Popular Pizza Toppings And Beer Pairings
Pairing the best beer with pizza can be a tricky task – there’s no one-size-fits-all rule.
The classic Margherita pizza pairs nicely with Saison Dupont, Weihenstephaner Pilsner, and Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA for those who prefer an IPA style.
If you’re going all out on your Pepperoni pizza night, opt for New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale or Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale — two tasty options sure to please any crowd.
For something lighter and fruitier, reach for a Kona Big Wave Golden Ale if you’re topping your Hawaiian pizza with pineapple and ham—it’ll cut through the sweet fruit flavoring beautifully.
On the other hand, spicy pepperoni pizzas scream out for those more hop-forward concoctions ideally suited towards dealing with such heat bursts head-on via Stone IPA classics like Unibroue La Fin Du Monde or Aecht Schlenkerla Maerzen Rauchbier.
These brews will never let you down even when faced with having to wage war against piles of hot peppers sprawling about complaining crusts muddled in red sauces armies!
Finally, if White Pizza its always wise to go back basics; things brewed inside Teutonic states can make suitable selections here thanks to Hoegaarden Whites effortlessly glue
Classic Margherita Pizza:
The classic Margherita pizza pairs especially well with light and refreshing beers like Saison Dupont, Weihenstephaner Pilsner, and Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA.
Saison Dupont
Saison Dupont is one of the best beers for pairing with classic Margherita pizza. Brought to life in 1844, this saison beer has been crafted by generations of brewers in Belgian city Tourpes.
Saison Dupont presents a fruity smell, specifically apparent as pear, peach, or citrus notes with slight woodiness and subtle spicy fragrance. When drunk it gives off aromas of freshly-baked bread crusts and touches on tangy hay-like uplands due to its bright golden hue filtered through natural yeast pathways.
Weihenstephaner Pilsner
Weihenstephaner Pilsner is an excellent beer to pair with a classic margherita pizza. It’s light, crisp flavor and malt backbone are the perfect complement for this simple yet delicious style of pizza – one that features tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil.
This pilsner beer can also be used to enjoyfully accompany other types of pizzas as well. A slightly hoppy lager like the Weihenstephaner Pilsner pairs well with topping-packed pies such as the pepperoni or supreme chicken pizzas, while its sweetness complements a Hawaiian pizza nicely.
Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA
Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA is designed to showcase the complex flavors of hops. It has a big, bold hop aroma and flavor with notes of citrus, pine and herbal character that linger throughout each sip.
Torpedo is also quite bitter which helps to balance out the richness of classic Margherita pizza toppings like fresh mozzarella cheese. The lingering bitterness also helps cut through the sweetness of high-quality tomato sauce and fresh basil – two ingredients fundamental to this Italian favorite.
This beer is brewed using “whole cone hops” meaning their cones are harvested at peak moisture content during harvest season and then separated into hop pellets for preservation until used in brewing – preserving those unique hop oils without introducing extra tannin or harshness from unmanaged storage conditions.
Pepperoni Pizza:
Pair a pepperoni pizza with an American Pale Ale or a Brown Ale for a flavorful combination of hop bitterness and salty toppings.
New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale is a benchmark beer among craft beer lovers, popular for its malty sweetness and subtle hop balance. This Belgian-style ale has an assertive albeit balanced depth of flavor, with notes of toffee, biscuit and light fruit in the aroma and taste.
Its richness also makes it perfect for pairing with food like steak, pork or lamb. But perhaps most popularly, this amber ale pairs wonderfully with pizza – especially pepperoni pizzas!
With its sweet but hoppy flavor profile, Fat Tire’s malt backbone elevates the savory umami flavors in thick tomato sauce and greasy slices of pepperoni pie making it one of the top beers to pair with this type of pizza.
First brewed in 1988 by former brewer Jeff Lebesch at New Belgium Brewing Co., it soon took off as a classic American craft brew favorite after hitting shelves nationwide in 1991.
In fact, several years later Fat Tire was awarded two gold medals at the World Beer Cup which solidified its status as an extraordinary amber ale prized around America (and beyond).
Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale
Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale is a popular beer for pairing with pepperoni pizza. An American Pale Ale style, this brew has crisp citrus hops and sweet malty caramel notes that perfectly compliment the savory and salty flavors of the meat topping.
The bitterness in the hops balance out the rich texture of this classic pie while its carbonation helps to cut through some of its fattiness.
Newcastle Brown Ale
Originally crafted in England, Newcastle Brown Ale has become one of the most popular beers to pair with pizza.
