The 10 Best Beers For Pulled Pork

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Whether they are simply served alongside one another or the pork is cooked in beer, shredded pork and beer are natural partners and always make for a delightful combination.

Appreciating the delectable scents, in this case emanating from the slow cooker, is one of the nicest features of the latter, in addition to enjoying the ultimate product.

  1. Amber ales (Skip the aggressively hopped ones)
  2. Brown ales
  3. Porter ales
  4. Belgian Dubbel ale
  5. Winter warmer ales
  6. Quadrupel ale
  7. Stouts (To balance the harshness of the roasted barley in Irish stout’s grain bills, you might wish to use more brown sugar in the rub when preparing Guinness pulled pork (or when using another Irish stout)
  8. Amber lagers such as Vienna lager and Marzen
  9. Triple ale
  10. Dark lagers such as  schwarzbier, Dunkel, bock, and doppelbock

What Happens When You Add Beer To Pulled Pork?

When you add beer to pulled pork, the flavors of the beer will come through and complement the flavors of the pork. The beer adds a depth of flavor to the pork that is simply unparalleled. 

If you are using a light beer, it will not add much flavor to the dish.  If you are using a darker beer, it will add a deeper flavor. Either way, the result will be delicious!

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Why Do You Need Beer For Pulled Pork

Beer is a great addition to pulled pork because it helps to tenderize the meat and also adds a lot of flavors. The beer will also keep the pork moist while it cooks, which is essential for a dish like this.

Ingredients

Pork

Use a chunk of pork shoulder or butt that weighs between 3 and 4 pounds. The cut should be boneless, but if there is a small amount of shoulder blade bone, do not panic; it will be simple to remove in the end.

Beer

Here in Fort Collins, at the Horse & Dragon Brewing Company, we utilized a fantastic artisan brown ale. It worked flawlessly and had overtones of blackberry and toasted, burnt caramel. See the list below for more fashion advice.

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Onion

Use a sizable red, white, or yellow onion.

Rub dry

You will need coarse salt, brown sugar, sweet or smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano to make the seasoning for the pork.

How To Make Beer-Pulled Pork

  • The first step is to brown the pork in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pork is nicely browned, add the beer and some chicken broth to the pan. 
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer and then let it cook for about 30 minutes.
  • After the 30 minutes are up, add your favorite BBQ sauce to the pan and stir everything around until well combined. Let the sauce come to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
  • After the 15 minutes are up, your beer-pulled pork is ready to serve! Serve it on some fresh buns with a side of coleslaw and enjoy!

Best Beer For Pulled Pork

  1. Amber ales

Amber ales are typically malty and slightly sweet, with a moderate to high hop bitterness. Caramel malt gives the amber ale its characteristic amber color.

  1. Brown ales

Brown ales are typically dark brown, with a malty sweetness and a moderate to high hop bitterness.

  1. Porter ales

Porters are typically dark brown to black, with a malty sweetness and a moderate to high hop bitterness Caramel malt and roasted barley are used to give the porter its characteristic flavor.

  1. Belgian Dubbel ale

Belgian Dubbel ales are typically deep amber to brown, with a malty sweetness and moderate to high hop bitterness.

  1. Winter warmer ales

Winter warmer ales are typically deep amber to brown, with a malty sweetness and moderate to high hop bitterness. 

  1. Quadrupel ale

Quadrupel ales are typically deep amber to brown, with a malty sweetness and moderate to high hop bitterness. Caramel malt is used to give the ale its characteristic color

  1. Stouts 

Stouts are typically dark brown to black, with a roasted, coffee-like flavor and a moderate to high hop bitterness. Roasted barley is used to give the stout its characteristic flavor.

  1. Amber lagers

Amber lagers are typically deep amber to brown, with a malty sweetness and moderate to high hop bitterness

  1. Triple ale

Triple ales are typically deep amber to brown, with a malty sweetness and moderate to high hop bitterness. 

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  1. Dark lagers

For a deeper color, you could use some roasted barley or chocolate malt in the grain bill.

Why Are Some Beers Better Than Others For Pulled Pork?

When it comes to pulled pork, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, you want to make sure that the beer you use is not too hoppy. Hoppy beers can tend to be a bit too bitter for pulled pork, and can also add an unpleasant aftertaste. Instead, opt for a malty beer with little to no hops. Amber ales and lagers are usually good choices for pulled pork.

Another thing to consider is the alcohol content of the beer you use. Too much alcohol can make the meat tough, so it’s best to stick with something on the lower end of the spectrum. A light or session beer is usually your best bet.

Finally, you’ll want to make sure that the beer you use is not too sweet. This can throw off the flavor of the pulled pork and make it cloying. Instead, go for a beer with a clean, crisp flavor that won’t interfere with the taste of the meat.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

How Should Leftover Pulled Pork Be Stored?

You can store any leftovers for up to five days in the refrigerator by placing them in an airtight container. Any leftovers can also be frozen for up to three months in a freezer Ziploc bag.

What Else Can I Substitute For Beer?

You can use water, apple juice, hard cider, or even root beer! Instead of creating pulled pork with beer, you may create this with any ingredients you have on hand.

You can store any leftovers for up to five days in the refrigerator by placing them in an airtight container. Any leftovers can also be frozen for up to three months in a freezer Ziploc bag.