10 Beer Pairings for Crispy Fried Pickles You Must Try

Whether you're a craft beer devotee or just love the salty, crunchy delight of fried pickles, there's a perfect pairing to elevate this indulgent snack. Crisp lagers cleanse the palate and complement the tangy, vinegary notes. Hoppy IPAs infuse the pickles with bold, aromatic bitterness. Stouts with chocolate and coffee notes balance the acidity. Citrusy wheat beers provide a zesty contrast. Pale ales' floral hoppiness plays off the dill and garlic. From malty brown ales to creamy milk stouts, each beer style offers a unique synergy. Continue reading to discover 10 must-try beer pairings that will transform your fried pickle experience.

Key Takeaways

Lager beer's light body and effervescence complement the salty, tangy flavors of fried pickles, making it an ideal pairing.
IPA-infused fried pickles offer a unique and elevated dining experience for craft beer enthusiasts, blending the hop character with the vinegary pickles.
Stouts with notes of chocolate, coffee, or caramel can beautifully balance the acidity and saltiness of fried pickles, creating a harmonious contrast.
Wheat beers, with their citrus notes and effervescence, help cut through the richness of the fried batter, providing a cleansing counterpoint.
Pale ales with their floral, fruity aromas complement the dill and garlic notes commonly found in fried pickles, creating a well-rounded pairing.

Lager Limelight: Fried Pickles and Pilsner

Lager's crisp, light-bodied effervescence makes it the perfect thirst-quenching sidekick to the salty, tangy zing of fried pickles. The carbonation in a lager helps cleanse your palate between bites, while its subtle malt sweetness complements the sour notes of the pickles.

While tater tots and beer are a classic pairing, fried pickles offer a unique twist on the salty-beer combination. The hop bitterness in a pilsner then adds a touch of balance, creating a revitalizing and well-rounded pairing.

Enjoy multiple rounds of this dynamic duo without overwhelming your taste buds, as the session-able nature of lager beer allows you to savor the fried pickles thoroughly. The effervescence and light body of lager cut through the greasiness, making it an ideal companion for this flavorful snack.

Hoppy Harmony: IPA-Infused Fried Pickles

While lager's light-bodied effervescence pairs excellently with fried pickles, IPA-infused fried pickles offer an elevated dining experience for craft beer enthusiasts. By battered and frying the pickles in an IPA-spiked coating, the assertive bitterness and aromatic qualities of the hoppy IPA are absorbed, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.

This unique pickle recipe elevates the tangy, crunchy texture of the dill pickles, complemented by the floral and citrusy notes of the IPA. Much like beer and onion rings, this pairing showcases how beer can enhance the flavors of fried foods, creating a delightful culinary experience.

The bold, hoppy flavors of India Pale Ales combine with the vinegary, salty punch of deep-fried dill pickles.

Craft beer enthusiasts will delight in the complexity achieved by infusing the pickling process and frying method with the distinct character of their favorite IPAs.

Pairing IPA-infused fried pickles with the beer itself provides a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.

The pickles absorb the assertive bitterness and aromatic qualities of the beer, elevating the overall experience.

This exceptional pairing is a must-try for any beer and food lover.

Stout Serenity: Fried Pickles and Dark Beer

For a contrasting pairing, try pairing crispy fried pickles with a rich, roasty stout. While beer and meatballs are a classic combination, fried pickles offer a unique twist on beer pairing. The bold, complex flavors of a stout can beautifully complement the briny, crunchy pickles.

Look for a stout with notes of chocolate, coffee, or caramel to balance the acidity and saltiness of the fried pickles. The creamy mouthfeel of the stout can also help cut through the fried texture, providing a cleansing counterpoint.

Some recommended stout pairings include Guinness, Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, or Left Hand Brewing's Nitro Milk Stout. Experiment with different styles and brands to find your perfect beer and pickle match.

Zesty Zing: Fried Pickles and Wheat Beer

Another brilliant pairing for crispy fried pickles is the light, invigorating flavors of wheat beers. The citrus notes and effervescence of wheat beers help to cut through the richness of the fried batter, creating a harmonious balance. While often associated with spring roll pairings, wheat beers are equally delightful with fried pickles, offering a refreshing contrast to their tangy, salty profile.

The subtle yeast and banana notes in hefeweizens complement the dill and garlic flavors often found in fried pickles. Light and bright American-style wheat ales provide a clean, palate-cleansing contrast to the bold, salty punch of fried pickles. Belgian-style witbiers, with their hints of orange peel and coriander, heighten the vinegary brightness of the fried pickles.

The tangy acidity and crispness of fried pickles pair exceptionally well with wheat beers.
The citrus and effervescence of wheat beers balance the richness of fried pickles.
Hefeweizens' yeast and banana notes complement the dill and garlic in fried pickles.
American wheat ales provide a refreshing contrast to the bold flavors of fried pickles.
Belgian witbiers' orange peel and coriander accentuate the vinegary brightness of fried pickles.

