American Amber / Red Ale
American Amber/Red Ales are characterized by moderate to high hop flavor and aroma with a significant malt backbone featuring caramel and toasty notes. These ales originated in the American craft beer movement of the 1980s and 1990s as a more malt-forward alternative to American Pale Ales, using American hops and crystal malts as key ingredients. They typically present with a beautiful amber to deep red color, medium body, and a balanced finish between malt sweetness and hop bitterness.
Perfect Pairings for American Amber / Red Ale
Discover dishes that pair perfectly with American Amber / Red Ale beers
Chili con carne
Chili con carne features hearty beef in a rich, spiced tomato-based sauce with chiles, creating a bold dish with moderate to high heat and deep savory notes. The fruity intensity of Zinfandel or Malbec stands up to the spice while offering complementary dark fruit notes, while medium-bodied beers with caramel notes like Vienna Lager or Brown Ale provide refreshing contrast and help temper the heat.
Empanadas
Empanadas are versatile Latin American pastries that can be filled with various proteins, vegetables, or cheeses, offering a balance of savory pastry exterior with flavorful fillings. The recommended beverages complement the baked, savory qualities while providing enough acidity or carbonation to cut through the richness of the pastry.
Orecchiette with sausage
Orecchiette with sausage is a classic Puglian pasta dish featuring 'little ears' pasta with savory Italian sausage, often incorporating broccoli rabe, garlic, olive oil, and sometimes chili flakes. The richness of the pork sausage combined with the al dente pasta creates a hearty dish that calls for medium-bodied wines and beers with enough structure to complement the savory meat while cleansing the palate.
Pasta alla Norma
Pasta alla Norma is a classic Sicilian dish featuring eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, and ricotta salata, creating a harmonious blend of savory, slightly sweet, and tangy flavors. The recommended wine pairings complement the dish's Mediterranean profile with medium-bodied reds that have enough acidity to cut through the richness while matching the tomato sauce's acidity and the eggplant's earthy character.
Pasta with meat sauce
Pasta with meat sauce (typically ragù or Bolognese) features rich, savory flavors from slow-cooked ground beef and tomatoes that pair beautifully with medium to full-bodied red wines with good acidity. The umami and fat content in the meat sauce is complemented by the bright acidity and cherry notes in Italian reds, while the malt-forward beer styles provide caramel notes that enhance the savory elements while having enough carbonation to cut through the richness.