Five of the best beer and curry pairings
However, with the broad range of different curries available across the world, many consumers are now looking to explore different alternatives. In this regard, pubs definitely hold the upper hand to curry houses, with a far greater range of beers available for customers to try.
This National Curry Week (9-15 October), we’ve put together a list of some of the best beers to pair with some of the world’s most famous curry dishes.
1) Chicken tikka masala and IPA
A curry-house classic, Tikka Masala’s moderate spice and rich creamy sauce pairs excellently with a citrusy and floral IPA or pale ale with a malty backbone, such as Thornbridge Jaipur or Siren Undercurrent.
2) Seafood laksa and witbier
This Malaysian-influenced recipe is heavy on coriander, ginger and chilli. The slightly sweet and banana-like notes of a Witbier such as Camden’s Gentleman’s Wit or a hazy hefeweizen such as Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier will work well here.
3) Lamb jalfrezi and lager
Jalfrezi has an intense flavour with a thick, dry sauce leaving a slightly bitter aftertaste. Being a fairly hot curry, the best beer accompaniment here would be a clean and lightly hopped lager such as Pilsner Urquell or the exceptional Five Points Pils.
4) Thai green curry and saison
The citric notes in saison work beautifully with Thai cuisine. A creamy, coconut-based recipe from south-east Asia such as this is delicious with the peppery spiciness of a Saison Dupont or Brew By Numbers Saison Citra.
5) Chicken tandoori and milk stout
The smoky, char-grilled nature of a chicken tandoori is great with a dark, roasty beer. Try something with a sweeter edge such as Weird Beard’s Black Perle or Gun Brewery Parabellum to take the edge off the heat.