Beer and food matching: Fish and chips
This month - What would you serve with fish and chips? John Porter gets some expert advice.
Crispy batter hiding tender chunks of fish, golden fluffy chips, fresh garden peas and the tang of tartare sauce.
There are some great flavours and interesting textures at work in a serving of fish and chips. The right beer to do it justice will take some careful choosing, and once again Pub Food's panel of beer and food matching experts have done us proud.
- Ben Bartlett, catering development manager, The Union Pub Company:
"Banks's Bitter - the bitterness helps cut through the fatty batter of the fish and leaves you with a wonderful taste which compliments this great dish. The malt and hops produces a fabulous combination of winey and fruity aromas. This fruity brew benefits from an excellent full body and a biting bitterness to the finish. The acidity of the fruity undertones should make this ale a perfect accompaniment to a great British plate of fish and chips."
John Bexon, Greene King head brewer: "Greene King IPA is the perfect accompaniment to freshly battered fish with homemade chunky chips. Its clean, fresh and perfectly balanced taste superbly complements this traditional, favourite English dish. IPA works particularly well with the creamy, subtle flavours of cod and plaice which are enhanced by this hoppy, pale ale."
Kamini Dickie, responsible for Brand Development at the Brewing Research Institute: "Fish and chips is a national favourite, eaten and loved by every generation. Indeed, this great British dish features on the menus of some of London's most fashionable restaurants. Despite the versatility of the chip, crispy fried fish is by far the favourite accompaniment and to complete the match what better than a glass of Deuchars IPA. Light gold in colour with a perfect mix of malt and hop character, it is wonderfully aromatic with hints of fresh citrus. Brewed by the Caledonian Brewery Company in Edinburgh, its fabulous hoppy notes are derived from English Fuggles hop blended with American Willamettes and Styrian Goldings. With a smooth body and dry finish Deuchars IPA, Scotland's award winning premium ale, lends itself as the perfect refreshing beer to accompany fish and chips."
John Keeling, Fuller's head brewer: "The light, subtle flavours of Fuller's Organic Honey Dew go very well with fish, while the refreshing taste cuts through the fat of the chips and batter. Honey Dew has natural honey sweetness, which is a good contrast to the vinegar on the chips. Alternatively, why not try a complete contrast and go for an American beer to go with British fish and chips? I think Goose Island IPA would be a great beer for washing this dish down."
Next time around, the panel will be looking for the ideal beer to accompany chicken curry. If there's a dish on your menu you'd like the panel to make some beer recommendations for, email your suggestion to chosbbq@gurchoyvpna.pbz.