Fruity Finesse: Fried Pickles and Pale Ale

Pale ales are a superb choice when pairing with crispy fried pickles. The bright, citrusy notes of a pale ale like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale perfectly balance the salty, tangy flavors of the fried pickles. The clean, hoppy bitterness of the pale ale cuts through the richness, creating a rejuvenating and well-rounded pairing.

Pale ales with their floral, fruity aromas also complement the dill and garlic notes commonly found in fried pickles. This pairing allows the complexity of the craft beer to shine while the fried pickles provide a satisfying, salty counterpoint.

Spicy Synergy: Fried Pickles and Amber Ale

Craving something with a little more oomph? Explore the spicy synergy of crispy fried pickles and amber ale. This dynamic duo delivers a delightful balance of flavors that beer lovers crave.

Amber ales complement the brine and dill notes of the dill pickle, creating a harmonious pairing.

The malty sweetness of the amber ale offsets the salty, tangy fried pickles, resulting in a satisfying contrast.

Caramel and toasted notes in the amber ale echo the crispy, golden-brown exterior of the fried pickles.

The medium body and moderate alcohol content of the amber ale provide the perfect platform to showcase the fried pickles.

This pairing is a must-try for those seeking a bold and flavorful beer and food experience.

Creamy Delight: Fried Pickles and Milk Stout

The velvety richness of milk stouts creates a creamy delight when paired with the tangy, crunchy fried pickles. The subtle sweetness and roasted notes in the milk stout perfectly complement the natural dill and vinegar flavors, resulting in a balanced and satisfying pairing.

The high creaminess and low bitterness of the milk stout allow the flavors of the fried pickles to shine without any overpowering bitterness, making it an exceptional choice. The nitro-infused creaminess of the milk stout provides a luxurious mouthfeel that work well with the crispy texture of the fried pickles, inviting you to dipping sauce for a harmonious flavor experience.

Robust Rapport: Fried Pickles and Porter

For a robust rapport, pair the deep malty, roasty notes of a porter with the bold, briny flavors of fried pickles. This dynamic duo creates a harmonious interplay of savory, sweet, and bitter flavors.

Consider these reasons why porters make a delightful match:

Porters with hints of chocolate or coffee provide a delightful contrast to the tart, tangy pickles.
The velvety smooth texture of a porter helps to balance the crispy, crunchy texture of the fried pickles.
The slight bitterness of a porter can help to cut through the salty, oily nature of the fried pickles.
Pairing fried pickles with a robust porter creates a perfect marriage of beer and food.
The deep malty, roasty notes of a porter complement the bold, briny flavors of the fried pickles.

Citrus Celebration: Fried Pickles and Hefeweizen

When craving a rejuvenating complement to the bold, briny flavors of fried pickles, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better match than a crisp, citrusy hefeweizen. The tart, sour notes of the fried pickles pair beautifully with the bright, citrusy flavors of the hefeweizen, creating a harmonious balance that delights the taste buds.

The creamy, banana-like esters of the hefeweizen further complement the crisp, salty crunch of the fried pickles, while the yeasty, spicy hints help cut through the richness, cleansing the palate. This combination of savory and invigorating profiles makes for an ideal pairing, with the light, effervescent body of the hefeweizen providing the perfect foil to the hearty, indulgent nature of the fried pickles.

Malty Mastery: Fried Pickles and Brown Ale

Imbued with a malty mastery, brown ale stands as a remarkable pairing for the bold, briny flavors of fried pickles. The rich, toasted notes of the beer effortlessly whisk together with the crunchy, savory texture of the fried pickles, becoming one harmonious delight.

The caramelized, biscuit-like nuances in brown ale complement the earthy undertones of the fried pickles. The subtle sweetness of the ale helps tame the acidity from the pickles, creating a delightful balance. The medium-bodied mouthfeel of the brown ale provides a satisfying contrast to the crisp, invigorating fried pickles. The nutty characteristics in the beer enhance the nutty undertones of the fried snack. The malty richness of the ale perfectly balances the tangy, briny flavors of the fried pickles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Beer Is Best for Beer Pickles?

For beer pickles, you'll want a brew that can keep up with the tangy, salty flavors. Lagers, pale ales, and IPAs are prime picks, as their crispness and mild bitterness complement the pickles' punch.

Do Pickles and Beer Go Together?

Pickles and beer are a match made in heaven. The salty, tangy flavors of pickles perfectly complement the crisp, revitalizing notes of craft beers, unveiling a world of delicious flavor combinations for the adventurous eater and drinker.

What Beer Is Best With Pickle Juice?

Craving that salty, tangy pickle juice? Pair it with a crisp pilsner or American wheat beer for an invigorating contrast. Or, try a hoppy IPA to balance the acidity. For a richer complement, reach for a malty brown ale or porter.

How Do You Crisp Soggy Fried Pickles?

You can crisp up soggy fried pickles by spreading them on a baking sheet and baking at 400°F for 5-10 minutes, or by placing them on a wire rack and baking at 375°F for 5-8 minutes. Alternatively, you can briefly re-fry them in hot oil for 1-2 minutes.