Sausages and beer are a classic flavor combination. The right beer can enhance the flavor of sausages and bring the dish to the next level. But with so many beer styles to choose from, it can be tricky to know which one works best. Here we’ll look at the factors to consider when picking a beer to cook sausages in or serve alongside. We’ll also provide some excellent beer recommendations to try.
What to Look for in a Cooking Beer for Sausages
When selecting a beer to use for cooking sausages, here are some key characteristics to look for:
Fuller flavor
Look for a beer with robust malt and hop flavors that will stand up to the bold taste of sausage. Pale lagers and pilsners are too light. Go for an amber ale, brown ale, porter, or stout.
Low bitterness
Avoid very bitter beers like IPAs. The bitterness will clash with the sausage’s richness. Opt for lower IBU beers around 15-30 IBUs.
Medium alcohol
Higher alcohol beers can create unpleasant flavors when cooked. Look for beers in the 4-6% ABV range.
Uncomplicated flavor
Select beers without strong fruity, spicy, or funky flavors that could overpower the sausage. Subtle maltiness with a touch of roasted notes works best.
Best Beer Styles for Cooking Sauskeys
Based on the criteria above, here are some excellent beer styles to use with sausages:
Amber Ale
The light maltiness and moderate bitterness of amber ales pair wonderfully with bold sausage flavor. Try Fat Tire Amber Ale or Tröegs Nugget Nectar.
English Brown Ale
The nutty, toffee-like maltiness of English brown ales complement sausage. Newcastle Brown Ale is a readily available option.
Irish Red Ale
The gentle roasted barley taste mirrors seasoning in sausage. Smithwick’s Irish Ale is a classic choice.
Porter
The light chocolate malt notes in porters marry well with sausage. Try Founders Porter or Deschutes Black Butte Porter.
Oktoberfest
The smooth, subtle malt character blends nicely with sausage. Go for Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen or Paulaner Oktoberfest.
| Beer Style | Key Characteristics | Beer Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Amber Ale | Balanced maltiness, moderate bitterness | Fat Tire Amber Ale, Tröegs Nugget Nectar |
| English Brown Ale | Nutty, toffee-like maltiness | Newcastle Brown Ale |
| Irish Red Ale | Gentle roasted barley flavor | Smithwick’s Irish Ale |
| Porter | Light chocolate malt notes | Founders Porter, Deschutes Black Butte Porter |
| Oktoberfest | Smooth, subtle maltiness | Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen, Paulaner Oktoberfest |
Tips for Cooking with Beer
To get the most flavor when cooking sausages with beer, keep these tips in mind:
Reduce the beer first
Simmer the beer uncovered until reduced by half. This will intensify the flavor and prevent a watery dish.
Match beer and sausage styles
Pair malt-forward beers with bratwurst orItalian sausage. Try stouts with smoked sausage. Match lighter beers with chicken or turkey sausage.
Flavor the sausage itself
In a bowl, mix beer into the raw sausage meat before shaping patties or links. This adds great flavor throughout.
Deglaze the pan
After browning sausages, deglaze the pan with beer. Scrape up the browned bits for maximum flavor.
Simmer in beer
Gently simmer sausages in beer on the stovetop or bake in the oven in beer. The sausages will plump up and soak up the beer taste.
What’s the Best Beer for Grilling Sausages?
Grilling brings out the smoky flavors of sausage. For beer pairing, go for these brews that complement the char:
Smoked Beer
The smoky quality of rauchbiers matches grilled sausage. Try Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen or Alaskan Smoked Porter.
Hefeweizen
The subtle fruity, clove notes balance the smokiness. Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier is a fantastic option.
California Common
Also known as steam beers, California commons have a light toasted malt taste. Anchor Steam is a classic.
Vienna Lager
The touch of toasted flavor pairs nicely with char. Try Devils Backbone Vienna Lager or Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner.
What Beer Goes Best with Bratwurst?
Bratwurst and beer are a match made in heaven. For brats, go for beers that complement the seasoning:
Märzen
The smooth malt backbone of a Märzen accentuates bratwurst’s flavor. Try Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier.
Dunkel
The light roasted chocolate malts in dunkels bring out bratwurst’s richness. Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel is excellent.
Rye Beer
The spicy rye malt bridges bratwurst’s seasoning. Boulevard Rye on Rye combines rye malt and actual rye in the mash.
Kölsch
The delicate fruity yeast notes contrast nicely with brats. Reissdorf Kölsch is a refreshing choice.
Conclusion
When cooking or grilling sausages, choose a beer with enough flavor to match the bold sausage taste. Opt for malt-forward amber ales, brown ales, or rich porters and stouts. Reduce the beer first to intensify the flavor. Match the intensity of the sausage with an appropriate beer style. With the right beer pairing, your sausages will come alive with delicious complementary flavors.