Thai fishcakes and witbier

Although I'm not one of those who is resolutely against pairing wine with spicy food there are definitely occasions when beer goes at least as well, if not better and this is one of them.

Cloudy, fragrant Belgian witbiers like Hoegaarden provide a perfect counterpoint to the sharp, zesty flavours of lime, coriander, garlic and chilli. In fact they'll also go with noodles and Thai salads and even - just about - Thai green curries. German Hefeweizen and Weisse beers, which are similar in style, work well too as do American wheatbeers such as the funky Flying Dog In Heat Wheat - see www.flyingdogales.com