If you are going to be enjoying a slice of pizza, it’s tough to think of a better pairing than with a cold glass of beer. Beer and pizza are often enjoyed together but knowing the proper pairing to go with deep dish pizza, thin crust pizza or exotic options like anchovies can help you to enhance the flavors even more. Here are some optimal pairings that you can enjoy with your favorite types of pizza:
Traditional pepperoni pizza: traditional pepperoni pizza is often paired with a malty beer option. Because of the spicy notes in the pepperoni, you can really complement these flavors with the caramel flavors you would get in an American Brown ale.
Classic cheese pizza: cheese pizza is a popular option for a quick bite or a more traditional slice. As this is often pizza in its simplest form, having a beer without too much bitterness can help you to enjoy the flavors and get all the cheese flavors. An American pale ale that is into hoppy will give you a slight taste of bitterness while you can still enjoy the cheese.
Meat lovers pizza: When you are eating plenty of bacon, sausage and meatballs all-in-one dish it’s usually best to pick out a beer that can offer a similar smoke. A darker Imperial pale ale or Porter that is aged in smoked barrels can really offer a strong backbone to the meats on the pizza.
Vegetarian pizza: traditional vegetarian pizza with peppers, spinach, tomato or broccoli is often paired with a very delicate beer. Being able to taste the notes of each vegetable is important and this is why a Summer Koslch is often one of the best options for pairing here.
Keep some of these top ideas in mind on the best beer you should be pairing with each pizza slice. Any of these options could be a great idea if you want to make sure you can enjoy a quality beer with a quality slice.
This post was written by Shan Bakrac, owner of Top Slice Pizzeria. Top Slice Pizzeria is a St Pete pizza place with over 35 years of experience, and the best ingredients on the market to make the freshest pizza! If you’re in the Downtown St. Pete area come on in, place an order for pickup or find us on Uber EATS!