Mexican Lagers: The Origins a Long Way From the Americas

*This essay is updated (added to, and/or modified) from previous publications, authored by me, on the subject elsewhere. Current update: 09/2026*

September 16th, Mexican Independence Day.

What did we get when Austrians, Bavarians, Swiss, and Germans migrated to the Americas? If you said the accordion and polka-inspired music (Banda/Norteña), you would probably be correct. Well, kinda. If you said beer, you’d also be correct! Well, kinda. Mexican Lagers have a unique and convoluted history that most of us never consider. This past is grounded in monarchy, deception, and political fallacies. September 15th to October 15th is Hispanic Heritage month. Today, September 16th, is Mexico's Independence Day and I want to show my pride for my heritage by not only talking about its beer, but also the events that surround it! Put that lime wedge down for just a second and let us discuss the origins of Mexican Lager and some Mexican history.

Native American cultures as complex societies in Mexico date back to around 1800 BCE. We see the emergence of Maya, Olmec, Mexica, and others and lasted for thousands of years. They watched the skies, learned its patterns, worshiped many deities, built impressive structures, and cultivated the land.

Pulque and Tepache (fermented beverages made from agave or pineapple rinds, respectively) and several other fermented beverages were made by Natives. The Spanish explorers -well, invaders- documented this in the 1500s when they invaded. Native Mexicans were making this for centuries prior to the so-called "explorers" touching Mexican soil. The Spanish made beer in the mid-1500s, but not too much success and can be left as a simple footnote. And that's all the credit I'll give the aggressors here.

{Skip several centuries}

Mexico’s declaration of independence came on Sept. 16, 1810. Until the revolution began a century later in 1910, there was still a bit of turmoil in between. Along with other important historical events, the beer-related one is when an Austrian native declared himself emperor of Mexico, thinking it was the will of the Mexican people.

During the Napoleonic occupation of Mexico, Maximilian I, Archduke of Austria, born in Vienna, was crowned Emperor of Mexico in 1864. Unaware of an arrangement by conservative Mexicans to overthrow Liberal President Benito Juárez, and Napoleon III, who wanted to continue his reign and collect money, Maximilian accepted the throne as Emperor of Mexico thinking he was democratically elected to it. He was not; he was deceived.

Maximilian I

Maximilian held up many reforms, such as indigenous protections and continued to antagonize the Roman Catholic hierarchy. Furthermore, the condemnation of power and privilege once held by the Catholic church goes completely against conservative ideology. Refusing to reinstate any power or return confiscated treasures to Roman Catholics resulted in the conservative Mexican powers-that-be no longer supporting the empire as they once did.

Juárez continued to assert himself as the legitimate leader of the Mexican people. The irony here is that Maximilian was upholding the liberal mindset, values, and reforms put in place by Juárez. 

With the American Civil War ending, the Monroe Doctrine was enforced. This forced the French to withdraw, leaving Maximilian at a major disadvantage. Eventually, Juárez exploited this turn of events and, on June 19th, 1867, Maximilian was executed.

Depending on one's individual perception and predisposed ideals, Maximilian can be looked at in one of two ways. He can be seen as the invading monarch who tried to usurp Benito Juárez. Or he can be seen as a tragic character who was a victim of deception while validly trying to rule under his own liberalistic principles while upholding those already in place in his new homeland. His quote before execution, spoken in Spanish, supports the latter: “Voy a morir por una causa justa, la de la independencia y la libertad de México. Que mi sangre selle las desgracias de mi nueva patria. ¡Viva México!”.

Translated quote: “I will die for a just cause, that of the independence and freedom of Mexico. My blood pays the price for the disgraces of my new homeland. Long live Mexico!”

I am quite proud of my Mexican culture, and it is no surprise that I, and many of my fellow Mexicans, have a fair amount of Western European genetics, as well. And now we know why. This would also explain my personal affinity towards German culture, too.

Back to the beer. We begin where most Lagers begin: in Germany. And Austria since they were unified at this time. Upon returning from a research trip to England with a fellow brewer in 1833, Anton Dreher began experimenting with a revolutionary malt-roasting technique. A few years later, Dreher released a paler amber Lager made with his pale grain, dubbed Vienna Malt. This beer is what ultimately became the Vienna Lager. More on its evolution in Austria/Germany here!

While these beers lost popularity as quickly as they gained it thanks to the emergence of the Pale Lager in modern-day Czechia in 1842, German and Austrian immigrants were making their way to the Americas, specifically Mexico. As mentioned above, in 1864, Maximilian became Mexico’s emperor, bringing the Vienna Lager with him (metaphorically). There was an influx of Lager brewing, including brewers who produced Lager in the Vienna style. While Maximilian may have been executed by 1867, the thirst for Vienna Lager remained.

