Beer voted best match to food

Beer has officially been voted the best alcoholic drink match to pub food following a debate on the subject.

Although wine is traditionally chosen as the most complimentary drink to food, the pub and bar operators who attended the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, decided beer’s versatility and wide variety of styles and flavours put it above the traditional choice.

At the start of the debate in Leeds last week wine attracted 47 votes while beer came second place with 46. Cider came much further down the scale with just four votes.

However, following input from a range of speakers, including Henry Chevallier Guild of Aspall Cider, Justin Adams of Greene King and Ian Harris of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, the votes changed to 47 for beer, 22 for wine and 18 for cider.

The ALMR said: “Perhaps the most significant message to come out of the whole debate is that the trade can easily capitalise on the growing consumer interest in the style and subtleties of what they are drinking. A little bit of information and some gentle suggestions can promote sales of all products, and perhaps a cross category approach to drinks and food matching would help pubs and producers alike.” .

Beer is rapidly making a greater impact on menus in restaurants too. At Jun Tanaka’s Pearl restaurant in London beer and wine recommendations accompany the tasting menu while Belgo has the same idea with its Oktoberfeast menu.

Last year Sam’s Chop House in Leeds recruited its first beer sommelier to help diners choose the right beers for certain dishes.

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