This beloved beer is renowned for its smooth, malty flavor and slight sweetness that balances out the intense flavors found in many pizzas.
Look no further than this malty brown ale for those looking for an ideal pairing option for pepperoni or spicy sausage slices.
The smoothness of this brew makes it a fitting accompaniment for many types of pizzas because it does not overpower the bold flavor profiles typical of these dishes—rather, it complements them perfectly.
Hawaiian Pizza:
For Hawaiian Pizza, Paulaner Hefe-Weizen, Kona Big Wave Golden Ale and Westmalle Trappist Tripel make excellent beer pairings.
Paulaner Hefe-Weizen
Paulaner Hefe-Weizen is a classic German wheat beer, brewed with 50% malted barley and 50% wheat malt. It has a unique aroma of banana and clove from the yeast used in brewing.
Despite its robust flavor profile, it’s light on bitterness so it won’t overpower your pizza toppings.
For meaty pizzas, Paulaner Hefe-Weizen can stand up to heavier flavors like pepperoni or sausage without overwhelming them due to its low bitterness level!
Plus, the yeasty sweetness of this beer brings out different nuances in savory ingredients like ham or chorizo—perfect for topping combos like Hawaiian pizza or other creative options with multiple meats.
Kona Big Wave Golden Ale
Kona Big Wave Golden Ale is the perfect pairing for Hawaiian pizza. This beer has a light-bodied and citrus hop aroma that complements the sweet pineapple and smoky bacon flavours of this classic pizza topping combination.
Since it’s an easy-drinking and year-round refreshing ale, it makes an ideal choice to pair with any type of pizza – especially the Hawaiian variety.
With its malty bock base, the Kona Big Wave Golden Ale also pairs nicely with a traditional crust, while its notable sweetness adds just enough balance to cut through any sharpness or spiciness in other toppings such as jalapenos or olives.
Westmalle Trappist Tripel
Westmalle Trappist Tripel is the quintessential pairing for pizza, thanks to its combination of complexity, strength and balance. The beer itself is a classic Belgian dark-gold colored strong ale brewed in the famous monastery at Westmalle.
It has an impressive ABV of 9.5% and offers flavors of spicy fruitcake, dried apricot and orange peel with subtle hop aromas and higher carbonation than other styles of beer.
The brewing tradition found in monasteries like that at Westmalle dates back centuries. Trappist beers have long been known for their high quality due to their complex recipes and strict adherence to traditional brewing processes combined with state-of-the art technology used today.
Vegetarian Pizza:
This pizza pairs best with a Belgian Witbier, to bring out the flavors of its vegetables and herbs.
Chimay Premeir Red
Chimay Premeir Red is the perfect beer to pair with pizza. This dark ale has a sweet, fruity taste that balances out the richness of cheese and spice of pepperoni, while its deep color makes it visually appealing as well.
The Chimay Premier Red is also smooth and velvety on the palate – making it ideal for those looking for an easy-to-drink pairing for their favorite slice. This beer pairs especially well with classic pizzas such as Margherita or Pepperoni, where its sweet fruitiness complements the acidity from tomato sauce and salt from cured meats.
The Chimay Premier Red can be delicious paired with vegetarian pizzas too, like those topped with olive oil, roasted vegetables and mushrooms; its sweetness helps cut through strong flavors found in white sauces or creamy cheeses often used in these types of recipes.
Three Floyds Brewing Gumballhead
Gumballhead from Three Floyds Brewing Company has become a beer pairing staple since its release in 2005. This American Pale Wheat Ale pours beautifully with a huge fluffy head, beautiful golden straw color and elusive sediment.
True to its name, the ale is aromatic with fruity esters of citrus and melon-like hops, while notes of biscuit malt create an enticingly balanced flavor that appeals to even the most hoppy challenged palette.
Due to its mild bitterness and clean finish, this wheat ale pairs nicely with pizza without overwhelming it’s flavors or toppings. It works especially well when combined with fresh basil on Margherita pizzas or smoked sausage for meat lovers pies; this brew brings out all the tasty nuances of cheese like no other style can!
A true craft pioneer, Three Floyds draws loyal customers from across the region looking for unique beer offerings and innovative flavors – Gumballhead doesn’t disappoint on either front!
Founders Breakfast Stout
Founders Breakfast Stout is an imperial stout with a rich chocolate and coffee flavor. It’s brewed using flaked oats, two coffee beans – Kona and Sumatra – and bitter and imported chocolates.
This beer has an alcohol content of 8.3% by volume, with a sweet but strong malt character balanced by firm hop bitterness characteristic to stouts. It pairs beautifully with savory pizzas such as Margherita or Hawaiian toppings (which includes pineapple).