Santiago Graf, a Swiss-born brewer living in Mexico in the late 1800s, purchased Cervecera Toluca y Mexico from a fellow Swiss immigrant. Graf soon began to import the ingredients and equipment and incorporated the advancements in refrigeration to make the various brands. Eventually, by the early 1900s, a Vienna-style Lager. Also, he would eventually start using locally abundant and inexpensive ingredients such as rice, later incorporating maize, specifically.

Around the same time, in Veracruz, another brewery operated by German brewer Wilhelm Guillermo Hasse, made a beer to celebrate the forthcoming 20th century. A beer named Siglo XX was born out of a brewery later named Cervecería Moctezuma.

Eventually, the pale Lager would gain popularity in Mexico, too, and evolve into the popular golden beer we see in advertisements with a lime wedged into the neck of the bottle. Cervecería Cuauhtémoc, another major Mexican Lager brewery, was born in 1890 and gained international fame with Carta Blanca. The two formerly mentioned breweries (Cuauhtémoc and Moctezuma) would eventually form a brewing group with many recognizable brands.

In the first half of the 1900s, there were about 35 independent breweries in Mexico. Hereafter, as with most businesses, there was a period of consolidation resulting in only two major Mexican brewery groups. The two groups are Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma and Grupo Modelo. Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma offers brands such as Bohemia, Carta Blanca, Indio, Noche Buena, Sol, Superior, Tecate, and Dos XX/Dos XX Amber. Grupo Modelo owns the brands Corona, Estrella, Modelo/Negra Modelo, Montejo, Pacifico, Victoria, and a few others. Thankfully, there is a bit of a craft beer boom happening in Mexico. There are plenty of small, independent breweries now making some delightful beers.

Although the modern dark versions of Mexican Lagers are now grouped under their own category/style by the Brewers Association, it is still important to be aware of their linage from Vienna Lager. Thankfully, we can still find remnants of the Vienna Lager, even if they have evolved into their own unique style.

Worthy of note: It has been reasonably confirmed by documentations that Victoria's beer anthropology can be traced back to Graf's brewery and Siglo XX has become Dos XX Amber today (according to some sources, including Dos XX themselves). Remember that the next time someone looks at you with a raised eyebrow of judgment while you proudly take a refreshing drink of history.

The traditional Vienna Lager is made by utilizing Vienna malt, sometimes making up 100% of the grains. Vienna Lagers are light amber to copper hued with a firm bitterness behind the elegant malt, medium body, moderate carbonation, and a range of around 4.7% to 5.5% ABV. You find a delicate bready character, often with light toasty notes, a cereal-like maltiness, and a dry finish. The modern Dark (and Amber) Mexican Lagers are lighter bodied, have a sweet corn-like complexion, and a focus on caramel notes instead of toasted bread flavors. This is a result of the heavy use of maize in the grain bill.

By contrast, the lighter, more common Pale Lager version, typically labeled simply as Mexican Lager, more resembles the American Lager than its historically Germanic cousin. Color ranges from light-toned straw to golden with medium-low to medium bitterness, high carbonation, and a range of 4.5% to 6% ABV or so. The use of flaked maize gives them an aroma of sweet corn along with a vitamin zing from the yeast. Quite the drinkable and refreshing beer.

Here on this side of the border in Orange County, CA, we have some amazing examples of Vienna and Mexican Lagers. Stereo Brewing in Placentia has offered its Oktoberfest as a Vienna Lager. Toasted burnt sugar and dark honey flavors and firm bitterness on the finish. Helmsmen Ale House in Newport Beach usually has a Vienna Lager as well. A readily available and fantastic Pale Mexican Lager is Mexican Radio from 1886 Brewing in Orange; a crisp and lively pale version that needs more love. Radiant, Green Cheek, Santa Ana River, Unsung, Artifex, and Bottle Logic usually offer wonderful and invigorating Pale/Dark (and/or Amber) Mexican Lagers. Keep an eye out at those locations and other local spots to release one if they have not already.

With food, it is important to remember to keep the intensities in mind and keep the salsa and chili at respectable levels to avoid overpowering the beer. Mexican Lagers tend to find themselves alongside Tex-Mex, traditional Mexican plates, and Latin American cuisine. Tacos, Burritos, Tostadas, Enchiladas, or Nachos find wonderful partners with both versions of the Lager, lime or not. They won’t offend the dish, and the carbonation will provide a nice contrast by scrubbing away any fats and oils. However, some grilled fish tacos might be the best example where both versions (Pale or Amber/Dark) of the Lager will find an ally. Keep it simple here and char the fish over the grill and serve on a corn tortilla that has been heated over the same flame with a bit of oil, add some onion, cilantro, cabbage or lettuce, and squeeze some lime into it to resonate with the refreshing nature of the beer. Side dishes like earthy beans, savory rice, and umami-rich cotija cheese will flavor-hook with the cracked cereal grain and corn flavors in the Lager. The darker Vienna Lagers and Amber/Dark Mexican Lagers find partners with dishes when grilled and roasted meats are involved to bridge the browning in the carne asada, pollo a la parrilla, or al pastor with the toasted bread, gram cracker, and/or caramel notes in the beer.

