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Every time I visit my eldest brother, he cooks a giant batch of chicken wings, and it’s one of my all-time favourites. So, as a beer drinker, I got curious about the best beer for fried chicken. Well, it won’t surprise you that any beer is not a bad shout, which is probably why pubs and bars love serving you up some delicious wings. However, this article will describe what I believe is the best beer. It’ll also show you the types of beers that are best for cooking chicken in beer (yes, it’s a thing!).
The Ultimate Best Beer for Fried Chicken
For the classic southern-style fried chicken, you want something light and crisp that won’t overwhelm the delicate balance of flavours. The beauty of traditional fried chicken lies in its simplicity—the golden, crunchy skin, the juicy interior, and just the right amount of seasoning. A light lager or pilsner complements this classic dish perfectly, refreshing your palate between bites without interfering with the chicken’s flavour.
Recommended Beers:
- Pilsner Urquell 4.4% (Plzeňský Prazdroj): This famous Czech beer balances sweetness from the triple-decocted malt, and bitterness from our Saaz hops.
- Budweiser 5% (Anheuser-Busch): The “King of Beers” is a medium-bodied, flavourful, crisp American-style lager.
- Stella Artois 5% (Stella Artois): The optimum premium lager with a full flavour and clean, crisp taste.
How about Korean Fried Chicken?
Korean fried chicken is known for its bold, double-fried crunch and flavours ranging from sweet soy garlic to spicy gochujang. Because of its sweet, tangy, and spicy mix, you need a beer that can handle all that flavour without getting lost. A hoppy IPA with citrus or pine notes can cut through the sauce and hold its own against the intensity of Korean fried chicken. Alternatively, a sour beer provides a tangy contrast that pairs well with the sticky, sweet sauces typically used in Korean fried chicken.
Recommended Beers:
- 60 Minute IPA 6% (Dogfish Head Craft Brewery): A powerful but balanced East Coast IPA with a lot of citrusy hop character.
- Gueuze Tilquin 7% (Gueuzerie Tilquin): This lambic ale has a fresh, lemony nose. The taste is tart and dry but has a certain roundness and sweet complexity.
- La Folie 6.5% (New Belgium Brewing Company): This wood-aged sour is sharp and sour, full of green apple, cherry, and plum-skin notes.
Other Beers to Try with Your Chicken
If you don’t fancy one of the above beers, well I’m only going to share more of the best beer styles that work wonders with fried chicken. Get ready to level up your meal!
Pilsners and Fried Chicken
Pilsners are a step up from your standard lager, with a bit more hop bitterness and a crisp finish. The slight hoppiness balances out the fattiness of fried chicken, enhancing the savoury flavours without being too aggressive. Pilsners can handle a variety of fried chicken styles, from classic southern to spicy varieties.
Recommendation: Go for another classic Czech Pilsner or something like Heineken.
IPAs with Spicy Chicken Wings
IPAs are known for their strong hop flavours and slightly bitter finish, which might seem like an unusual choice for fried chicken—but hear us out. The boldness of an IPA can contrast beautifully with spicy fried chicken, particularly varieties like Nashville hot chicken. The bitterness helps tame the heat, while the citrus and floral notes in many IPAs can enhance the herbs and spices in the chicken’s seasoning.
Recommendation: Try an IPA like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or Stone IPA to pair with your spicy fried chicken.
Wheat Beers with Buttermilk Chicken
Wheat beers are light, slightly sweet, and often come with a hint of fruitiness, like banana or citrus notes. These qualities make them a fantastic pairing for fried chicken, especially buttermilk fried chicken or any version with a slightly sweet coating. The smooth mouthfeel of wheat beers complements fried chicken’s soft, tender interior, while their subtle sweetness plays nicely with the savoury, crispy skin.
Recommendation: Grab a Blue Moon or a classic German Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier for a perfect pairing.
