There are many different types of beer, and each one has its unique flavor. Some beers are perfect for certain dishes, while others are not as compatible. If you are looking for the best beer to use in your hearty beef stew, look no further!
In this blog post, we will discuss the top 10 beers that are perfect for Guinness Beef Stew. We will also provide tips on choosing the right beer for your needs. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
- Stouts
- Porters
- Brown ales
- Dark lagers
- Medium- to full-bodied lagers
- Amber ales
- Guinness Draught
- Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
- Samuel Adams Boston Lager
- Deschutes Brewery The Abyss
What Happens When You Add Beer To Stew?
Protein, seasonings, veggies, and liquids are the foundation of stews. Popular stew recipe additions include liquids like broth, water, and alcoholic beverages like wine and beer.
Beer deepens and develops flavor levels in a stew. Stronger, more robust meats like beef, venison, elk, or bison match nicely with a full-bodied, dark beer with savory overtones. Lagers can be used in lighter stews to give shellfish, chicken, or beans a delicately flowery, mellow tone.
Use a beer you would enjoy drinking on its own. That is the most crucial thing to remember. Beer will impart its flavors to the other ingredients as it cooks in the stew. The tastes are concentrated as a result of the beer cooking down at least a little. A beer you detest will rarely result in a good stew.
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Why You Need Beer For Beef Stew
There are a few key reasons beer is the perfect addition to beef stew.
- The hops in the beer add a bitterness that helps to balance out the richness of the stew.
- Alcohol in beer helps to tenderize the meat, making it more flavorful and easier to chew
- The carbonation in beer helps to thicken the stew and give it a nice, creamy texture. So next time you make beef stew, add a little beer to the pot!
Best Beer For Beef Stew
The styles of beer that work best in beef stews include:
- Stouts
Stouts have a very dark hue and a mildly nutty, roasted, molasses-like flavor due to the use of black unmalted barley in their production. Most stouts have an ABV between 4 and 6%, similar to Guinness.
- Porters
Porters are also dark and have chocolate flavors and subtle grain overtones. They typically range in alcohol by volume from 4.5 to 6% and don’t frequently have a boppy bitterness.
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- Brown ales
Brown ales have toasty and caramel flavors and are deep copper to dark brown. American brown ales typically contain more hops than their English equivalents. ABV estimates range from 4.2 to 6.3%.
- Dark lagers
Dark lagers come in a wide variety; they can be nutty (like a Czech dark lager) or chocolaty (like Dunkles) or even have additions of smoke, wood, or fruit. Dark lagers can have an ABV ranging from 4.5% to just under 7% because of this variation. Deep black to dark brown can be found in dark lagers.
- Medium- to full-bodied lagers
These lagers can provide a stew with a smooth yet spicy touch. They have aromas of caramel, crusty bread, and almonds and range in color from straw to golden. Most range from 3 to 6% ABV.
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- Amber ales
Amber ales have an ABV of 4.6% to 6.1% and taste lemony and malty. Amber ales look golden-red and have a piney hop flavor.
- Guinness Draught
The classic creamy Guinness is a great pairing for beef stew. The deep, rich flavor of the Guinness will complement the hearty flavors of the stew.
- Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
This hoppy, American IPA is a great match for beef stew. The bitterness of the hops will help to cut through the richness of the stew and provide a balance to the dish.
- Samuel Adams Boston Lager
This crisp, clean lager is a perfect pairing for beef stew. The maltiness of the beer will complement the sweetness of the vegetables in the stew.
- Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale
This American pale ale has a nice balance of malt and hops that make it a great choice for beef stew.
Beers To Stay Away From When Making Beer For Beef Stew
There are a few types of beer that you should avoid when making beef stew. These include:
Beers With High Alcohol Content
The higher the alcohol content, the more likely it is to evaporate during cooking. This can leave your beef stew tasting watered down and less flavorful.
Beers With Strong Flavors
Strongly flavored beers can overwhelm the other flavors in your beef stew, making it taste unbalanced.
Beers With Added Spices
Spicy beers can make your beef stew taste too spicy. Stick to more mellow-flavored beers instead.
Sour Beers
Sour beers can add an unwanted tartness to your beef stew. Choose a different type of beer to avoid this issue.
Fruit Beers
Fruit beers can make your beef stew taste too sweet. Stick to more traditional, non-fruit beers instead.
Read More: The Best Beer For People Who Don’t Like Beer
Frequently Asked Question
Can Lager Be Used For Ale In Beef Stew?
Dark or full-bodied beer is perfect for a meat stew. Red meat will go nicely with the powerful flavors of full-bodied and dark lagers.
Even the floral hoppiness of lagers can evoke the herbaceous, vegetal flavors of the stew’s other ingredients.
What Difference Does Stout Have From Ale?
Ales and stouts are the two most common types of beer. Ale is brewed using top-fermenting yeast and is frequently characterized as powerful, flavorful, and hearty. A herbal flavor is added to ale by the addition of hops.
An ale is lighter than a stout. Comparing stouts to ales, they are significantly darker and stronger. Compared to ale, stout contains more alcohol.