What about the music? Eventually, yes, an influx of German immigrants brought polka music them. There were several waves of European immigration to Mexico. So, not directly connected, but it's fun to think about.

We all have traditions. Although I may not always express it, my Mexican heritage flows through my blood as freely as these beers at a ‘fiesta de cumple.’ I dedicate much time with my family -my father in particular- and we devote hours upon hours chatting about absolutely nothing while enjoying a few Mexican Lagers. Even though beers from Mexico have Germanic origins, the connections I've built with my father have no borders. It is because of him that I am who I am. And a good Mexican Lager beer, lime or not, will always keep us together.

Mexicans. Aren't. Going. Anywhere!

¡Salud y Viva México!

-Gilbert “Charlie” Perez, Advanced Cicerone®

References

Alworth, J. (2015, 2021). The Beer Bible. Workman.

Amato, M. (2014). Beerology: Everything You Need to Know to Enjoy Beer… Even More. Appetite by Random House.

Carpenter, D., (2017). Lager: The Definitive Guide to Tasting and Brewing the World's Most Popular Beer Styles. Voyageur Press.

Dornbusch, H. D. (1997). Prost! The Story of German Beer. Brewers Publications (Brewers Association).

Kraus-Weyermann, T., Dornbusch, H. D. (2018). Dark Lagers: History, Mystery, Brewing Techniques, Recipes. Master Brewers Associations of the Americas (MBAA).

Herz, J., Conley, G. (2015). Beer Pairing: The Essential Guide from the Pairing Pros. Voyageur Press.

McCalman, M., Gibbons, D. (2009). Mastering Cheese: Lessons for Connoisseurship from a Maître Fromager. Clarkson Potter.

Oliver, G. (2003). The Brewmaster’s Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food. HarperCollins.

Oliver, G. (2012). The Oxford Companion to Beer. Oxford University Press.

https://www.casketbeer.com/home/2022/12/1/mexican-lager-history-and-appropriation

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maximilian-archduke-of-Austria-and-emperor-of-Mexico

The Savior: The Liquid Bread Lagerbiers from Helles to Bock

Hofbräu Maibock

*Portions of this essay have been obtained, added to, and/or modified from previous publications I authored on this subject matter elsewhere.*

*Current update: 05/01/2026*

#DrinkMoreDoppelbock

We’ve all heard beer referred to as liquid bread once or twice. This analogy fits many styles such as a Bavarian Weissbier, Belgian Witbier, or other wheat beers. But despite not generally containing wheat, the Bock Lagerbier family of beers has a greater affinity to liquid bread than any other.

Doppelbock has a direct connection to lent, specifically the fasting aspect that is typically a monastic practice. This beer style is often said to have originated in Munich, and monks are credited for its creation. Although technically true, the origin story begins in northern Germany, and the monks were from elsewhere in Europe.

Paulaner Salvator

The Bockbier family and some other well-known German lager styles are also synonymous with seasons along with significant occasions. As the late-great Michael Jackson (no, not that MJ.. the beer writer of the same name) said on the inspiring program The Beer Hunter, “a beer for every season. And an occasion for every beer... In Bavaria they say the year has five seasons; the fifth season has its official start here, at the beginning of May with the appearance of the rich, dark, powerful brew.”

He was referring to the Helles Bock, or Maibock, or sometimes called "Frühlingsbock" (Spring Bock). The Helles Bock gets tapped while the weather is still warming up and might still have days of cool weather in May when spring is in full bloom, but it is no longer snowing. Summer arrives and we have the Munich Helles being chugged by the litter in Biergarten's across Bavaria. Fall brings out the partygoers when the Märzen/Festbier is tapped and the Oktoberfest celebration occurs. Winter ushers in the Christmas Bock or "Weihnachtsbock,” which we know here as traditional Bockbier or Dunkles Bock. And finally, around Ash Wednesday to Easter during the first quarter of the year (give or take) when winter still has a firm grip, we have Doppelbock.

Chrismas Bock by Enegren

Bockbier is under the German tax law as Starkbier, Strong Beer. These beers are at least 6% ABV. All Bockbier, including some not mentioned in this post, is Starkbier according to the tax law. Starkbierzeit (Strong Beer Season) is when the strongest beers show up, usually around Lent, and Maibock serves as the changeover from Starkbierzeit to early summer drinking in Biergarten's.

