Beer and snacks: The perfect pairing? A tasting experiment

Beer and snacks—what could be better? Whether it’s a familiar grocery-store chip or a unique international treat, no beer evening is complete without a side of munchies. This tasting experiment aimed to answer one burning question: Which snacks pair best with our favorite beers?

We assembled a group of beer enthusiasts, armed with two bottles each of their preferred brews. The snack lineup included standard supermarket favorites as well as some pricier, more exclusive options. The mission? To find the ultimate beer and snack pairings.

Goldstar and Foie Gras Chips

Goldstar is Israel’s best-selling and quintessentially Israeli beer, with a roasted, slightly sweet flavor that balances a mild bitterness.

Recommended pairings: Bamba, Bissli Grill, and foie gras chips. The peanut flavor of Bamba complements the sweetness of the beer, while Bissli Grill adds a smoky touch. Surprisingly, the foie gras chips elevated Goldstar into gourmet territory, making for a culinary sip.

Avoid: Cheetos and Snyder’s pretzels.

Tuborg, Carlsberg, and Cheetos

Tuborg and Carlsberg are light lagers with a mild bitterness. These beers are easygoing and versatile, perfect for casual drinking.

Recommended pairings: Cheetos, Bissli Grill, and Snyder’s pretzels. These bold snacks paired well, enhancing the subtle bitterness of the beers.

Avoid: Bamba, which turned into an overwhelming peanut butter flavor, and the pricier chips, which disappeared flavor-wise.

Alexander Green and Tapuchips

Alexander Green, an IPA with strong fruity and citrus aromas, shined when paired with neutral snacks. However, its bitterness clashed with richer snacks.

Recommended pairings: Neutral options like Tapuchips, pretzels, and shakshuka-flavored chips.

Avoid: Foie gras chips, truffle chips, and even the usually reliable Bamba, which became too harsh in combination.

Hoegaarden and Bissli Grill

Hoegaarden, a Belgian wheat beer with herbal notes of orange peel and coriander, didn’t fare well with overly seasoned snacks. However, Bissli Grill’s smoky flavor proved a pleasant exception.

Recommended pairings: Bissli Grill, Snyder’s Cheddar, and Bamba.

Avoid: Foie gras chips, truffle chips, and Cheetos, which clashed with the beer’s herbal profile.

James 8.8 and Bamba

James 8.8 is a locally brewed Belgian-style ale with gentle bitterness and a sweet, fruity finish. While delightful on its own, it struggled with most snacks, often making them taste overly bitter.

Recommended pairings: Bamba and Bissli Grill.

Avoid: Nearly everything else we tried.

Guinness and Bissli Grill

The ultimate stout, Guinness, with its heavy, sweet-bitter malt profile, paired surprisingly well with nearly everything.

Recommended pairings: Everything! Bissli Grill, truffle chips, and Snyder’s Cheddar were standouts.

Avoid: None. Every snack worked.

Shevet Iceman and Snyder’s Cheddar

Iceman, from Shevet Brewery, is a crisp, balanced lager with sweet cereal notes and a well-rounded bitterness. Though the bitterness became more pronounced with expensive chips, it paired well with everyday snacks.

Recommended pairings: Snyder’s Cheddar, Bissli Grill, and even Bamba worked nicely.

Avoid: Foie gras chips, truffle chips, and Cheetos.

Estrella Damm and Foie Gras Chips

Estrella Damm Inedit, a cross between a pale lager and a Belgian-style wheat beer, is brewed with coriander, orange peel, and licorice. Its spicy, slightly floral aroma and sweet, wheaty body make it a perfect match for fine dining.

Recommended pairings: Foie gras chips, truffle chips, and Bissli Grill all worked well, with Bissli Grill being the evening’s star. Its smoky flavor complemented every sip.

Avoid: Cheetos.

Conclusion: What Did We Learn?

Drinking a variety of beers with different snacks led to some surprising discoveries. Bissli Grill is a surprisingly versatile snack, adding a smoky note to many beers. Hoppy beers don’t play well with fancy chips, and foie gras chips are overrated. But most importantly, familiar flavors always deliver, and everything tastes better with friends.