The Best Beers for Fish and Chips: Our Top Picks
Fish and chips wants a crisp, clean beer that cuts through the batter and the grease. You do not need anything fancy, just cold and refreshing. These four are all proper chippy-tea beers.
| Beer | Style | Our rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuller’s London Pride | English Bitter | 4.7/5 | The proper pub match |
| Beck’s | German Pilsner | 3.5/5 | A crisp, clean lager |
| Heineken | Euro Pale Lager | 3.5/5 | An everyday option |
| Bass Pale Ale | English Pale Ale | 4.2/5 | A classic English ale |
Fish and chips is a British classic, so pour a British beer. A proper pub ale or a crisp lager both cut the batter and vinegar.
The Best Beers for Fish and Chips, Reviewed
Fuller’s London Pride
The traditional English choice. Its light bitterness cuts the fat of the batter and the malt suits the fish. Read the full Fuller’s London Pride review.
- Rich malt with marmalade hops
- Superb balance
- A classic English ale
- Low on fizz
- Not for dedicated lager drinkers
Beck’s
A crisp German lager with a clean bite that refreshes between forkfuls of batter and chips. Read the full Beck’s review.
- Crisp pilsner bite
- Widely available
- Clean, dry finish
- Unremarkable on its own
- Slight tinny note from the bottle
Heineken
Simple, cold and fizzy, which is exactly what a plate of fish and chips asks for. Read the full Heineken review.
- Crisp and consistent
- Available everywhere
- A mild hop note
- Can skunk in the green bottle
- Fairly plain
Bass Pale Ale
A biscuity English pale ale that adds a bit of character without fighting the vinegar. Read the full Bass Pale Ale review.
- Balanced malt and hops
- Classic English character
- Easy to pair with food
- Less punchy than modern pales
- Can taste a little dated
The secret to a crisp, greaseless fry
The difference between soggy and crisp is oil temperature. A stainless deep fry thermometer keeps you in the zone for that golden batter.
Fish and Chips and Beer: FAQs
What beer goes with fish and chips?
A crisp lager or a classic English ale. Beck\’s keeps it light and clean, while Fuller\’s London Pride adds proper pub character.
Lager or ale with fish and chips?
Lager for pure refreshment, ale for more flavour. If you are frying at home, check our beer batter guide first.
Related pairings: beer for beer batter, beer with fish, beer with seafood.