The story of Maibock, Bockbier, and Doppelbock begins in the city of Einbeck, located in northern Germany, in the mid-1500s. Einbeck was a thriving trade city, and its specialty trade item was beer. This ale was made with lightly kilned barley & wheat and was generously hopped. Einbeck's beer made its way into many cities including Munich. The ruling family of Bavaria was particularly fond of the Einbeck brew. Plenty of money was being spent on this beer and this caught the attention of the royals, the Wittelsbach’s. Some brewmasters from Einbeck were brought to Munich in 1540 to teach the Munich brewers a thing or two.

It is reasonable to believe that this is what prompted Duke Wilhelm V to construct the now-infamous Hofbräuhaus in 1589-90. By about 1610, Einbecker was being produced by the royals and sold to some of the public as well.

In 1612, Duke Maximillian I, Wilhelm V’s successor, convinced (perhaps coerced?) well-regarded Einbeck brewer Elias Pichler to move down to Munich and improve the Einbecker clones which were not living up to the northern originals. Pichler refined the brew to fit the parameters set forth about 100 years prior (The Reinheitsgebot, see the previous post). This meant the Einbecker no longer contained wheat malt as this was reserved for special beers made for the royal family and took advantage of the lagering tactics that were already well established by Munich brewers. The resulting beer was released at the Hofbräuhaus in 1614 and it was referred to as brewed the “Einbeck way.” It has been claimed that this was not only the first Bockbier but also the birth of Maibock.

Enegren Maibock

Now to discuss the monks (friars might be more accurate, but I'll use "monks" for ease of understanding). In 1627, they came marching in from Italy (yes, Italy!) over the Alps and took home near Munich. These monks were from the order of St. Francis of Paula. They began brewing shortly after arriving. These Franciscan monks established the Paulaner Brewery in 1634 and lay claim to the Doppelbock style. However, it went by another, more divine name.

As with most devout Catholics, Lent was taken very seriously. During this time, the exaggerated tale says the monks would not eat solid food, and only liquid was allowed to be ingested. With Lent being the longest period of fasting for them, plenty of liquid would be consumed, most of which was the Bockbier they were already experts at producing. More accurately, however, the most likely the case is they would eat a small meal in the evening with a restricted diet along with plenty of beer consumption.

Over time, it is said the monks sought out the blessing from the Pope himself to consume such a wonderful beverage during Lent. The story goes that the beer arrived in a sour state after the long travel and the Pope was appalled by it. Not knowing it was infected, he gave them permission thinking they would never drink it or do so as atonement. While the validity of this part of the story needs a pinch of salt, it would be reasonable to think or assume it is at least partially true.

Upon the pontiff's alleged approval, Bockbiers got stronger over time. This was figuratively liquid bread for the Paulaner monks. It was only natural the beer was referred to as Sankt Vater Bier (Holy Father Beer) or “Salvator,” as in “The Savior,” for obvious reasons. These beers initially brewed for St. Francis Feast Day, later sold to locals who enjoyed the beer, and eventually one day turned into an eight-day Volksfest. By 1780, Paulaner was finally granted permission to brew commercially.

After the brewery came under Napoleon’s control in 1799, it lay in shambles until 1806 when it was rented by a brewer by the name of Franz Zacheri, who ultimately purchased it by 1813. Following a stretch of legal battles, in 1837 King Ludwig I finally permitted Zacheri to brew “Salvator” without obstruction. Clones were soon being produced by other breweries. The Schmederer brothers, Zacheri’s heirs, wisely trademarked “Salvator” in 1896. Paulaner is now the only one that can use the name “Salvator” for its Doppelbock. This is why we see other Doppelbocks with names such as Celebrator or Optimator keeping the “-ator” suffix since they cannot use the original name.

Celebrator Wall Mural at Ayinger
Aying, Germany

The Dunkles Bock eventually became the winter season's Starkbier. As with many other Lagerbiers and ales, the Helles Bock evolved into its current incarnation as a relatively pale lager (compared to the other Lager Bockbiers) sometime after the introduction of the Czech Premium Pale Lager, better known as the Czech Pilsner or Bohemian Pilsner, in the mid to late 1800s.

A note on how “Bockbier” got its name: It is widely believed and accepted that it is a manipulation of the word “Einbeck” in the Bavarian dialect. This would make the word sound like “Ayn pock” and eventually evolved to “ein bock” (one bock). “Bock” is also the word for “buck” or “goat” in German, explaining why so many versions of Bockbier display goats on their labels.

I find it amusing when you consider the development of the Doppelbock style was a byproduct of a testament of faith, yet goats tend to have a demonic symbolism in those same faith-based religions. I love the irony. Anyways, moving on...

Continuing the language theme, German grammar incorporates genders into nouns. One may use Heller Bock or Helles Bock, and both are correct. (Applicable to Dunkler Bock and Dunkles Bock, too). Beer itself has a neuter gender, "das Bier." Bock, or goat, is a masculine, "der Bock." Depending on how one refers to the beer, either as the style or a goat will dictate what gender it is. Masculine: der Heller/Dunkler Bock. Or neuter: das Helles/Dunkles Bock.