The complex flavors in the beer blend perfectly with the cheese and sweetness of the pizza sauce and toppings.
Meat Lovers Pizza:
A slightly hoppier style, such as Sierra Nevada Summerfest or St, is the perfect beer to pair with a meat lover’s pizza.
Sierra Nevada Summerfest
Sierra Nevada Summerfest is a light, easy-drinking pale lager that pairs brilliantly with pizza. With an ABV of 4.5%, this beer gives off earthy and grassy aroma while the flavor profile consists of sweet bready malt as well as herbal and fruity hops.
The crisp finish makes it ideal for summer days, meanwhile, its slight carbonation helps to cut through heavy pizzas like meat lovers or spicy pepperoni without being overpowering in terms of taste or alcohol content.
Additionally, the Beer Advocate ratings give Sierra Nevada Summerfest a solid 85/100 for its overall balance and complexity, making this beer the perfect companion for any type of pizza – from classic margherita all the way up to high-maintenance specialty pies.
St. Bernardus Abt 12
St. Bernardus Abt 12 is a Belgian dark quadrupel beer with a higher than average alcohol content of 10% ABV. Brewed in Achouffe, Belgium since 1946, this classic brew has a rich deep purple color and creamy texture that sets it apart from other beers.
The beer is well-known for its complex taste profile with notes of clove, banana, caramel and bubblegum that can pair perfectly with the richness of Meat Lovers Pizza toppings like sausage and pepperoni.
St. Bernardus Abt 12 has also been recognized for its excellence – earning awards such as World’s Best Dark Beer at the World Beer Awards 2015–2016 and Gold Medal winner at the European Beer Star 2017–2018 competitions to name some accolades.
The combination of meaty pizza flavors together with St.
North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout
is a dark and bitter Russian Imperial Stout with robust roasted malt and coffee flavors. The beer is crafted in Fort Bragg, California by the North Coast Brewing Co. It has a deep mahogany color with a smooth burnt sugar aroma that comes from its high malty sweetness level.
This full bodied beer also brings notes of cocoa, dried fruit, molasses, earthy hops, fresh bread crusts and toast to the table – all great pairings for your favorite meat lovers pizza!
The immense flavor depth holds up against many pizza toppings making it ideal for any topping combination you may choose – but it pairs especially well with delicious pepperoni slices due to its bitter finish which cuts through the richness of fat.
Spicy Pizza:
Stone IPA, Unibroue La Fin Du Monde, and Aecht Schlenkerla Maerzen Rauchbier are all good beer choices to pair with a spicy pizza as their strong flavors can hold up against the heat of the pepperoni.
Stone IPA
Stone IPA is the perfect beer for a spicy pizza, as its bold hoppy flavors contrast perfectly with the sweet sauce and cheese. Offering moderate ABV at 6.9 percent, this India Pale Ale delivers plenty of hop bitterness that complements the spiciness of pepperoni or jalapeno slices and offsets any sweetness in gratinated cheese toppings.
Its distinct character also stands up to intense spices like Tabasco or fiery harissa with ease.
Unibroue La Fin Du Monde
Unibroue La Fin Du Monde is a Tripel style beer that is created and brewed in Quebec, Canada. Its popularity and reputation as one of the top beers brewed in North America make it always worth considering when pairing beer with pizza.
It’s unique blend of citrus, pine aromas, and herbal/spicy characteristics make it an ideal match for Mediterranean food like pork and pungent cheeses such as Gorgonzola or Limburger — but more importantly here, spicy pizza!
The combination of its balance between hops and malt along with subtle spices like coriander, cloves, cardamom create a perfect harmony to bring out all the flavors from any type of pizza topping.
This makes La Fin Du Monde an excellent choice for spice level pizzas or even white pizzas featuring olives or fresh basil.
Aecht Schlenkerla Maerzen Rauchbier
is a classic German smoked beer and one of the top recommendations for pairing with spicy pizza. This particularly aromatic and flavourful style of beer has been around since 1390, making it an excellent choice when you are looking to find the perfect accompaniment for your slice.
With its smoky aroma and flavor that combines perfectly with the heat of chili peppers, jalapenos or pepperoni toppings, Aecht Schlenkerla Maerzen Rauchbier will help augment and amplify any pizza-eating experience.
White Pizza:
A rich, creamy white pizza can be brought to life by pairing it with a zesty Belgian Witbier or an effervescent German Hefeweizen.
