December 17, 2020 | By Julie Walker
8 Perfect Pairings: The Best Beers for Latkes, Brisket & Other Jewish Delicacies
As you know, pairing beer with food is kind of our thing. From matching meals with what’s on tap at local breweries to sending gift boxes of beer and cheese to guests on our virtual events, we love teaching the community how to best experience food and beer together. With the holidays upon us, we get a whole feast of festive flavors to complement and contrast. In the spirit of Hanukkah, here are 8 Jewish foods that taste great with beer.
Latkes
Latkes, or fried potato pancakes, are a traditional Jewish food you’ll find on many Hanukkah tables. These crispy critters are deliciously greasy and made even better when served with a dollop of applesauce. Lucky for us, beer cuts through fat. Since latkes tend to have a milder flavor, pair these tasty pancakes with a light and effervescent Pilsner. The carbonation will help cleanse your palate, and the slight bitterness will contrast nicely with the sweetness of the applesauce.
Challah
Challah is a loaf of white, leavened bread. Traditionally, the bread is made of six braided strands, symbolizing the six days leading up to the Shabbat. As beer is pretty much liquid bread, it’s a natural choice for pairing. Lean into that grain and pair your challah with a Witbier! Wibiers, which include both wheat and malted barley in the brew, have a sweet and bready flavor that complements the challah nicely. If you’re enjoying an egg challah with raisins or saffron, even better! Witbiers also have hints of clove or citrus, which would play nicely off these additions.
Sufganiyot (Jelly Donuts)
Jelly donuts are possibly one of the tastiest staples of Jewish cuisine, and they aren’t just a random dessert. Deep-fried treats in general symbolize the miraculous burning oil lamps in the ancient Holy Temple of Jerusalem. To balance out the fat and up the tartness of the fruit, try pairing your sufganiyot with a fruited sour beer or a Gose. If you like things especially sweet instead, try a porter. The maltiness of this beer will blend nicely with the jelly.
Chicken Matzo Ball Soup
Warm and comforting, matzo ball soup is typically enjoyed during Passover. The umami nature of this dish lends a great flavor when combining it with beer. To bring in a bit of both bitterness and sweetness, try enjoying the soup with an amber ale or ESB. Both of these styles are beautifully balanced. They also both have enough robust flavors to work together with the soup, so neither the beer nor the food is lost in the pairing.
Brisket
Looking for something rich, savory, and juicy? Look no further than brisket, a kosher cut of meat that is typically braised for the Jewish holidays. You’ll need something strong to pair with this dish, as the bold flavors can easily overpower more delicate beers. A stout would work nicely, as the roasty, smoky undertones would match the intensity of the meat. If you want something a bit hoppier, try a West Coast IPA or even a Double IPA – just know that the hops will react with any spice in the brisket and make it even hotter!
Shakshuka
A delicious dish of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce, you can’t go wrong with shakshuka. For a perfectly boozy brunch, try pairing this meal with a beer that is low in acidity but high in flavor—this way the acidity of the tomatoes can shine through. Try a brown ale to counteract the spiciness, or a pale ale to up the ante. For something even more exciting that will double down on the flavors of the dish, try a farmhouse ale. The funkiness of this style is wonderful with the tanginess of the tomatoes.
Chocolate Babka
Whoever decided to first mix bread and chocolate is a hero in our book. Chocolate babka is an intricately layered and delicious bakery treat that can take all day to craft. It’s also a natural partner for several types of beer! Your best bet here for a complementary pairing would be a sweeter type of stout, such as a chocolate stout or milk stout. However, don’t stop there! Similar to the jelly donuts, you can make your own fruit and chocolate pairing. Grab a fruity Belgian beer such as a raspberry Lambic and go to town.
Borscht
Finally, we have borscht. This cold stew made from beets is a delicious Jewish dish that can be enjoyed year-round. While many breweries have tried their hand at beet beers, there’s no need to double the beets here. With such a mild flavor, you’ll want to steer clear of more powerful ales and lean toward more delicate lagers. Try a Vienna lager or a roasty dunkel (dark lager) for a refreshing match.
The wide variety of flavors available makes pairing Jewish foods with beer easy. Have a wonderfully Hoppy Hannukah!