10 Best Beer Pairings for Pigs in a Blanket

Crisp lagers like Pilsner Urquell or Modelo Especial cleanse your palate between rich, salty pigs in a blanket bites. Hoppy pale ales offer a rejuvenating contrast, with citrusy notes complementing the flavors. Malty amber ales like Bell's Brown Ale provide caramel and nutty sweetness that balances the dish. Robust brown ales deliver a heartier pairing, with nutty, toffee-like notes. Zesty pilsners refresh your taste buds, while bold IPAs highlight the savory notes. For a more elevated twist, sophisticated porters deepen the flavor profile. If you'd like to explore even more beer and food pairing ideas, keep reading.

Key Takeaways

Crisp, light lagers like Pilsner Urquell or Modelo Especial pair well with pigs in a blanket, cleansing the palate between bites.
Hoppy pale ales like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale can cut through the rich, indulgent flavors of pigs in a blanket, offering a refreshing contrast.
Malty amber ales complement the caramelized, savory flavors of pigs in a blanket, creating a balanced pairing.
Robust brown ales provide a hearty pairing that harmonizes with the salty, savory notes of pigs in a blanket.
Sessionable cream ales refresh the palate and complement the saltiness of pigs in a blanket without overpowering the dish.

A Crisp Lager Cuts The Richness

When pairing pigs in a blanket with beer, a crisp, light lager can be the perfect choice. The high carbonation and clean finish of a lager like Pilsner Urquell or Modelo Especial help to cleanse the palate between bites of the rich, salty appetizer.

The subtle sweetness and balanced bitterness of a classic lager complements the buttery dough and savory sausage. For an even more complementary pairing, consider lagers with citrus or herbal hop notes, such as Peroni or Firestone Walker Pivo Pils, which can accentuate the flavors of the pigs in a blanket.

While pretzels are often paired with beer and mustard, pigs in a blanket offer a similar delightful combo of salty, savory flavors that pair well with lagers. The light, crisp profile of a lager prevents the dish from feeling too heavy or overwhelming.

The Bitterness Of Hoppy Pale Ales

Hoppy pale ales like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale can be an excellent choice when pairing with pigs in a blanket. The bitterness of these beers cuts through the rich, indulgent flavors, providing a rejuvenating contrast.

While typically associated with bruschetta pairings, hoppy pale ales also work well with pigs in a blanket due to their versatile flavor profile. The tropical fruit and citrus notes offer a pleasant counterpoint to the savory pigs in a blanket.

Additionally, the medium-bodied, balanced profile of American pale ales makes them a versatile option that can stand up to the various flavors. The crisp, clean bitterness also helps cleanse the palate between bites, complementing the salty, savory notes without overpowering the dish.

Malty Amber Ales Complement Caramelized Flavors

Malty amber ales beautifully complement the caramelized, savory flavors of pigs in a blanket. The toffee, caramel, and nutty notes in these beers provide a delightful contrast to the richness of the pigs. When selecting your amber ale, consider the beer pairing principles of matching intensity and finding complementary flavors to enhance your snacking experience.

The combination of malty sweetness and subtle hop bitterness in amber ales creates a perfect balance for this beloved appetizer. Additionally, the medium body and balanced bitterness of amber ales cleanse the palate between bites, preparing your taste buds for the next savory morsel.

Bell's Brown Ale and Sierra Nevada Flipside Red IPA are two excellent amber ale options that harmonize with the baked dough and sausage flavors in pigs in a blanket, creating a complementary beer and snack pairing.

Hearty Brown Ales For Extra Heartiness

Looking for a heartier pairing to complement the salty, savory flavors of pigs in a blanket? Consider reaching for a robust brown ale.

While mini crab cakes pair well with lighter beers, pigs in a blanket call for something more substantial. The following features make brown ales an excellent choice:

Nutty, toffee-like notes that provide a slightly sweet contrast to the richness of pigs in a blanket
Medium body and low bitterness that allow the pigs in a blanket to shine without being overpowered
Caramel and chocolate undertones that harmonize well with the baked dough and meat filling
Slightly higher alcohol content (around 5-6% ABV) for a more substantial pairing
Brands like Bell's Brown Ale and Brooklyn Brown that deliver these complementary flavors

Zesty Pilsners Cleanse The Palate

Crisp, light pilsners like Firestone Walker Pils or Victory Prima Pils can balance the richness of pigs in a blanket with their zesty carbonation and clean finish. The high carbonation and subtle hop bitterness of a pilsner act as a palate cleanser, preparing the taste buds for the next savory bite.

With their low alcohol content, pilsners allow you to enjoy multiple pigs in a blanket without feeling overly full or weighed down. The pale malt backbone of a pilsner provides just enough sweetness to complement the salty, buttery pigs in a blanket, creating a balanced pairing.

