Pork and Beer go so well together but first a short history lesson. Beer dates as far back as 3900 B.C.. It finally made it was to Northern Europe where the Monks developed many of the brewing techniques still used today. The early settlers from Europe brought beer making to the United States.
A beer qualifies as either a lager or an ale:
Ales are created through top fermentation, where yeast ferments at warmer temperatures and settles at the top of the beer.
Lagers yeast settle at the bottom of the beer and the fermenting process is longer and takes place under cooler temperatures.
A beer’s specific styles and flavors continue to evolve from there. When pairing a beer with a pork dish, here are a few simple rules to remember:
- Pair lighter beers with lighter pork dishes and bold ales and heavier dishes. Why not pair a lighter Beer with this delicious recipe from the Kitchen Whisperer? https://www.thekitchenwhisperer.net/2014/03/02/circle-b-ranch-pork-center-cut-chops-peach-basil-bourbon-glaze/
- The hoppier the beer, the better it is to match with rich foods
- Look for complementary flavors: Citrus with citrus, sweet with sweet, spice with spice, and there is even raspberry or chocolate beer for dessert.
- Try something new - Salty and sweet is a winning combination!
Cooking with Beer:
Using beer to cook pork adds a deep, earthy flavor to savory pork dishes.
One of my favorite ways to prepare pulled pork is one bottle of beer and one jar of Big John's Barbecue sauce and of course a Circle B Ranch 1/2 shoulder. Put all the ingredients in the crock pot and cook until the meat falls off the bone. So delish!!
Big John loves to simmer Circle B Ranch Nitrite Free Hot Dogs in beer before grilling them. The beer gives a great depth of flavor to the Hot Dog.
You can use beer as a marinade for your pork dishes. Beer contains enzymes that help break down tough fibers in meat, making it more tender and flavorful!
It is definitely time to crack a beer open and experiment in the kitchen!
No matter how you like you’re beer, or how you like your pork, there is a perfect pair in the making. And like I said in the beginning...Pork and Beer are a match made in heaven!!
Enjoy!!