Saisons with Salt & Pepper Wings
Saisons are farmhouse ales known for their earthy, peppery, and sometimes fruity flavours. These beers have a lot of character and can bring out the best in fried chicken, especially if the chicken is heavily seasoned, like salt and pepper wings (my brother’s speciality). Their complexity adds layers of flavour to the meal without overwhelming the dish. Plus, their high carbonation keeps things light and effervescent, preventing the meal from feeling too heavy.
Recommendation: Try a classic Saison like Saison Dupont or Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale.
Stouts and Porters (For the Adventurous)
Okay, I know what you’re thinking—stouts or porters with fried chicken? It sounds like a wild combo, but if you’re feeling adventurous, give it a shot. The rich, roasted flavours of stouts and porters can create a surprising balance with fried chicken. The dark beers pair well with a smokey, spicy fried chicken, like Cajun-style or barbecue-flavoured varieties. These beers are thicker and heartier, so they’re best for when you’re in the mood for a bold, comforting meal.
Recommendation: Opt for a smooth stout like Guinness or a porter like Founders Porter for an adventurous pairing.
What is the Best Beer to Cook Chicken In?
Cooking chicken with beer is a great way to infuse your dish with rich, complex flavours while keeping the meat tender and juicy. But, like pairing beer with fried chicken, choosing the right beer for cooking also depends on the dish you’re preparing. Here are some top beer styles that work wonders in various chicken recipes.
Pale Ales and Light Lagers: Great for Marinades
When marinating chicken, you want a beer that adds just enough flavour without overpowering the meat. Pale ales and light lagers are excellent choices because they bring mild bitterness and a subtle maltiness to the dish. The carbonation in these beers also helps tenderise the chicken, making it more succulent. Try using a pale ale or lager when marinating chicken for grilling or roasting.
Dark Beers: Perfect for Braising and Stews
Dark beers like stouts and porters are your go-to for slow-cooked chicken dishes. These robust beers add deep, malty flavours with coffee, chocolate, and even caramel notes. Dark beer is fantastic for braising chicken or using in stews, especially when you want a rich sauce to accompany your dish. It’s also a great choice for cooking chicken thighs or drumsticks.
IPAs: Ideal for Beer Can Chicken or Wings
If you plan to make beer can chicken or chicken wings, IPAs are a fun and flavourful option. IPAs can add an extra kick to spicier dishes. When you use IPA for beer can chicken, the hops infuse the chicken from the inside, giving it a nice depth of flavour. However, be cautious—strong IPAs can be quite bitter, so it’s best to pair them with highly seasoned or spicy chicken recipes to balance out the flavours.
Summary
For classic southern-style fried chicken, a light lager or pilsner complements its simplicity, refreshing the palate without overpowering flavours. Korean fried chicken pairs well with hoppy IPAs and tangy sour beers to balance the sweet and spicy sauces. Pilsners work well with various fried chicken styles, while IPAs contrast nicely with spicy wings. Wheat beers are great for buttermilk chicken, offering smooth, sweet flavours. Saisons pair with heavily seasoned wings, adding complexity, and adventurous eaters can try stouts or porters with smoky, spicy varieties like Cajun chicken for a rich, comforting meal.
FAQs
Why does fried chicken go well with beer?
Fried chicken pairs perfectly with beer because the crisp, salty, and fatty nature of the chicken complements the refreshing, fizzy qualities of beer. The carbonation cuts through the richness, while the beer’s malt sweetness balances the savoury flavours, enhancing the overall taste.
What beer is best for spicy fried chicken?
For spicy fried chicken, you want a beer that can balance the heat without being overwhelmed by it. IPAs are a popular choice because their hoppy bitterness cuts through the spice, providing a refreshing contrast.
What’s the best beer to serve with sweet or honey-glazed fried chicken?
For sweet or honey-glazed fried chicken, go for a beer that enhances the sweetness while balancing it with a bit of bitterness or acidity. Wheat beer or Belgian-style ale is a fantastic choice, as their fruity, spicy notes bring out the sweetness without making the dish feel too heavy.
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