Food pairing
Beer with gumbo
A dark-roux stew with a pronounced pepper and paprika character.
A dark roux gives it a toasted, almost bitter depth, over a pronounced pepper and paprika character and a long-cooked richness.
Caramel malt meets the roux and enough bitterness keeps the finish clean. The heat is usually moderate, which leaves more room than a hot curry would.
Gumbo narrows the field sharply, and one answer stands clear of the rest. Most beer falls down on at least one thing this dish demands. The attribute doing most of the work is aromatic spice.
What to drink
Tropical stout — outstanding
Deep malt character matches the savoury weight of the dish instead of sitting apart from it.
Caution: Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
Weizenbock — strong
Peppery and clove-like notes from the yeast pick up the warm spicing in the dish — the same aromatic family on both sides.
Caution: Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
Sweet stout — strong
Gentle sweetness and modest strength take the edge off the chilli rather than sharpening it.
Caution: Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
Rauchbier — strong
Beer and dish carry similar weight, so neither flattens the other.
Caution: Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
Bock — strong
Deep malt character matches the savoury weight of the dish instead of sitting apart from it.
Caution: Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
Czech dark lager — strong
Deep malt character matches the savoury weight of the dish instead of sitting apart from it.
Caution: Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
American amber ale — good pairing
A dark roux and heavy pepper want caramel malt to meet them and enough bitterness to keep the finish clean.
Caution: Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
Old ale — strong
Deep malt character matches the savoury weight of the dish instead of sitting apart from it.
Caution: Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
What not to drink
- Alcohol-free wheat beer — Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
- Alcohol-free pale lager — Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
- American barley wine — Delicate food needs a beer that stays out of its way.