The art of pairing wine with food has existed for thousands of years and, when done correctly, can completely transform a meal.

But, with the number of craft breweries bubbling up across the country, the idea of pairing beer with our favorite meals has increased in popularity.

In backyards, ballparks, and burger joints, beer and food are enjoyed together without hesitation. So why not expand our pallet by pairing more of our favorite dishes with our favorite beers?

The point of pairing beer and food is to create a combination that balances the flavors of each.

We created a cheat sheet of popular dishes and their perfect beer pairings. With our recommendations, you'll be matching beer and food like a pro in no time.

How to Pair Your Favorite foods with your Favorite Beer

BBQ

To some people, especially in places such as Kansas City or Houston, BBQ is serious business. That's why choosing a beer accompaniment for BBQed brisket or pulled pork can make or break a meal.

Slow-smoked meats doused in tangy and rich barbeque sauces require a beer partner that can keep up! Darker beers with a citrus kick, such as Martin City Brewing Co's Radical Candor Double IPA, can match and even elevate the robust flavors of barbeque.

Photo courtesy of Martin City Brewing Company.

We suggest skipping very sweet brews when pairing with brown sugar and molasses–based BBQ sauces because this combo will create a sweetness overload.

However, if you are the pitmaster, we recommend enjoying the beer of your choice while you tend to the smoker!

Steak

Whether charred on the grill or pan-fried, steak is a staple of many American homes and restaurant menus, and it serves as a blank canvas for beer pairing. Almost every beer matches the flavor profile of steak. But depending on which cut of meat you're enjoying, some beers will have the edge over others.

A leaner cut of beef, such as filet mignon, is best served with a lighter-bodied beer such as a Stella Artois. But if you are digging into a ribeye steak, which typically has a little more fat and flavor, we recommend a stronger beer with a tart or bitter profile, such as the Tank 7 Saison from Boulevard Brewing Company.

Salad

Summertime dining isn't complete without a bright salad packed with crisp and fresh ingredients. So when you look in the fridge to find the perfect beer complement, reach for something that mimics a salad's refreshing character.

While enjoying a light and crisp salad, beer drinkers should be sipping on something that is equally light and crisp so as not to overpower the fresh flavors.

Leave the heavy beers, like stouts, in the cooler, and stick with a Hefeweizen or a run-of-the-mill amber ale. The Hefeweizen by KC Bier Co. isn't bitter and features a fruity flavor, which makes it a perfect pairing for your favorite salad.

Surf'n Surf

White wine is the de facto pairing for almost all seafood, but it's time to give beer a chance!

With so many fish flavors and modes of preparation in the sea, it's hard to select just one beer variety that will match them all.

For instance, fried fish and shellfish are best paired with a clean and crisp beer that will wash down all that protein and grease. For this, we recommend an American ale like Boulevard's Single Wide IPA.

Photo courtesy of Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen.

If you are craving fatty fish like tuna or salmon, we suggest cracking open a heavier stout to balance out the hearty flavors of the seafood. Boulevard Brewing Co's Imperial Stout would be an excellent beer companion to consider.

For shellfish, such as shrimp, lobster, and oysters, it’s best to select a simple beer. A citrus-forward and bubbly beer allow the delicate flavors of shellfish to shine. We recommend choosing a brew that isn't too sweet, such as a pale ale, since proteins like lobster or scallops have a natural sweetness.

Cheese

Pairing beer and cheese is about striking a balance between commonality and contrast. As a general rule, as the cheese flavor get stronger, so should the beer flavor, and vice versa.

For deliciously funky cheeses, such as bleu, the best beer buddy would be a stout because of its reputation for packing a flavor punch.

If you're pairing with a charcuterie board that features brie or other mild cheeses, then we recommend cracking open a blonde ale.

Cheese provided by Mingle + Graze, photo courtesy of Desert Monks Brewing.

If you prefer tangy and sharp cheddars, the flavor of a sweeter pale beer is a perfect match.

Need some brewsky inspiration? Beer Advocate is an online index of thousands of beers, categorized by variety, making it a great resource for discovery.

Tacos

From carne asada or carnitas al pastor street tacos to birria, tacos come in all different styles and star a wide range of proteins and ingredients.

The beer pairing for tacos depends on the flavors of the accoutrements and the fattiness of the protein. A traditional Mexican lager, such as Tecate, is perfect for washing down most taco dishes.

But if you are eager to try a brew with a bit more flavor, we suggest a West Coast IPA, such as Golden Road's Wolf Among Weeds. An IPA will also help soothe your scorched tastebuds after indulging in spicier fare.

Pasta

Pasta sauces are just as diverse as beer, so finding the perfect pair depends on the type of pasta dish we're talking about.

Classic red sauces that are heavy with beef or Italian sausage can usually be found in spaghetti and lasagna. These dishes are hearty and filling, which means the chosen beer shouldn't be heavy. Instead, reach for a light beer that isn't too bitter, like an American pale ale.

Photo courtesy of Mona Fresh Italian Food.

Carbonara or alfredo dishes are famously rich, so we suggest choosing a crisp beer with a bit of bitterness to cut through the creaminess. For the best brew pairing results, stick to an ice-cold blonde ale or an IPA.

The Good and Spicy

When you’re in the mood for something spicy and flavorful—whether it's vindaloo, jjamppong, or Carolina reaper wings—can beer be the trick to quelling the heat?

Some experts would advise against drinking beer alongside spicy dishes. The carbonation in beer is similar to tiny bubble bombs that explode on your tastebuds and act like a spice accelerant.

When your mouth feels ablaze, the best beer to put out the flames is a nitro milk stout. This style of beer will provide relief from the heat, just like a glass of milk can. A heavy milk stout will not amplify the irritation and will create a cushion against the heat.

Sweet Treats

Many beer lovers aren't ready to hang up their steins just because the dessert cart shows up. Happily, plenty of pairing options are available for desserts, even for the sweetest dishes.

Fresh fruit desserts go great with lighter and fruity beers like a gose or a lambic. If the perfect bake is your dessert of choice, we recommend sipping on a rich porter. Breckenridge Brewery makes a delicious vanilla porter that will complement most baked goods.

Digging into a crème brûlée or an ice cream deserves a beer pairing that will elevate the naturally rich flavors. For these dishes, Ben & Jerry's suggests reaching into the cooler for a chocolate ale or coffee stout.

The Last Sip

As you can see, beer and food pairing comes down to a simple principle: flavor matching. If you focus on a dish's underlying flavors and textures, you can find a beer that complements its profile.

But beer pairing doesn’t need to be intimidating. Usually, trusting your instinct is a great start to finding the perfect food and beer match.

Our best piece of advice is to have fun and flex your creative muscles. The best way to measure the success of your pairing is if YOU think the combination tastes good!