The Best Beers for Wings: Our Top Picks
Wings are spicy, sticky and moreish, so you want a beer that both cools the heat and stands up to a punchy sauce. A hoppy pale ale or IPA is the move, with a crisp lager for the ones who want it easy. Here are four.
| Beer | Style | Our rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell’s Two Hearted Ale | American IPA | 4.8/5 | Hot, saucy wings |
| Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA | American IPA | 4.4/5 | Cutting through fat |
| Modelo Especial | Mexican Lager | 4.0/5 | Cooling the heat |
| New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale | Amber Ale | 4.1/5 | A malty middle ground |
Buffalo wings are fat, heat and vinegar in one bite. A hoppy IPA cuts the grease, a crisp lager cools the burn. Pick your fighter.
The Best Beers for Wings, Reviewed
Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
The wing beer. This balanced IPA has the citrus-pine punch to match a buffalo sauce and cool the burn at the same time. Read the full Bell’s Two Hearted Ale review.
- Big Centennial citrus hops
- Smooth for its strength
- One of the top-rated IPAs
- Too hoppy for lager fans
- 7% ABV sneaks up on you
Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA
A bolder IPA for the seriously hot wings, with enough hop to keep pace with the heat. Read the full Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA review.
- Big piney citrus hops
- Bold but balanced
- 7.2% ABV depth
- Very bitter
- Not for casual drinkers
Modelo Especial
When the wings are fiery, a crisp cold lager is the easiest way to put out the fire. Read the full Modelo Especial review.
- Crisp and clean
- Cuts through chilli heat
- Cheap and everywhere
- Light body
- Not for bold-flavour fans
New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
Its toasty malt is a lovely match for a sweet-and-sticky BBQ or honey-garlic wing. Read the full New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale review.
- Biscuit malt with light hops
- Nicely balanced
- Easy craft option
- Middle of the road
- Less exciting than it once was
The rack for crispy wings
Wings piled on a tray steam each other soft. A wing rack stands them up so the heat gets all the way round for an even, crispy finish.
Wings and Beer: FAQs
What beer goes with wings?
A hoppy IPA or a crisp lager. Bell\’s Two Hearted cuts through the fat and sauce, while Modelo Especial cools the heat if the wings are fiery.
What beer goes with fried chicken?
Similar rules apply. We go deeper in our fried chicken guide.
Related pairings: beer with fried chicken, beer for beer can chicken, beer for a BBQ.
