Beer or Wine – The Perfect BBQ Pairing?
As a foodie and an admirer of both craft beer and fine wines, I often wonder what the perfect food pairing is. What follows is a monthly debate on just that. Once a month I’ll toss out a food for pairing suggestions from my fellow beer geeks and wine nerds. Some dishes will come with a convention that popular opinion dictates a specific pairing. Other posts will present a dish that is a toss-up between beer or wine. I look forward to hearing your suggestions in this conversation. Be creative, challenge norms, have fun, and check back often to read what others have to say.
This month’s beer or wine challenge is dedicated to the age-old tradition of the summer BBQ. What’s better than a day on the lake or at the pool than coming home to some piping hot BBQ ribs that have been slow cooking all day? That tangy BBQ sauce that says summer is here. Those mouthwatering sides like collard greens, mac-and-cheese, and sweet potatoes that are only meant to pair with BBQ. My stomach is grumbling just writing this post. A meal that begs to be finished with the perfect quencher. What is your perfect beer or wine pairing with fresh off the ‘cue slab of ribs?
BBQ Ribs – What is your perfect beer or wine pairing?
Ice cold beer for me!
Any special latvian variety? Do they even have barbecue in Latvia?
Tsk tsk, they barbeque like maniacs! Shashliks are the order of the day pretty much every day during the summer – but especially for midsummer – fatty pork on a stick. Yum 😉 I like Tervetes beer – probably the best of the Latvian beers. That or Valmiermuiza! Ever heard of them??
Heard of them? I can’t even pronounce them!
🙂 Took me a while as well! And I still get ‘WHAT?’ a lot from bar staff!
First – thanks for the like on my grilled clams & swordfish. Now… to answer your question. A nice cold beer if I was eating what you cooked. Last night with my dinner, I had Sauvignon Blanc. Again, thanks for the support. Carmen Aida
You’re very welcome! Any particular beer that you would prefer?
I’m partial to Stella – especially when on tap. At home, I usually go for a light beer. When we go to the store, my husband is more game than me & will always give a try to most anything. Every year, we head up to Mt. Snow to their Oktoberfest (sp?) where they have a great selection of microbrews & tons of fun games. If you guys every need a good excuse to travel up north, that’s a great one. I used to go to N.C. w/ a buddy every year for Earth Day camping when I was in college. We’d find some place off the beaten trail & drink some beer that you could open using the bottom of another bottle – a Canadian brand. Forgot the name. Oh the good old days! Didn’t mean to write so much. Carmen Aida
A nice beer on a summer afternoon/evening…makes my day!
Okay Miss Healthy and Fit, are you a light beer only drinker? Or can you forgive calories of the tastier craft beer options?
Looks very yummy! My husband would definitely go for the beer but since I’m no beer drinker, I’ll prefer a very chilled rose or bubbly wine on a warm summer day to go with your delightful-looking bbq. 😉
Actually, we sipped a bubbly semi sweet wine from North Carolina with our barbecue. I normally prefer beer but wanted to try something different. It was refreshingly good with the spicy BBQ.
Wow, another tough one! I prefer beer, as bbq always goes with warm patio weather for me. But red wine is always good with red meat, and bbq’d variety is the best way to do that!
We have tried a few reds with BBQ in the past. The experience has been hit or miss. The strength of the BBQ flavors (spicy sauce, char, etc) can mask nuances of a red. I fruitier Pinot Noir went well as did North Carolina red blend with lots of tobacco and red dirt flavors. Yum.
Carmere (sp) “the lost Merlot” has been recently paired with BBQ. The smoke and the heavy tannins are just perfect to pair. Last real BBQ I had, Mac’s, paired the Pulled Pork with Blanco Diablo (Big Boss, Raleigh). I think that beer is light and since East Carolina BBQ isn’t heavy sauce, these two complement each other. Nice call on the bubbles and BBQ. Next time I do BBQ, going do what the French do drink Rose in the summer! These pairing posts are my favs.
Big Boss Blanco Diablo and Mac’s are two of my faves. Good choice, my friend!
Gotta go with beer for a BBQ. Shipyard Ale from Maine is summertime beer for me.
It seems like beer is becoming the clear winner.
Love that cartoon of the grapes and hops… As for pairing with a BBQ, if it’s wet, it fits.
AV