Hoegaarden White
Hoegaarden White is a great beer to pair with white pizza. It is a Belgian-style ale brewed with coriander, orange peel and other spices creating a crisp and refreshing flavor profile.
The carbonation creates balance while the natural sweetness of the wheat malt cuts through some of the rich flavors found in white pizzas, like cheese and garlic. This light yet flavorful 4.9 ABV beer showcases its spice character but also remains lively on your palate for an enjoyable drinking experience.
Hoegaarden’s moderate bitterness helps to offset any overly-rich ingredients like cream or ricotta cheeses, allowing you to fully enjoy all of your favorite toppings without overpowering your mouthfeel with heavy flavors from dark beers or ales suited for heartier meal choices.
Boulevard Tank 7 American Saison
Boulevard Tank 7 is an American-style Saison beer from Boulevard Brewing Company that has captured the attention of craft beer enthusiasts across America. Made with a unique wild yeast strain and a blend of Belgian malts and hops, it’s no surprise that this beer has grown to become so popular.
Tank 7 is known for its lively carbonation and subtle spice notes in both aroma and flavor. These inviting smells pair well with white pizza toppings such as olive, basil, creamy cheese, or Canadian bacon.
The combination helps to highlight what makes each component special without overwhelming either one – allowing you to truly appreciate both together. It also pairs nicely with spicy pepperoni pizzas too! Its slightly bitter taste brings out the spiciness of the pepperoni while providing enough body to cut through some of its heat.
Erdinger Hefeweizen
Erdinger Hefeweizen is a classic Bavarian wheat beer that hails from the Erdinger Brewery in Germany. This golden-colored, light and refreshing beer has an alcohol volume of 5.3%.
It’s brewed using low-calorie barley malt and four types of aromatic hops for a distinctively fruity aroma and bitter but balanced taste.
This special beer offers perfect balance when paired with white pizza because its nice malty nuances tend to stand out against the lighter flavors associated with this type of pie – olive oil, cheese such as mozzarella or ricotta, garlic butter base or cream sauce are all complemented perfectly by the sweet fruitiness that characterizes Erdinger Hefeweizen.
Not too heavy on hops or bitterness, it also helps to boost the savory notes of tomatoes put into some versions if included.
Beer with Pizza Pairing Tips
When looking to pair your favorite pizza with the perfect beer, it is important to take into consideration a variety of factors. Intensity of flavors and carbonation levels between different beers and pizzas should be balanced for an ideal pairing.
Keep in mind too that there should also be some harmony between the acidity and sweetness of your toppings, and the bitterness or fruitiness present in certain beers.
Pairing white pizzas such as simple margherita calls for crisp lagers or wheat beers like Hoegaarden White or Erdinger Hefeweizen which provide a light fruitness while still allowing some complexity on the palate – particularly when balancing out sweet tomatoes or onions with their subtle hops.
Alternatively, try something dark like St. Bernardus Abt 12 alongside more savory pies loaded with meats like sausage, bacon and peppers; this Belgian dubbel will nicely complement those rich umami flavors without overpowering them at all.
Non-Alcoholic Beer And Pizza Pairings
For those that don’t prefer alcohol, non-alcoholic beer options are an excellent way to experience flavors and aromas when pairing beers with pizza.
Best Non-alcoholic Beer Options For Pairing With Pizza
Many people may not realize that non-alcoholic beer options are available in addition to regular beer when it comes to pairing with pizza.
This makes perfect sense, since variety is the spice of life – why limit yourself to just one type of drink? Plus, non-alcoholic beers offer great benefits as an accompaniment to your pizza night.
Non-alcoholic beers are lower in calories than regular beer, they don’t have a heavy or bitter taste like many craft brews do, and they can pair surprisingly well with different types of pizzas.
Beer and pizza go hand in hand; however choosing which kind of beer pairs best can be tricky because there are so many options! Here are some suggestions for the best non-alcoholic beers for different types of pizzas:
1. Margherita Pizza:
Clausthaler Classic Non Alcoholic Beer pairs perfectly with this classic cheese topping combination thanks to its light hops flavor and citrus notes bringing out the nuances in traditional mozzarella cheese and fresh basil flavors
2. Vegetarian Pizza:
Maisel’s Weisse Non Alcoholic Hefeweizen features robust banana aromas that work well against lighter toppings such as roasted peppers or zucchini slices on this style slice
3. Spicy Pepperoni Pizza:
Stouts & Ales Original gives a sweet caramel maltiness without overwhelming heat from spicy toppings making it a great match
4 . Hawaiian Pizza :
Erdinger Weissbier Isotonic offers hints of orange blossom aroma that gels beautifully with pineapple when added along other savory ingredients like ham providing balance between sweetness and saltiness
Factors To Consider When Pairing Beer And Pizza
When selecting the ideal beer pairing for your pizza, it is important to consider factors such as intensity of beer flavors, acidity and sweetness of pizza toppings, carbonation levels in the beer, and appropriate serving temperatures.