Maibocks are flavorful with lots of rising bread aromas but be cautious at that seemingly gentle touch. They span from about 6.3% to 7.4% ABV and colors range from deep gold to amber. Aromas of freshly baked bread, dark caramel, honey, and a delicate spicy hop note in the background. On the palate, you will get toast, slight toffee sweetness, rounding off with a modest bitterness, and a clean lager, semi-dry finish.

Dunkles Bock and Doppelbocks are amazing and flavorful, but be cautious at that seemingly gentle touch. Dunkles Bocks are 6.3% to 7.2% ABV and colors range from copper to auburn. Doppelbocks are beers made for sippin’ as they span from about 7.0% to 10.0% ABV. Colors range from mahogany to deep garnet to almost black in some examples. Both Doppelbock and Dunkles Bock have similar tasting profiles with the latter being slightly less rich in perception and parameters. Aromas are almost like rising pumpernickel bread in the oven. On the palate, you’ll get toasty and bready notes, slight caramel and toffee sweetness, finishing off with moderate bitterness and a clean lager character. The darker versions have some cocoa flavors, too. Silky, full, and round on the tongue and finishes cozy and clean.

All Bockbiers are brewed (historically, at least) using the decoction method where portions of the mash are boiled and added back to the mash to reach desired temperatures. This creates a rich, complex Mallard reaction to the finished beer. Then benefit from extended Lagering to round out the flavors. (More on Lagerbier here!)

A quick blurb on Eisbock. These Bockbiers not only originate outside of Munich, but they are also the peculiar ones of the family. The story goes, according to Kulmbacher, in 1890 a brewer forgot a couple of barrels filled with Bockbier that were supposed to go into the cellar. They instead endured the cold Franconian winter under snow and ice. When they were finally exposed in the spring, the water from the beer had frozen, expanded, and burst the barrels. The frozen liquor that was left was a concentrated concoction. Due to the freeze distillation, Eisbock's can reach upwards of 15% ABV with more richness than the most robust Doppelbock. Tread carefully!

Enjoying Aventinus Eisbock while in Munich

If you are like me are not the fasting type, Maibocks are wonderful partners with food. They bring malty, toastiness with firm bitterness to the table. They are similar but more restrained to their stronger brethren (Dunkles Bock and Doppelbock) yet share many similar flavor notes with the Märzen, while having more strength. The food pairings reflect some overlap because of this. Game meats such as venison or wild boar with fruit sauces are great complements to both the meat and the sweet malt character of the beer. Steaks, backyard burgers, ham, sausages, and some barbeque will match the intensity, toasty malts and meat find affinity, and hops cut through any sweetness or lingering fats. Carb-loaded pasta dishes with acidic red sauce are nice as long as there are some fats and meat to bridge the malt into the dish, otherwise the acidic and sugary sauce will overpower the beer. For dessert, white chocolate cheesecake is a tried-and-true pairing.

Dunkles Bock and Doppelbock also pair with game meats such as venison or wild boar. Fruit sauces are great complements to both the meat and the sweet malt character of the beer. For an interesting combination, try Doppelbock with earthy, smoky Mexican dishes such as Oaxacan Mole. Don’t stop with the main course and try a caramel flan for dessert with Ayinger's Celebrator or Andechs' Doppelbock Dunkel.

Andechs Doppelbock Dunkel with
homemade flan.

If you want to pair cheese with any of the Bockbiers, reach for Swiss Gruyère, smoked goudas, or Hoja Santa. No need for any bread or crackers as the beer provides the perfect compliment with all the toasty and nutty flavors to hug the cheese. For a unique experience, pair Doppelbock with a Triple Crème Cheese like Saint-Andre, Brillat-Savarin, or Cowgirl's Mt Tam and when they meet on the palate, I dare you not to taste chocolate cheesecake.

Should you feel brave, serve Dunkles Bock and Helles Bock in a traditional 1-liter dimpled mug (Maß) at 40°F and take your time with it. Doppelbocks require half-liter mugs and smaller glassware for Eisbocks so we can remain coherent... responsible, in other words. Or embrace the elegance of this lager and serve it in a stylish wine glass, chalice, or goblet a bit warmer, about 45°F, pair with a meal, and enjoy what the monks gave us.

Prost!

-Gilbert “Charlie” Perez, Advanced Cicerone®

*All photos by me*

References:

Alworth, J. (2015, 2021). The Beer Bible. Workman.

Amato, M. (2014). Beerology: Everything You Need to Know to Enjoy Beer… Even More. Appetite by Random House.

Dornbusch, H. D. (1997). Prost! The Story of German Beer. Brewers Publications (Brewers Association).

