In Austin, a city known for its vibrant craft beer culture, the notion of pairing food with beer is gaining traction.
While traditional pairings have largely centered around wine, local breweries are changing the narrative by focusing on how their brews complement the diverse offerings in the city’s dining scene.
Will Jaquiss, the founder and brewmaster of Meanwhile Brewing, emphasizes the joy of beer pairings, stating, “Pairing beer with food is fun!”
Jaquiss points out that beer’s versatility makes it a forgiving partner for various dishes.
This adaptability is echoed by other craft brewers in Austin, who are keen on designing their beer styles with food pairings in mind.
Taylor Ziebarth, founder of Oddwood Brewing, explains their approach: “All of our beers take into account our food menu, our atmosphere, and the two weather seasons we have here in Austin.”
Ziebarth shares that they aim for beers that have a lighter malt profile and higher carbonation levels, which enhance the flavors of their pizzas—a timeless favorite among locals.
Understanding the nuances of food is crucial in beer crafting, according to Patrick Clark, co-founder of Zilker Brewing.
Clark believes that collaborations between brewers and chefs enhance the dining experience by creating harmonious pairings.
To achieve this, Clark’s team collaborates closely with culinary partners to craft beers that complement rather than overpower the food.
A notable example of this collaboration is Zilker Icy Boys, a Japanese-style rice lager developed to accompany the dynamic flavors of Spicy Boys Fried Chicken, a popular food truck.
Clark notes that the development of Icy Boys involved multiple test batches to hit the right balance—a clean lager that cools the heat from the fried chicken’s bold spices.
Another brewery that shares a similar ethos is St. Elmo Brewing, which produces beers specifically intended to pair with certain dishes.
Founder Bryan Winslow distinguishes between complementing and contrasting flavors in food and drink.
He highlights their beer, Carl, as a versatile option that pairs seamlessly with a variety of cuisines.
Recently, St. Elmo collaborated with LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue to create Smoke on the Lager, a lightly smoked amber lager crafted to enhance the dining experience alongside rich barbecue flavors.
Winslow expresses enthusiasm for the creative process of developing this beer, noting how enjoyable it is to create with like-minded partners in the culinary field.
Oddwood Brewing also finds itself embracing the partnership model, featuring the KG BBQ trailer on-site.
This setup allows them to produce collaboration beers infused with flavors such as pomegranate, aiming for a food-friendly drinking experience.
Ziebarth reveals how their beer selections have been deliberately developed to harmonize with the spicy, flavorful nature of KG BBQ’s menu.
For example, a spicy, crunchy pepperoni pizza pairs beautifully with Oddwood’s house German pilsner, showcasing how beer can complement food in thoughtful ways.
Pinthouse Brewing, known for both its brewery and pizza, emphasizes maintaining flavor harmony between its diverse beer selection and the dishes served.
Jacob Passey, Pinthouse’s VP of brewing, shares how the bitterness from IPAs cuts through the richness of pizza, offering a delightful experience for diners.
He stresses the importance of crafting approachable and sessionable beer styles that encourage repeat visits from patrons.
All these breweries share a common goal: to elevate beer pairings in Austin to the same level of reverence typically reserved for wine pairings.
Will Jaquiss believes there is a unique opportunity for the city to share its story through these pairings.
He remarks, “We’ve got one of the best food and beer cities in the country, and Austin is filled with food- and beer-literate folks.”
Jaquiss concludes that this knowledgeable community fosters an environment ripe for creativity and experimentation between beers and food.
The collaborative spirit shared among the brewing and dining communities allows for innovative pairings that highlight the best of what Austin has to offer.
In a city that celebrates its craft beer culture, the future looks bright for beer and food pairings that capture the essence of local culinary artistry.
image source from：austinchronicle
