grilled cheese & beer pairings because why not
your fave childhood meal all grown-up.
Published Dec 15, 2015 5:00 AM
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by Emily Dorward
Grilled cheese sandwiches and beer are natural partners. One has all the nostalgia of a childhood favorite, the other is a pleasure particular to adulthood. The pairing possibilities are seemingly endless and more sophisticated than you might imagine – proof in the curated suggestions below!
Balsamic Blueberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A balanced combination of creamy and crunchy, sweet and sharp, that is sure to awake your taste buds and pairs very well with a fruity cider. Crispin’s Honey Crisp Cider is our go-to.
Spanakopita Grilled Cheese
A less finicky way to savor the flavor of a favorite Greek dish. Ideally served with a cool glass of Paulaner’s Hefeweizen.
Fig and Bacon Grilled Cheese
Fig jam adds considerable depth to this crowd-pleasing combination of perfectly cooked bacon and creamy Comte. (512)’s Double Pecan Porter is an excellent complement to myriad of flavors of the sandwich.
White Truffle Grilled Cheese
Two kinds of mushrooms and two types of cheese interlaced with a trifle of truffle oil makes the perfect partner to the earthy flavors of a Farmhouse Ale. Our pick is Ommegang Brewery’s Hennepin.
Spicy Smashed Avocado Asparagus with Dill and Havarti
The spice of this sandwich melts smoothly into the mellow flavors of avocado, dill, asparagus, and a squeeze of lime. This lighter sandwich is enhanced when paired with a pilsner. Our favorite is out of Brooklyn Brewery.
Grilled Curry Cheese
Beef curry sprinkled with cocoa powder and offset by raspberry jam, then sandwiched between bread and cheese? Sounds like the ultimate guilty pleasure indulgence. Cool your conscience (and your taste buds) by sipping on an India Pale Ale. Our IPA of choice is from Stone Brewing Company.
Grilled Cheese with Fig Preserve, Apple, and Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds, figs, apples, all perfectly toasted – who knew fall could fit between two slices of bread? Keep it seasonal with a swig of Pumpkick, a New Belgium ale.
Red Cabbage Grilled Cheese
Red cabbage may seem an odd inclusion to a grilled cheese, but in reality it is everything you could want – the perfect combination of sweet and sour, and just the right amount of crunch. Peacemaker Extra Pale Ale from Austin Beerworks is just as light and well balanced as the sandwich it complements.
Aged Cheddar Cheese with Pistachio Sage Pesto
Homemade pesto makes an excellent base for aged cheddar cheese, but what makes this the ultimate comfort food is the added dollop of applesauce. Try it with an Amber Ale like Pinstripe Red Ale from Ska Brewing Co.
Pinstripe Red Ale from Ska Brewing Co
Peach Bruschetta Grilled Cheese
Peach bruschetta gets even better with the addition of cheese. And this grilled cheese gets even better paired with a flavorful tripel. We prefer La Fin Du Monde by Canadian-based brewery Unibroue.