Sessionable Cream Ales Refresh After Bites

While pilsners may cleanse the palate between bites, sessionable cream ales can refresh and revitalize it after indulging in the rich, savory pigs in a blanket. Cream ales offer a subtle sweetness that complements the saltiness of the pigs, and their moderate carbonation helps cut through the greasiness, preparing the taste buds for the next bite.

Some popular cream ale options include:

Genesee Cream Ale
Little Kings Cream Ale
Prison City Cream Ale

The sessionable nature of these cream ales allows for easy drinking and prevents palate fatigue, ensuring you can enjoy pigs in a blanket throughout the entire game.

Bold IPAs Highlight Savory Notes

Whereas sessionable cream ales provide a invigorating counterpart to the richness of pigs in a blanket, bold IPAs offer a complementary approach, highlighting the savory notes of this beloved snack.

The higher alcohol content in double IPAs like Founders Devil Dancer or Bell's Hopslam can stand up to the richness, while juicy, tropical hop-forward New England-style IPAs such as Treehouse Haze or Trillium Dry Fall provide a revitalizing contrast.

Additionally, slightly malty American IPAs like Firestone Walker Union Jack or Stone IPA offer a balance between bitterness and sweetness. For an intense experience, bold, boozy imperial IPAs like Avery Maharaja or Sixpoint Bengali Tiger can elevate the pigs in a blanket with their powerful hop and alcohol presence.

Nutty English Brown Ales Embrace Saltiness

Oftentimes, the nutty, fruity, and toffee-like flavors of English brown ales perfectly complement the saltiness of pigs in a blanket. The sweetness of brown ales offsets the savory notes, creating a balanced flavor profile that pairs exceptionally well with this snack.

Bell's Brown Ale, Brooklyn Brown, and Newcastle are excellent brown ale options that highlight the cheese and saltiness of pigs in a blanket.
The slightly heavier mouthfeel of brown ales complements the richness of pigs in a blanket.
The biscuit and caramel notes in brown ales accentuate the flavors of pigs in a blanket without overpowering them.
The nutty and toffee-like characteristics of English brown ales embrace the saltiness of pigs in a blanket for a delightful pairing.
The fruity qualities of brown ales provide a pleasant contrast to the savory pigs in a blanket.

Fruity Summer Ales Add Brightness

For a invigorating contrast to the richness of pigs in a blanket, turn to fruity, citrusy summer ales like wheat beers and Berliner Weisses. The effervescence and lighter body of these wheat beer styles help cleanse the palate between bites of the savory, doughy pigs in a blanket.

The tropical and berry notes in these revitalizing ales can accentuate the sweetness of the dough and offset the saltiness of the pork. Tart, sour ales like Gose and Berliner Weisse add a lively, palate-stimulating element to balance the heaviness of pigs in a blanket.

Roasty Porters Elevate Indulgent Experience

To elevate the indulgent experience of pigs in a blanket, turn to the rich, roasty notes of porters. This full-bodied beer style's chocolate and coffee flavors from the roasted malts perfectly complement the savory, doughy pastry. The smooth mouthfeel of porters also provides a luxurious pairing, while their subtle sweetness balances the saltiness of the snack.

Consider these five ways porters can enhance your pigs in a blanket:

Porters' sophisticated, complex flavors create a refined twist on the classic appetizer.
The roasty notes of porters deepen the flavor profile for a more indulgent experience.
Porters' smooth, creamy mouthfeel elevates the textures of pigs in a blanket.
The subtle sweetness of porters harmonizes with the saltiness of the snack.
Pairing porters with pigs in a blanket offers a more elevated, gourmet-inspired treat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Beer Goes With Pigs in a Blanket?

You'll want an IPA, amber ale, brown ale, cream ale, or light lager to complement the savory and indulgent flavors of pigs in a blanket. The beer's bitterness, toasted notes, or carbonation will elevate this classic appetizer.

What Is Good With Pigs in a Blanket?

Liberate your taste buds' delight with pigs in a blanket! Pair 'em with beer cheese dip for a fondue-esque experience, or opt for earthy amber ales to complement the roasted potato skin base. Don't forget – hoppy IPAs contrast deliciously with the juicy fillings.

What Is the Best Combination for Beer?

For the best beer pairing with pigs in a blanket, try hoppy and dry IPAs, earthy amber ales, or invigorating cream ales. You can even level up with a beer cheese dip made with an IPA.

What Beer Pairs Well With Pork?

For pork, you'll wanna go with crisp lagers or hoppy ales to cut through the richness. Roasty stouts and spicy farmhouse ales also work well, balancing the savory flavors. Experiment to find your perfect pork-beer pairing!