Our Favorite Food and Beer Pairings

Pairing food and beer can be tricky, but don’t worry we did the work for you. Check out some of our favorite beer and food pairings throughout Concord!

E.J. Phair Brewing Company

Food Item: Jaegerschnitzel- Bread Pork Loin, pan fried and topped with a creamy mushroom and sour cream demi-glaze. Served with Spaetzle and red cabbage.

Beer Pairing: Shorty’s Revenge- a strong amber ale with a huge malt body and caramel notes with a noble hop character

Food Item: Fish and Chips- Alaskan cod in a homemade beer batter, served on a bed of crispy chips (fries) and a side of pepper slaw and tartar sauce.

Beer Pairing: Ditzy Blonde Ale- a light and crispy beer with similar flavors to a lager

Eureka!

With a tap list that constantly changed it can be hard to find the perfect beer for your meal. Look for these key styles to complement your delicious bites.

Food Item: Jalapeno Egg Burger- fries egg, cheddar, bacon, chipotle sauce and pickled jalapenos

Beer Pairings: Pilsners and lagers will cool the heat, while hoppy IPAs pair well with spicy flavors to complement the heat.

Food Item: Chicken Tacos- chipotle sauce, firecracker, cabbage, radish, crema, sliced jalapeños, cilantro with chips and salsa

Beer Pairings: American Pale Ales pair perfectly with tortillas as they have a malty backbone. The hop bitterness with also complement the spiciness of the jalapenos, chipotle sauce and firecracker!

Canasta Kitchen

Canasta Kitchen has a small tap list but features local brewery Epidemic Ales.

Food Item: Flautas- rolled flour tortilla filled with poblano chicken and melted Oaxaca/jack cheese, then fried to perfection and topped with chipotle sauce, shredded lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo and cotija cheese

Beer Pairing: Lager at World’s End- It pairs well with crispy or braised meats, fried tortillas or fish, and tomato-based sauces and salsas. It's bold enough to keep some of the flavor of big and rich dishes, but light enough that it won’t overrun more delicate items.

Concord Tap House

With 24 rotating taps, Concord Tap House will always have different beer. Not to worry, the style is all the matters.

Food Item: Catfish Sliders- flash-fried, battered on flame-toasted buns, pepper jack, greens and a pickle. Comes with a side of fries

Beer Pairing: Try a cream ale. They are nicely balanced between malt sweetness and just enough bitterness.

Hop Grenade Tap Room and Bottleshop

Hop Grenade also features a huge rotating tap list!

Food Item: THG Reubenesque- corned beef* on a ciabatta w/horseradish cheddar cheese, sauerkraut and specialty beer mustard

Beer Pairing: Something with a light body that won’t interrupt for the strong flavors of the sauerkraut or corned beef. Something like a Whitbeir or Lager will do the trick!

Midici Pizza

Pizza and beer…the perfect combo! Midici has both local and guest taps to choose from the pair perfectly with your slice!

Food Item: The Margherita- house made tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese an fresh basil

Beer Pairing: Try a hoppy Pale Ale. The light malt bill won’t get in the way, and the bitterness of the hops will balance the sweetness of the tomato sauce, accentuate the saltiness of the cheese, and help to cleanse the palate between slices.

LOOKING FOR MORE REGIONAL FUN? 

Check out the Contra Costa County Beer Map - your guide to breweries and tap houses around the region.  

For the printable PDF click here.