Dredge, M. (2019). A Brief History of Lager: 500 Years of the World's Favorite Beer. Kyle Books.

Dredge, M. (2020). https://www.markdredge.com/post/the-real-story-of-doppelbock.

Herz, J., Conley, G. (2015). Beer Pairing: The Essential Guide from the Pairing Pros. Voyageur Press.

Kraus-Weyermann, T., Dornbusch, H. D. (2018). Dark Lagers: History, Mystery, Brewing Techniques, Recipes. Master Brewers Associations of the Americas (MBAA).

McCalman, M., Gibbons, D. (2009). Mastering Cheese: Lessons for Connoisseurship from a Maître Fromager. Clarkson Potter.

Mosher, R. (2009, 2015). Tasting Beer: An Insider's Guide to the World's Greatest Drink. Storey Publishing.

Oliver, G. (2003). The Brewmaster’s Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food. HarperCollins.

Oliver, G. (2012). The Oxford Companion to Beer. Oxford University Press.

Beer and Food Are My Weaknesses

Beer and food are my weaknesses.

That may come off as if I can't say no to food and beer. What I mean is that my weakness is when both food and beer are together as a subject; food and beer pairing is the weakest part of my beer knowledge.

 
Don’t get me wrong, I like to eat. Have you seen me!? My physique confirms it.
 
I am not a foodie by any means. I like my food plain in most cases. It makes sense then that the food and beer pairings I find interesting and/or want to explore are the simple ones. For example smoked brats and Festbier, grilled salmon and Witbier, fruit salad and Gose, Manchego and American Porter, or a bloomy triple crème cheese and Doppelbock. Pairing concepts work on these simple couples to create a lovely combination. They may not be exotic or sexy or impressive, but they hit the mark and make the experience better together than if they were alone.
 
This brings me to the pairing idea which brought about these rambling thoughts: Pork carnitas tacos with cilantro, lime, and salsa paired with Radiant’s We Rock (And Roll) Hazy IPA. I may have my opinions on Hazy Ales, but I can’t deny they are food-friendly hop-balanced beers. Why? Hazy Ales have very low bitterness (usually). This works often because of the concept of intensity and how taste interactions happen on the palate. Here’s what I understand about it.

Intensity
 
Intensity can be thought of as the overall impact a dish, food, or drink has on the palate. Imagine a dish on a scale that only measures aspects that impact its intensity. The more impactful qualities it has, the more “weight” the dish will have. For example, a rich 7-layer chocolate cake is more intense than an apple. Not just by size or actual weight, but because of all the factors that impact the “weight” or intensity of the cake. The same concept works for beer. A pale American Light Lager is less intense than a Belgian Dark Strong Ale.
 
Food Intensity Factors

For food, the factors contributing can be broken down into three categories: Inherent/General, Taste/Flavor, and Preparation.

• Inherent/General involves richness, fattiness, and other complexities the dish may have such as sauces.

• Taste/Flavor includes the five basic tastes (outlined later), heat or spice (capsaicin), cooling (mint), or other noticeable flavors.

• Preparation adds intensity depending on the methods used in the dish.
• Infusing: Adding flavor in a brine or marinade, spices, or dressings.
• Preserving: Adds intensity by drying, curing, fermenting/pickling, or by candying. 
• Cooking, as basic as it may seem, is the point where it all comes together and adds even more intensity to most dishes.
• Searing: Dish is prepared by braising, roasting, frying, grilling, broiling, or smoking. 
• Reducing: A form of cooking involves either a boil or a simmer.

Beer Intensity Factors

Intensity factors for beer are much the same with a focus on traits and processes found in beer.

• Inherent/General include ABV (alcohol by volume), body, carbonation levels, and factors that impact mouthfeel such as dryness or a warming sensation.

• Taste/Flavor also considers our five basic tastes but with a focus on which ingredient they arise from. Hop bitterness, malt sweetness, saltiness or minerality from added water salts, sour or acidity from fermentation, chocolate from dark malts, coffee or acrid flavors from roasted malts or grains, smoke from unique barley, fermentation flavors such as clove or banana, and other multifaceted elements in the beer.

• Brewing Process/Additions involve the boil length (think reducing with a very long boil), intentionally leaving unfermented sugars behind (Pastry Stouts), added ingredients that can contribute heat spice, fruits, candies, added umami (oysters), herbs, spices, the dry-hopping rate, wood aging, or distilling (Eisbock).

Once all the impact factors or “weight” are figured out on the dish, finding a beer that has the same intensity is not too difficult with some practice. Finding one that plays well with taste interactions is another story.

