It's common to see people coming up with combinations to pair their favorite foods with the best wines to bring out their flavor. But what about beer? Whether you’re a craft beer aficionado or simply love to crack open a cold one during the summer, it’s easier than you think to pair beer with your favorite dishes – especially shrimp – to make both taste better than ever. Today, we're here to break down some of the best beers to pair with our delicious Gulf shrimp for your next special meal!
Pale Ales
The pale ale category includes a wide range of beers with notes from rich and malty to crisp citrus undertones. Their unifying characteristic is a well-balanced flavor profile and typically light taste that won’t overpower shrimp in almost any recipe. This makes pale ales great for shrimp in simple preparations, such as grilled with a light marinade, sautéed with fresh summer herbs and a little olive oil, or a shrimp cocktail.
Wheat Beers
A unique combination of wheat and yeast gives wheat beers their distinctive creamy texture and hazy look. Their bright, citrus-like flavor makes them an ideal pairing for all sorts of seafood – especially shrimp – and spicy foods. If you love curries, highly spiced seafood stews, or marinades and rubs with heat, wheat beers balance the spice levels for a truly refreshing combination.
American IPAs
One of the most appealing qualities of fresh, wild-caught Gulf shrimp is their sweet, succulent flavor. Pairing them with a naturally bitter beer, like a strong, hoppy IPA, helps emphasize this sweetness and bring balance to your meal. However, traditional IPAs can be profoundly bitter and might not appeal to every palate. The gentler flavor of American IPAs makes them great alongside shrimp dishes with sweet ingredients like coconut, pineapple, mango, and more.
Smoked Beers
Smoked beers owe their unique flavor to malted barley that is dried over an open flame. This gives the finished brew a one-of-a-kind smoky undertone that pairs well with dishes that are rich in spices. Due to their mild flavor, shrimp also lend themselves well to spicier recipes and will be delicious when served alongside a smoked beer. Try one from a local brewery alongside jambalayas, étouffée, and other Cajun and Creole recipes to deepen your dish’s flavor.
Pilsners
Pilsners are a type of lager known for their light color and perfectly balanced flavor. These German-style beers are easy to drink with a touch of sweetness and a crisp, clean finish. This makes pilsners a great beer to enjoy with a heaping plate of deep-fried shrimp, creating an irresistible contrast to their richness and crunch.
Porters or Stouts
These dark, rich beers, sometimes called winter warmers, are known for their depth of flavor and thick, heavy mouthfeel. They’re similar in many ways, with the primary difference coming down to the malt used for brewing. Their richness works well with creamy, hearty shrimp dishes, such as chowders, robust stews, and the like. They also offer a tasty accompaniment to dishes like savory shrimp tacos or a decadent scampi.
Serve Up Gulf Shrimp with Your Favorite Beers
In the end, there is no wrong way to enjoy beer and shrimp dishes. Simply choose the brews you love most and don’t be afraid to experiment with new styles and local beers. Most importantly, use the best shrimp available to make every meal one to remember. Order restaurant-quality, wild-caught Gulf shrimp from Biloxi Shrimp Co. today!
Click here to order mouthwatering wild-caught shrimp straight from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.