Food pairing
Beer with veggie burger
A grain or legume patty in a bun, with the char and salt of its meat counterpart and less fat.
A grain or legume patty in a bun brings the char and salt of its meat counterpart with much less fat, and usually more seasoning. It is a lighter pairing problem than a beef burger and a differently shaped one — less to cut through, more spice to accommodate.
That leaves the field open. A little malt sweetness for the char and enough carbonation for the bun both help, but nothing here rules much out, and the toppings and sauce will decide more than the patty does.
Veggie burger does not constrain the beer much: nothing clashes and nothing is clearly best. Drink what you like, or choose for the sauce, the seasoning or the sides, which will decide more than the dish itself.
What to drink
Belgian golden strong ale — strong
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
Caution: Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
Belgian IPA — strong
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
Tripel — strong
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
American stout — strong
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
American wild ale — strong
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
Caution: Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
Black IPA — strong
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
Australian sparkling ale — strong
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
Caution: Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
India pale lager — strong
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
Caution: Expect the beer to refresh rather than to stand up to the food.
What not to drink
- Imperial stout — Delicate food needs a beer that stays out of its way.
- Alcohol-free pale lager — A light beer against a heavy plate tends to disappear.
- Doppelbock — Delicate food needs a beer that stays out of its way.