Taste Interactions
 
We have 5 basic tastes that happen on our tongue: sour, salty, sweet, bitter, and umami. They interact with each other differently, not just in the pairing, but within the dish or food itself. Caramel or chocolate with sea salt is a simple example of that. Think of chocolate chip cookies. Most recipes will call for some salt added. Salt enhances sweetness. The contrast between the two makes sweetness pop. That’s the interaction.

Salt Interactions

Ever put salt on some watermelon? It’s amazing! Yes, you taste the salt, but the sweetness of the watermelon is explosive. Salt in a beer will highlight salt in food, but caution must be taken since salt interacting with more salt tends to aggravate each other. Sweetness is increased by salt as indicated. Acidity is tamed by salt, but umami is increased. Bitterness is toned down by salt.
 
Umami Interactions

Umami works much like salt in some ways but also has its interplay. Sweetness, acidity, and bitterness are all elevated by umami. Acidity may become aggressive. Umami with umami also is compounded.
 
Sweet Interactions

Most of us love sweetness. We crave it and our need for carbohydrates stems from an evolutionary standpoint. It’s an energy source. Sweetness as a taste is interesting because it tends to calm when interacting with more sweetness. Acidity is increased by sweetness while salt is calmed (because sweetness is increased). Bitterness can get aggravated, but roast bitterness is not as touchy. Hence why we put sweet cream in our coffee.
 
Sour Interactions

Sour is an understandably off-putting taste for many. It’s sharp, acidic, tangy, and makes some of us angry. Hell, we have a facial expression named after it! But some, like me, love the feeling. The interaction with acidity in both the food and beer is interesting as acidity is calmed when interacting with a light acidity in the partnering food or beer, but can get compounded at high levels. Sweetness is increased by acidity, which is why sweet and sour foods and sauces work so well. Salt is toned down as the acidity and salt tend to calm each other. Bitterness and acidity interactions are perplexing. Depending on the source of bitterness, it can be calmed or aggravated. However, the interactions is generally unpleasant with high hop or roast bitterness.
 
Bitter Interactions

We finally arrive at bitterness, which also has a facial expression named after it, and is very unpleasant for many. Bitterness in beer and food compounds on each other; Bitterness on top of bitterness will be perceived as even more bitter. Salt diminishes bitterness. Although there is some perception that hop bitterness, usually when at high levels, will have adverse effects and hop bitterness will draw out the salt in a dish.
 
If it isn't clear by now, the previous interaction principles is why I think low-bitterness Hazy Ales are food-friendly beers.
 
Additional Important Concepts to Consider
 
The Three C’s:

The concept of the “Three C’s” refers to Cut, Contrast, and Complement. Some of these concepts may have been mentioned in passing above. A good pairing might only target one, a better pairing might accomplish two, but some wonderful pairings achieve all three.

• Cut: This can be referred to as Cleanse. Carbonation (The 4th C?), Bitterness, and/or Acidity can act as a cutting agent.

• Contrast: Opposites attract. Flavors contrast to create a pleasant or unique experience. Tension can be a form of contrast in a pairing (see below). I’ll use sweet and sour as an example here again.

• Complement: Bridging common flavors, affinity, or harmonizing. Two or more flavors in a dance or resonate. Think about the char on grilled meats (Millard reaction) and roasted or caramel malts.

Two more C’s:

Carbonation and Clash. 

• Carbonation is sometimes considered the 4th C as it can help cleanse the palate. It is more of a sensation and mouthfeel and provides textual contrast between bites.

• Clash is just what the term implies: two flavors or tastes that clash and cause some unpleasant interactions or sensations on the palate.

The Three T’s:

These include Temperature, Texture, and Tension.

• Temperature may seem simple as most food is warm, and beer is usually cold. But sometimes this can bring about a unique situation where the dish is cold, so you must keep temperature in mind on how this will affect the experience with a very cold beer. It is even more thought-provoking when the dish has multiple temperatures on the same dish. Cake and ice cream, anyone? Beer isn’t always ice cold, either. Sometimes, depending on style, it should be more on the cellar temperate range. On some occasions, serving warm beer may be the ticket.

• Texture of food is complex! Is it crumbly or creamy? Maybe it melts. Does it have a crunch? Is it a tough bite or does it crunch easily? Is it slimy? Thick or thin? Wet? Is it leafy? Or perhaps it is fatty and coating? Fattiness in a dish is friendly for beer pairing. It can alleviate many adverse interactions, especially with bitterness. Adding cream or fat (like cheese) to a dish can make for better pairings. For beer, it’s more about mouthfeel. Carbonation, body, alcohol warmth, or puckering sensations are instances of beer texture. Few foods have carbonation and that is a beneficial texture in beer as it has cutting capabilities. That’s an example of using contrast with beer texture in a pairing while also cutting through some fat.

• Tension is another contrasting point. It stands out but does not clash with other ingredients or flavors. Mint, cayenne, chili flakes, chili oil, or acid added to a sweet dish like tart cherry drizzle on some chocolate cake. Tension is achieved when the flavor is in the background yet is noticeable.

