Beers al Fresco
Warmer temperatures signal the start of outdoor eating and drinking and, whether you're simply throwing sausages onto a barbecue or planning a more elaborate al fresco feast, there's nothing like a glass of chilled, refreshing beer to turn it into the perfect summer meal.Choosing beer to go with food is a matter of personal taste, though in general, lighter beers will complement lighter summer fare. But don't limit your options to lager: although this is a fine match to many summer foods, other beer styles are just as good or better, and experimenting can reveal some surprising winners - try a glass of chilled Guinness with white fish, for example. If you're not sure where to start, try some of the combination's below, selected by the Beautiful Beer campaign.
Best barbecue beers: accompany flame-grilled sausages, steaks and burgers with a fuller-flavored, hoppier ale such as Marston's Pedigree or Timothy Taylor's Landlord. Sardines, oily fish and seafood kebabs will be well matched with Pilsner Urquell, while white, fleshy fish will work with Deuchars or Greene King IPA or, for a more unusual flavour combination, try it with a glass of well-chilled Guinness.
Salad Days: delicately-flavored salads call for lighter beers that won't overpower them, and a light, fresh beer such as Beer to Dine For or Fuller's Discovery, will do the trick, and cut through mayonnaise-based dressings. Zesty, herbal wheat beers will also work well with salads, and with fish dishes - try Hoegaarden or Kronenbourg Blanc.
Picnic pleasures: there's no better summer lunch than fresh bread with a couple of British cheeses and a refreshing ale - simple and delicious. Almost any British ale will be a great match for hard cheeses; better than wine in fact, as beer cuts through the fattiness and cleanses the palate for the next bite. Try Fuller's London Pride, Greene King's Old Speckled Hen or Black Sheep Ale. The same beers will work with most other picnic fare such as cold meats, while Badger First Gold is an excellent match for cold pies.
Information Courtesy of Beautiful Beer Campaign, British Beer and Pub Association.
