Global Traditions: The Art of Pairing Salty Snacks with Cold Beer

The pairing of baseball and peanuts have been forever bonded by the Tin Pan Alley tune of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” but how did they become such a staple of baseball stadiums throughout the world? The story goes – a peanut company was offered ad space on the scorecards of a baseball game but instead of paying with money, they paid in peanuts. These peanuts sold very well at the game because they provided something for idle hands to do between the action in the game. But what really cemented their status as quintessential in ballparks was that they were a perfect pairing for beer. It’s not just baseball fans that enjoy pairing salty snacks with beer – it’s something that transcends borders and cultures. Pairing salty snacks and cold beer comes naturally so let’s explore some of these pairings from nations around the world together.

The Rising Popularity of Beer in Asia

The popularity of beer has exploded in Asia. Once a continent that relied mostly on imports from Europe, many countries now have their own domestic beer industries producing local beers to suit the tastes of their country. One such country is India – a country that can claim to have the first European-style brewery in Asia. India still largely favors higher proof spirits like whiskey and other traditional beverages but beer’s popularity has been steadily growing since its introduction in the 18th century.

Bold Indian Flavors

Indian cuisine is bold and vibrant with many spices and levels of piquance; that is why many of their most popular beers are equally bold and quite strong. When pairing with Indian snacks, make sure you’re pairing with stronger beers that can keep up with those flavors like an India Pale Ale (it’s right in the name!). For instance, Chana Jor Garam is commonly found on the streets of every major Indian city by vendors. They are made by cooking chickpeas and flattening them into little discs then fried. They are seasoned to make them salty and flavorful. Pair this with big tropical fruit forward beers like Goose Island’s Big Juicy Beer Hug, Founders Mortal Bloom, Alter Rally Point, or Go Brewing Sunshine State (NA).

Korea: The Chi-Mek Phenomenon

In Korea, there is a phenomenon called Chi-Mek; a portmanteau of Chicken and mekju (Korean for beer). Fried chicken has become the most popular beer pairing in the country and even though Korean fried chicken has made its way to America, the pairing is not as well known here. Korean tastes in beer mostly favor beers with lower bitterness. Many Koreans enjoy their domestic pale lagers with fried chicken but they also splurge for Budweiser or Bud Light quite often. Since it is often smothered in sweet & spicy sauces, great craft pairings for Korean fried chicken would be Goose Island 312 or IPA, Deschutes Fresh Squeezed, Spiteful Bleacher Bum, Hopewell Clean Livin’, or Haymarket Hay-Z IPA.

Chinese Snacks and Craft Pairings

In China, beer’s popularity has grown even faster than in India, leading to a rise in local craft beers. Beer consumption with meals is very common in the country and their popular pale ale style beers pair well with almost everything. One such snack is shrimp flavored chips – Chinese drinkers often go for a puffed starch version called Ha Peen or prawn crackers. These often colorful chips have a salty seafood flavor and have a crispy crunch similar to chicharrones. They are light and delicate in their flavor so they pair well with lighter bodied beers like pilsners or lagers. Budweiser, Bud Light, or Michelob Ultra all go well with these foods but some craft options would be Hopewell Tankbeer, Spiteful Lager, or Haymarket Chicago Tavern Beer.

Oktoberfest and Malaysian Fusion

Oktoberfest is one of the world’s liveliest celebrations and has been adopted (as well as adapted) by many countries around the world. Here in Malaysia, all it takes is a selection of fine beers and good food to get into the spirit of the festival. Apart from the usual suspects that you’ll find at Oktoberfest eg. wiener schnitzel, wursti (sausages), brezen (pretzels), and sauerkraut, here are some of our favourite foods that pair well with beer:

• Cheese Pizza: Some cheese enthusiasts even claim that is goes better with beer as the tannins found in wine can complicate the process of matching flavours.
• Chicken Curry: Pairing the spiciness of the curry with a flavoured beer such as a spicy pale ale will bring a whole new level to enjoying home–cooked food.
• Mutton Varuval: Intense spices meets the light sweetness of a (preferably) wheat beer making it a feast for the senses.
• Tandoori Chicken: We love pairing tender pieces of hot chicken from the tandoor with the smoky flavours of dark beers, such as stout. Stouts have a unique smooth flavour with hints of coffee/mocha that seem to dance along handsomely with charred chicken.

Latin American Deep Fried Staples

Speaking of chicharrones – not to be confused with Chicharrón, a dish popular in Portugal, Spain, Philippines, and Latin America – it has been a staple snack in Latin America for decades and is growing in popularity in the US. Most commonly made from pork skin, these deep fried puffed chips create a satisfying crunch while enjoying your favorite beer. Available in many flavors and levels of spiciness, these chips obviously pair well with cervezas and other Mexican-style beers.

Quick Pairing Reference Guide