What the F...

Fat has been listed as an emerging taste in some texts or studies. While not conclusive (yet?), it can be understood that fattiness is a texture (as outlined above). It can be staining, coating, and contribute to the richness of a dish.

Typical Flavor Interactions

There are common flavor interactions that are well understood and are not too complicated to comprehend. Simple interactions between beer flavors and food are listed here.

• Hop Flavors and Bitterness
• Complement fruit, citrus, herb, and spice flavors.
• Bitterness can cut the effects of fat: cheese, heavy meats, or cream.
• Malt Flavors
• Harmonize with caramelized, Millard (browning), and toasted flavors.
• Malt sweetness can soothe the fiery effects of capsaicin heat.
• Roast flavors
• Complement chocolate, burnt, char, or caramelized flavors.
• Can cut fat, contrast sweetness, and increase umami.
• Fermentation Flavors
• Esters can harmonize with fruity flavors and with foods such as dairy.
• Phenolic flavors provide bridges with spices and contrast with fat and umami.
• Tartness can:
• Brighten up sweet foods such as fruit.
• Provide a sharp contrast to rich, fatty foods.
• See Texture above.
• Alcohol complements sweetness and cuts fat.
• High ABV beers with residual sweetness pair well with salty cheese.
• See Texture above.
• Carbonation
• See Texture above.

And Then…

• Third Flavor: 2+2=5. When two flavors combine to form a new one.

• Pitfalls: There’s a lot of them. For instance, oily fish and hop bitterness can taste metallic. Bitterness will accentuate capsaicin heat (unless one wants more fire!). Some phenolic flavors can become harsh depending on the food. With practice and experimentation, more will become apparent.

• Cheese (and other fun pairings): An entirely different discussion with the same pairing concepts.
• Focus on cheese fat content, texture, saltiness, bitterness, fermentation and/or cheese making process, umami, rind, and bridging flavors.

Bring It All Together
 
We can finally bring it all together and explain why this simple pairing works. Carnitas are prepared by slow cooking for a few hours in lard combined with fresh-squeezed oranges and limes (orange and lime peels thrown in, too!), pale macro lager, and a dash of salt. Bring water, lard, and salt to a boil, throw in the carnitas with lime juice, toss in the peels, and let the frying begin. Once browned, after stirring to prevent sticking, top off the evaporated moisture with fresh-squeezed orange juice and let those peels fall in, too. After the carnitas are almost done, top off with a can of American Lager to add a bit of complexity to the meat. Shredded and served on corn tortillas that are toasted over an open flame, topped with minced cilantro, lime, and some fresh hot sauce.
 
And now, as Vessel from Sleep Token would say, take a bite (if you know, you know). Carnitas are inherently salty. Any remnants of bitterness in the beer is toned down by the salt content while the saltiness contrasts the sweetness of the beer making the uncooked flour and flatbread malt notes pop. A high concentration of hop oil lends to pine needles, white strawberry, peach flesh, and pineapple chunks bridge with the orange zest and lime spritz flavors in the pork. Cilantro contrasted the citrus-heavy flavors in the meat while also contrasting the guava and lychee fruit character in the beer. Any bitterness that threatened perception was quickly contrasted by the fat in the carnitas, too. The char on the tortilla and salsa added a bit of tension while the carbonation provided the texture contrast to the fat and the prickly effervescence cuts by scrubbing the palate.

Next time, I might try this with an American Brown Ale and use a Hazy Ale to cook with instead of an American Lager. I wonder what that will taste like?

Sushi, anyone?

Beer and food pairing is a convoluted subject. Pairings can be simple while achieving all the intensity matching and flavor interactions we understand. But after writing over 2300 words on what should be a simple pairing, I can’t help but wonder, does my not being a foodie really make this a weakness?
 
Oh, well. I’m hungry now. What are we pairing with that sushi? I’ll bring the beer.

Cheers!

-Gilbert “Charlie” Perez, Advanced Cicerone®

References

Alworth, J. (2015, 2021). The Beer Bible. Workman.

Amato, M. (2014). Beerology: Everything You Need to Know to Enjoy Beer… Even More. Appetite by Random House.

Amato, M. (2021) Mastering Beer & Food Pairing by Beerology. Course Completed on 12/2021. https://beerology.thinkific.com/courses/food-pairing

Herz, J., Conley, G. (2015). Beer Pairing: The Essential Guide from the Pairing Pros. Voyageur Press.

McCalman, M., Gibbons, D. (2009). Mastering Cheese: Lessons for Connoisseurship from a Maître Fromager. Clarkson Potter.

Oliver, G. (2003). The Brewmaster’s Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food. HarperCollins.

Oliver, G. (2012). The Oxford Companion to Beer. Oxford University Press.