Beer and Burritos—A Match Made in Heaven

Coming up this weekend, Upslope Brewery marks their 5th birthday! Plan to celebrate at either the original Lee Hill Taproom on Friday, or at the new Flatirons Taproom on Saturday... Or both! Here's our popular beer and burrito pairing post from last season to whet your appetite.

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We had to do it. Our team is sponsored by Evol Foods and Upslope Brewery. We had to concoct delicious beer and burrito pairings. It would almost be criminal to miss this golden opportunity.

Not familiar with beer and food pairings? Don't let the snobby foodies fool you. Beer is far better equipped to pair with food than wine, as it offers a wide spectrum of flavor, ranging from crisp, light pilsners to dark, oily stouts. Plus it has carbonation, which helps cleanse the palate, especially when you're eating heavier foods. Oh, and one more thing: when the Belgians are wading through the muck at Kalmthout or Koksijde's sandy dunes, do you think they're sipping a glass of wine with that greasy pile of frites?

Although Evol has yet to release their spin on that classic Belgian snack (maybe coming soon?), here are a few pairings to get you started on beer and food bliss.

Upslope Craft Lager and Cilantro Lime Chicken Burrito

Cilantro is a light, spicy herb that can be easily overwhelmed by stronger flavors. Likely that's why Evol went with chicken instead of a heavier red meat for this burrito. Similarly, I recommend Upslope's Craft Lager, which has a classic bright flavor that plays off cilantro's zippy freshness and the burrito's limey flavors. This would be an awesome combo for a hot summer day!

Upslope Brown Ale and Shredded Beef Burrito

There are three pairing principles: complement, contrast and cut. Here's another pairing where the flavors complement each other, but additionally, the sweeter notes in this beer help cut the burrito's spicy heat. Dark beers like this brown ale get their color from roasted barley malt, and those roasted flavors go hand in hand with a rich, dark meat like beef. Unlike our previous pairing, this one is perfect for after a cold, muddy 'cross race.

Upslope Belgian Pale Ale and Goat Cheese, Pesto & Portabella Flatbread

Ha! I tricked you. You thought this would be just burritos. Well, Evol has been whipping up awesome non-burrito foods, like flatbreads. Added bonus: this is a vegetarian pairing. The only bummer is that this beer is a seasonal limited release, so you can't always find it. This flatbread has some funky flavors, between the mushrooms' umami and the rich goat cheese. Upslope's BPA has plenty fruity Belgian-style flavors—banana, clove and more—to pair with the funk. Plus, it has a characteristic effervescence and hop balance to cut through the cheese's richness.

Feeling hungry yet? The best way to learn about beer and food pairing is to try it out! It's just like 'cross. Have fun, don't take it too seriously and remember, worst case scenario is that you end up drinking beer with friends!

Ask me if you have any pairing questions! I like beer.

Spencer Powlison
Certified Cicerone®