Pairings

5 great matches with IPA

To mark our first beer competition I thought I'd post my top matches with what I think is probably my favourite style of beer (though I'm always changing my mind depending on what I'm eating!) For more features on beer and food pairing check out the beer and cider section in Food with Drink (see menu on left).

Of course it depends what type of IPA you're talking about. A relatively light style will lead you in a slightly different direction from a huge hoppy double IPA, but these I think would be my top 5.

1) Curry
Loose term but as a general match for mild-medium hot Indian food I don't think you can beat an IPA. A lighter, more refreshing style though.

2) Beer-can chicken
The spicy rub calls for a bit more ooomph than a straight pale ale. Thornbridge's Raven Black IPA, which I tasted at the Great British Beer Festival last year, would be ace.

3) Pork belly
And other roast pork joints of course. Brilliant with a slightly richer style like Goose Island

4) Chargrilled steaks
Again, particularly suits the richer, American styles like Kernel's. (So do burgers, of course.)

5) Mature cheddar cheese
Sometimes causes problems for red wines but not for strong hoppy IPAs like Hardknott's Queboid. (They're great with proper artisan cheese toasties made with sourdough bread too.)

What are your favourite pairings for IPA?

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