How To Pair Beer With Mexican Food
We know you're probably thinking that it's easy to pair beer with Mexican food. All you have to do is stick a lime in a Corona and call it a day right? However, other beers can really complement certain dishes extremely well and bring out unique flavors, just like a good wine pairing. If you're not sure where to start, here are some flavor combinations that can steer you in the right direction.
Bright Flavors with Light Beers
Although Mexican food is known for its hearty and spicy flavors, many dishes are also bright, vibrant and lively. Dishes that feature citrus flavors and seafood are best paired with light beers. You don't want your drink to be too heavy and wash out the light flavors of the dish. If you choose a lighter flavored beer, it will enhance the flavors of the dish. Light beers will pair well with:
Lobster Tacos - 2 fried lobster tacos with lettuce, cheese, cilantro and ranch dressing. Served with rice.
Seafood Enchilada Dinner - 2 shrimp and crab stuffed enchiladas covered with a white cream cheese sauce. Served with rice & beans.
Shrimp or Grouper Tacos - 2 sauteed shrimp or grouper tacos with lettuce, cheese, cilantro and ranch dressing. Served with rice.
Rich, Crispy Dishes with Amber Beers
Dishes like carnitas and fajitas need a beer with a bit more flavor to stand up to their rich flavors, as less potent beers can taste flavorless compared to these meaty dishes. These dishes offer a fair deal of crispy caramelization, which opens the doors to more darker beers. Amber and darker beers will pair well with:
Steak Fajitas - Grilled to order steak on a bed of onions & peppers. Served with rice, beans, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes and flour tortillas.
Chimichanga - Large flour tortilla stuffed with meat & cheese. Deep fried & topped with lettuce, sour cream & green onions. Served with rice & beans.
Carnitas Tacos - 2 slow roasted pork tacos topped with lettuce, cheese, guacamole, tomatoes, onions & cilantro. Served with black beans and rice.
Spicy Flavors with Malty Beers
When it comes to extra spicy dishes, it's more important to know what beers to stay clear of, which are beers with high levels of carbonation, excessive bitterness and elevated alcohol levels. All three will intensify the spiciness and potentially throw the dish out of balance in an unpleasant way. Malty beers are the best when the dish is more on the spicy side.
Mexican Fireballs - Diced jalapenos mixed with cheeses, breaded and fired. Served with ranch.
Chipotle - A large burrito stuffed with beans, cheese & chipotle sauce, topped with cheese & sour cream. Grilled onions & peppers on the side.
Loaded Nachos - Fajita chicken, black beans, chili con queso. Topped with lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo and jalapenos.
Now that you know what flavors go well with a few beers, come on our to our Lake of the Ozarks Mexican restaurant and give it a try! Happy Hour is Tuesday - Friday from 4:00 - 6:00 PM and features beer and margarita specials. Don't forget about our famous Taco Tuesdays where you can enjoy tasty a la carte tacos for just a $1 each! We can't wait to see you soon!
Bright Flavors with Light Beers
Although Mexican food is known for its hearty and spicy flavors, many dishes are also bright, vibrant and lively. Dishes that feature citrus flavors and seafood are best paired with light beers. You don't want your drink to be too heavy and wash out the light flavors of the dish. If you choose a lighter flavored beer, it will enhance the flavors of the dish. Light beers will pair well with:
Lobster Tacos - 2 fried lobster tacos with lettuce, cheese, cilantro and ranch dressing. Served with rice.
Seafood Enchilada Dinner - 2 shrimp and crab stuffed enchiladas covered with a white cream cheese sauce. Served with rice & beans.
Shrimp or Grouper Tacos - 2 sauteed shrimp or grouper tacos with lettuce, cheese, cilantro and ranch dressing. Served with rice.
Rich, Crispy Dishes with Amber Beers
Dishes like carnitas and fajitas need a beer with a bit more flavor to stand up to their rich flavors, as less potent beers can taste flavorless compared to these meaty dishes. These dishes offer a fair deal of crispy caramelization, which opens the doors to more darker beers. Amber and darker beers will pair well with:
Steak Fajitas - Grilled to order steak on a bed of onions & peppers. Served with rice, beans, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes and flour tortillas.
Chimichanga - Large flour tortilla stuffed with meat & cheese. Deep fried & topped with lettuce, sour cream & green onions. Served with rice & beans.
Carnitas Tacos - 2 slow roasted pork tacos topped with lettuce, cheese, guacamole, tomatoes, onions & cilantro. Served with black beans and rice.
Spicy Flavors with Malty Beers
When it comes to extra spicy dishes, it's more important to know what beers to stay clear of, which are beers with high levels of carbonation, excessive bitterness and elevated alcohol levels. All three will intensify the spiciness and potentially throw the dish out of balance in an unpleasant way. Malty beers are the best when the dish is more on the spicy side.
Mexican Fireballs - Diced jalapenos mixed with cheeses, breaded and fired. Served with ranch.
Chipotle - A large burrito stuffed with beans, cheese & chipotle sauce, topped with cheese & sour cream. Grilled onions & peppers on the side.
Loaded Nachos - Fajita chicken, black beans, chili con queso. Topped with lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo and jalapenos.
Now that you know what flavors go well with a few beers, come on our to our Lake of the Ozarks Mexican restaurant and give it a try! Happy Hour is Tuesday - Friday from 4:00 - 6:00 PM and features beer and margarita specials. Don't forget about our famous Taco Tuesdays where you can enjoy tasty a la carte tacos for just a $1 each! We can't wait to see you soon!
6605 HWY 54
Osage Beach, MO 65065
573-302-0419
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