Intensity Of Beer Flavors
When it comes to finding the perfect beer pairing for pizza, intensity of beer flavor plays an important role. Beer styles like India Pale Ales (IPAs) and Imperial Stouts are often too intense in flavor to pair with certain kinds of pizza such as white pizzas or delicate Margherita pizzas.
Instead, lighter lagers and blond ales can be better options when paired with these simpler parchment style pies. Additionally, a spicy pepperoni pizza may benefit more from a strong flavored stout than a light colored ale while other aggressive flavors may need craft beers that have been brewed specifically to accompany those toppings.
Acidity And Sweetness Of Pizza Toppings
Pairing beer with pizza can be a tricky affair, and when making selections one of the most important factors to consider is the acidity and sweetness of your toppings.
Sweet ingredients such as pineapple or Canadian bacon will typically pair well with light-bodied wheat beers that have slightly sweet, fruity notes.
When creating your own pairing experiment it’s essential to take into account how an ingredient’s level of sweetness or acidity changes from topping to topping.
For instance, a Hawaiian pizza might benefit from a Paulaner Hefe-Weizen due to its unique balance between adequate hoppiness for tomato sauce and fruitiness for pineapple – achieving harmony between complementary ingredients; meanwhile fresh basil leaves on top of your Margherita slice suggest that a Torpedo Extra IPA could bring out their intense herbacious aroma without overpowering them.
Carbonation Levels In Beer
Higher carbonation levels are often better for pizzas featuring robust toppings, such as spicy sausage or pepperoni, since they help cut through the richness of the cheese and tomato sauce.
On the other hand, lower carbonation levels work better with lighter pizzas that have milder toppings.
For example, a smooth pilsner will allow the light flavor of mozzarella cheese and fresh basil to shine on a classic margherita pizza. In contrast, an IPA would overwhelm this delicate combo with its hoppiness.
Serving Temperatures
When it comes to beer and pizza pairing, one must take into consideration the ideal temperature at which the beer should be served. Serving temperatures can play an important role in enhancing or detracting from both beer and pizza flavors when paired.
For instance, if you are serving a light wheat ale with a margarita pizza, then neither will stand out as they need cooler temperatures (below 45F).
Generally speaking, lighter beers such as Pilsners go well with food that isn’t heavy on flavoring or spices – for example toppings like pepperoni don’t necessarily need to be paired with overly hoppy brews.
Belgian ales are great selections for particularly flavorful pizzas such as those topped with sausage and scattered smoked schlenkerla emit their smoky hints best when served slightly warmer than other styles at 50-55F degrees.
Stronger beers usually demand higher temperatures while still remaining lower than room temperature (up to 65F) allowing more of the subtle nuances within their profiles to become distinguishable by your palate.
What beers go best with pizza?
Generally speaking, a light lager or wheat beer such as pilsners, hefeweizens and lagers pair well with traditional pizzas due to their crispness that counteracts rich flavors found in classic pies like margherita or pepperoni.
How do I choose what kind of beer goes best with my pizza?
If you’re looking for an all-around good match, start by matching lighter styles (lager/wheat) with classic cheese/pepperoni combos which tend not to require highly flavorful beers in order achieve balance – however adding bolder ingredients changes this equation so experimenting could yield unexpected results
Are there specific types of beer that don’t go well together with certain types of pizza?
Generally speaking, high-hop content brews typically don’t jive well with heartier dishes as they can overpower subtle notes from meats & seasoning components thus resulting in an unfavorable taste combination
Final Take on Pairing Pizza with Beer
Pairing the right beer with your pizza can be a tricky task and requires some experimentation.
But it can also be very rewarding. The key is understanding which flavors pair best and having an idea of the intensity levels and carbonation of each type of beer to help find that perfect pairing.
When determining what goes best with your pizza topping, pay attention to all the different types of notes in every beer you try – bitterness, sweetness, hoppy notes, malty qualities etc.
A basic rule for selecting beers for pizza is that lighter beers go better with light toppings like vegetables or cheese-based pizzas; while dark beers pair perfectly with sausage, pepperoni and other hearty toppings such as mushrooms or olives.
Cheers!
