National beer day: which food pairs best to enjoy a aeer

French fries, pizza, burgers are easy answers to the question: What’s the best food to accompany a beer? But what if I told you that a Neapolitan milanesa can be an excellent match for an Imperial IPA, or a Caesar salad for an Imperial APA?

Every May 31st in Argentina, National Beer Day is celebrated—a date that emerged through social media to honor a drink that has deep cultural roots in our country. To celebrate, we suggest you grab a beer (of course!), but pay attention to the flavors of that experience.

“When the customer is willing to accept pairing recommendations, we’re talking about the search for an experience that changes a moment. That’s when we talk about audiences ready to enjoy 100% and to live new flavors and combinations,” explains Pedro Demuru, chef at Imperial Beerhouse, a restaurant/bar where pairings are part of the menu.

"When the customer is willing to accept pairing recommendations, we’re talking about the search for an experience that changes a moment"

How is beer made?

An interesting fact not everyone knows is that this drink is made up of 80% to 90% water. To that primary ingredient, several others are added, like malt, which gives color depending on its roast level: golden, amber, or dark.

Depending on the type of malt, the beer’s aroma will be: biscuit, bread, caramel, nut, chocolate, or dried fruits. Yeasts are added next, which start the fermentation process. Finally, hops are added, which give bitterness to each beer. If a beer has more hops than malt, it will be more bitter (like an Imperial IPA, for example).

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What food pairs best to enjoy a beer?

“Basic advice: strong-flavored foods go with stronger beers. Conversely, with milder beers, I recommend playing a bit with the sweet notes that may appear in the food,” adds Demuru.

If we talk about popular flavors in our country, the choripán is undoubtedly one of the most requested sandwiches. No one disputes that it goes very well with beer, but with which style? One that is light-bodied but with a dry finish. For example, the Imperial Extra Lager is perfect because it has a distinctive flavor from its special malts and hops. It’s also an excellent option for lighter foods like grilled chicken, fresh salmon, salads, and cold cuts.

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A national dish you probably ate recently is locro (in this article, we share the best places to try it in the city). What do you think is the perfect pairing? Probably, the answer would be a light beer that can balance all the intense flavors of this hearty, rich stew. The Imperial IPA stands out with its medium-light body and dry, bitter finish. If you’re a fan of this beer, which we know has many followers, you should also try it with Mexican dishes or highly seasoned food.

If you’re not into locro but like shepherd’s pie or slow-cooked meats, the Imperial Cream Stout must be on the menu. Medium-bodied, creamy, with notes of coffee and chocolate, it pairs very well with aged cheeses and any dessert. Contrary to popular belief, it is a low-bitterness beer.

A beer for every moment

Let’s say this weekend you’re gathering with your family for homemade pasta with filetto sauce and you’re in charge of bringing drinks. What drink to bring? The Imperial Red has a light, balanced body with a dry finish and pairs very well with these flavors thanks to its caramel and coffee notes. Sauces like chimichurri or goulash also match perfectly.

These weekly moments are often “cheat days” with takeout. Pizzas, fries, empanadas, and snacks pair very well with a particular beer: the Imperial Golden. It’s extremely light, highly carbonated, smooth, and fresh. Ideal for hot days, it also goes great with spicy foods because its immediate effect is to refresh the throat.

Now, if the plan is during the week for an office lunch, a good salad or a fresh dish like a chicken sandwich can be good options. Add an Imperial APA, and it turns into an unforgettable moment. Golden with a balanced bitterness (less than IPA) and floral notes, it’s a subtle beer that goes very well with these dishes and others like nuggets and quesadillas.

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“The most important thing when enjoying is to be happy. It sounds like a joke but it’s the truth. We could talk about technical sheets and flavors, but for me, the most important thing is everyone’s palate and following personal taste instinct. Luckily, at Imperial, one thing we don’t lack is variety,” Demuru concludes.

"The most important thing is everyone’s palate and following personal taste instinct"

The key to a good pairing is always in balancing flavors. So you know, every time you cook for your friends, choose a bar for a beer, or need to bring a drink to a gathering, think about the flavors and the experience will be unforgettable.