You don’t have to be a beer geek to enjoy a good brew.

And, with the range and variety out there, there’s something for everyone.

It’s also changed the way that we drink beer and what we drink it with. Before, when there were just a handful of choices, you ordered a beer and had it with whatever you were eating.

It’s now possible to pair certain types of beer with different foods to bring out the best in both.

According to WebstaurantStore, rather than seeking out specific food pairings, it’s better to work according to flavours.

Here’s an overview:

• Light lagers: Spicy food, Mexican food, burgers, salads, fish, French fries, noodles
• Wheat beers: fruity desserts
• India pale ales (IPAs): Steak and braai
• Amber ales: Pizza, fried food, smoked pork
• Dark lagers: Pizza, burgers, hearty stews
• Brown ales: Sausage, sushi, fish
• Porters: Seafood, coffee-flavoured desserts, game meats
• Stouts: Chocolate desserts and shellfish

The beer that pairs well with most foods appears to be the light lager. This makes sense, because it’s the beer with the lightest, crispest flavour. Heavy beers need to be paired with foods that won’t be overpowered by a hoppy or bitter taste.

If you’re a fan of spicy and/or Mexican food, light beers are the perfect companion. That’s why Mexican beer is commonly a light lager.

The hard part, with that range and variety I mentioned earlier, is finding the one that works for you, because not all light lagers are created equal.

The Takeout’s Kate Bernot recently did a blind tasting of a range of Mexican beers, both craft and commercial, to determine the best Mexican beer on the market.

Sol Beer came out on top, unsurprisingly, as it has embodied the authentic essence of Mexico since 1899.

It’s also a celebration of freedom and a reminder to look on the bright side of life. Sol literally means ‘sun’, which is reflected in the light golden colour and refreshing taste of the beer.

It’s basically sunshine in a bottle.

So if you want to take the stress out of food and beer pairing by opting for the perfect companion to a range of meals, you can’t go wrong with Sol.

Just don’t be too pretentious about it, because nobody likes a smug know-it-all.

[source:webstaurantstore]