Many people ask, “Which is the best beer for cooking ribs?” The answer to this question is a bit more complicated than you might think. Obviously, there are many choices out there, but there are a few things you can look for in the perfect pairing. Here are a few of our favorites. These pairs will complement each other perfectly and will keep you coming back for more.
Is Beer Good To Cook Ribs In?
First, you should use the right type of beer for cooking ribs. Most people use dark beer. A pilsner or spicy Saison are good choices. Light beer is good for chicken, but if you’re serving ribs to your family, you’ll probably want something more subdued. A brown ale, on the other hand, is a great option. It will help the flavor of the meat shine through, and a pale ale will complement the sweetness of the ribs.
How To Use The Beer In Making Ribs
Cooking with beer gives savory meals like chili, soup, and stew a deep, earthy flavor, as well as baked products a nutty, caramelized flavor. It’s also fantastic for baking, braising, deglazing, battering, sauces, marinating, and boiling, among other things. Beer is bitter by nature due to the hops used in its production. The malt in beer, on the other hand, gives just enough natural sweetness to precisely balance the flavor.
Best Beers For Cooking Ribs
Here are some best beers for cooking ribs:
1. HefeWeizen
If you reside in Texas, you may already be familiar with this fantastic Austin-based brewery’s outstanding hefeweizen. This is the best American hefe, according to Texans, and it’s simple to see why. With aromas of banana, lemon, cloves, and coriander, as well as a hint of acidity, this is the perfect summer wine to serve with grilled chicken or seafood.
Features:
- Be a beer creator, not just a beer drinker! This craft beer kit transforms beer drinkers into makers, providing you with all of the independence, experience, and enjoyment that comes with brewing your own beer at home.
- This brewing kit allows you to make a smooth, refreshing Hefeweizen. This Bavarian wheat beer recipe kit has been fine-tuned and may be enjoyed all year.
- This beer maker starting set educates you about the art of brewing with our Craft a Brew Guide to Craft Brewing, which is designed to help first-timers and hobbyists alike get the most out of their beer experience.
2. Pale Ale
For a beer that will compliment ribs, the best choice is a pale ale. This type of beer is both rich and fruity, but not too fruity. You can also opt for a pilsner or a spicy Saison. This recipe is a great way to celebrate summertime, and grilling in your backyard is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Just make sure to choose the right beer to pair with your meat.
Features:
- Beer Ingredient Kit for Imperial Pale Ale
- 65 – 69 IBUs
- % ABV: 8.0-8.5
- OG: 1.081-1.085 OG: 1.081-1.085 OG: 1.081-1.085 OG
- Deep Amber in color.
3. Black Butte Porter
His beverage is unquestionably one of the best porters in the country, and it’s a strong contender for Deschutes’ best offering. Porters go well with grilled meat, especially when the tastes of rich, dark burnt chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt are present, as they are in Black Butte. The amazing thing about it is that it has a low alcohol content (5.2%) but packs a punch in terms of flavor. This superbly balanced porter should be your go-to if you enjoy a darker beer, especially to complement smokey meat from the grill.
Features:
- A traditional dark ale with chocolate and black specialty grains that have been de-bittered.
- This roasty, full-bodied beer has a well-balanced hops flavor.
- There are simple instructions included.
4. Shift Pale Lager
New Belgium is known for their inventive and often quirky Lips of Faith series, most notably for their standout sour La Folie and also for their traditional Fat Tire, but this great pale lager is the way to go for a grilling party. With a low alcohol content of only 5%, this is a beer for everyone at the BBQ, and it pairs well with a range of grilled foods. A refreshing combination of floral fruit hops and bready malt, almost like a pilsner, that might just become your new favorite.
Features:
- This larger pint glass is distinguished by its sleek angles. This unusually tall glass holds the head of your beer to enhance the scents of hops and malts and is designed to highlight the effervescence of lagers and other light beers.
- Your beer-drinking experience is enhanced by the sparkling lead-free crystal construction and attractive modern appearance. Pour your favorite lager or pilsner into this specialty glass to elevate your beer aficionado status.
5. Belgian Golden Ale
New Belgium is known for their inventive and often quirky Lips of Faith series, most notably for their standout sour La Folie and also for their traditional Fat Tire, but this great pale lager is the way to go for a grilling party. With a low alcohol content of only 5%, this is a beer for everyone at the BBQ, and it pairs well with a range of grilled foods. A refreshing combination of floral fruit hops and bready malt, almost like a pilsner, that might just become your new favorite.
Features:
- IBUs: 28-32 Belgian Golden Ale Ingredient Kit
- This ale is delicious, light, and well-rounded.
- Difficulty: Simple
Another choice is a stout. It’s a bit sweeter, but it has a fruity, hoppy flavor that’s great with ribs. A lager is also fine, although a light one will be a nice touch. If you’re going to go the beer route, choose a beer that’s not too bitter or too sweet. This style goes well with most types of meat, including ribs.
Conclusion
Choosing a beer that complements your ribs should be an easy decision. If you want to try a new beer, you can start by trying the brews you know and love. If you’re cooking ribs for the first time, you should try the first two you come across. A good brew will complement the ribs you’re cooking and make them more delicious.
