International Beer and Pizza Day: expert pairing guide for food lovers
Thursday, October 9 is International Beer and Pizza Day, a day that celebrates the food combination of beer and pizza, which are both enjoyed all around the world.
Nick Saulino, a beer lover, pizza connoisseur, and web developer created International Beer and Pizza Day in 2016. His goal was to pay homage to one of the most iconic food and drink combinations on Earth.
In celebration of this special day, we delve into why this combination works so well and offer some pairing ideas so you can be the pizza and drinks expert at your next pizza party.
Why do most people reach for a beer or glass of wine when enjoying a delicious pizza? For some, it may be that their pizza indulgence is steeped in tradition.
Often this tradition is having Friday night pizza to wind down from a hard week of work, and to enjoy the good things in life; cheese and delicious pizza dough.
What else helps people wind down? A glass of red or a fresh brew of course! Combining pizza and your drink of choice is an awesome way to cheer for the weekend.
For others, it comes down to the taste sensation that occurs when pizza and alcohol come together.
Fresh, crisp wine can cut through the creaminess of a cheesy pizza, the same way a dark beer can complement a tomato-heavy pizza by balancing the acidity. Pizza is also a wise choice for a night out as it will soak up some of the alcohol as you drink so you don’t get tipsy too quickly.
Also, almost everyone knows that wine can reduce the risk of heart disease but did you know beer can too? According to health experts, this is because of the antioxidants in the drink, specifically in dark beers.
These antioxidants improve circulation and blood flow. Pizza can also offer health benefits, many from lycopene. This is an antioxidant present in tomatoes. It can reduce the risk of certain cancers, and help reduce the risk of heart disease.
It may seem like you should just eat more tomatoes, but consuming cooked tomatoes (like pizza sauce) can help you absorb the antioxidants more easily.
Experts also reveal that the oil and fats (in small amounts) can also help you absorb the lycopene.
Here are some recommendations for the best drinks to pair with pizza.
Margherita and pale ale
If you are one for simple Margherita pizza, try a pale ale. The ale’s malt flavour will complement the pizza’s toasty crust and balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
The lightness of the beer will also not drown out the subtle flavour of the mozzarella but rather push it to the forefront, allowing the cheese to be the centre of attention, as it should be.
Veggie and IPA
Today's IPAs tend to be very green or veggie-oriented, so what better way to pair them with a garden-inspired pizza? Find an IPA with hops that lean green like oniony or grassy. The vegetable hops will give crispness to the onions and peppers on the pizza.
Buffalo chicken and amber lager
Buffalo chicken is a bold choice and should be met with its equivalent. An amber lager will embrace the hot and spicy with a nice malty finish. Robust with hints of caramel, a lager can hold its own against the sauce and ranch combos.