Learn how to pair a variety of non-alcoholic styles with everything from barbecue to dessert.

Non-alcoholic beer can be paired with food using the same principles that make traditional beer pairings work: complementing flavors, creating contrast and refreshing your palate between bites.

The absence of alcohol doesn’t mean the absence of malt, hops, acidity, bitterness, aroma or body. Those characteristics still give each style its own relationship with food.

You also don’t need to memorize complicated rules. Start with the style’s most noticeable qualities and go from there.

 

Three basic pairing principles

 

 

Complement

 

Match similar flavors.

 

A roasted dark style like All Out can complement charred meat or chocolate. A citrus-forward Radler like Ripe Pursuit can echo lemon, herbs or fruit in a dish.

 

Contrast

 

Use the beer to balance the food.

 

A crisp light beer can cut through a rich burger. A hop-forward IPA can provide contrast against creamy cheese or sweet barbecue sauce.

 

Cleanse

 

Carbonation and bitterness can refresh your palate between bites, making non-alcoholic beer particularly useful with salty, fatty or spicy food.

 

IPA food pairings

 

IPAs are aromatic, hop-forward and moderately to assertively bitter.

 

Try them with:

• Spicy tacos
• Buffalo cauliflower or wings
• Burgers
• Sharp cheddar
• Curry
• Barbecue
• Fried chicken

 

The hop character can stand up to bold seasoning, while bitterness and carbonation help balance richness.

 

A juicy hazy IPA such as Free Wave is especially good with tropical salsa, spicy food and dishes with creamy sauces.

 

Golden-style food pairings

 

Golden styles tend to be balanced and approachable, making them some of the most versatile beers at the table.

Try them with:

• Sandwiches
• Grilled chicken
• Pizza
• Salads
• Seafood
• Mild cheeses
• Roasted vegetables

 

Upside Dawn is an easy match for foods that might be overwhelmed by a very bitter or dark beer.

 

Light-style food pairings

 

A light-bodied brew shines with salty, fresh and casual foods.

 

Try it with:

• Fish tacos
• Chips and guacamole
• Grilled vegetables
• Hot dogs
• Sushi
• Popcorn
• Fresh salads

 

A citrus-accented option such as Athletic Lite Lime & Salt is a natural fit for tacos, ceviche-inspired dishes and anything served with a wedge of lime.

 

Dark style food pairings

 

Dark brews commonly feature roasted, toasted, coffee-like or chocolate-like flavors.

 

Try them with:

• Grilled steak
• Mushroom dishes
• Chili
• Aged cheeses
• Chocolate cake
• Brownies

 

Pairing a dark beer with dessert works best when the style is at least as flavorful as the food. Otherwise, the dessert may overwhelm it. All Out will do the trick. 

 

Sour and fruit-forward pairings

 

Tart brews and fruit-forward styles bring acidity into the pairing.

 

Try them with:

• Goat cheese
• Fresh fruit
• Salads with vinaigrette
• Rich cheeses
• Grilled pork
• Cheesecake
• Light desserts

 

Acidity can cut through rich foods, while fruit flavors can complement both savory and sweet dishes.

 

Radler food pairings

 

A Radler combines a smooth wheat flavor with bright citrus refreshment.

 

Try it with:

• Grilled seafood
• Bratwurst
• Picnic sandwiches
• Summer salads
• Lemon chicken
• Fresh fruit
• Light pastries

 

The citrus character of Ripe Pursuit Lemon Radler makes it particularly well suited to warm-weather meals and outdoor gatherings.

 

Cocktail-inspired sparkling beverage pairings

 

Non-alcoholic beer is not the only choice at the table.

 

Grapefruit-forward drinks pair well with tacos, grilled fish and spicy dishes. Ginger-and-citrus beverages work with sushi, dumplings and aromatic cuisines.

 

Their bubbles and acidity can play the same palate-cleansing role while introducing a different flavor profile. Our Cocktail-inspired brews work for this.

 

Build a non-alcoholic beer-pairing flight

 

For a dinner party, serve three small pours alongside different courses:

 

1. A golden ale with appetizers

2. An IPA with the main course

3. A dark or fruit-forward beer with dessert

 

The best match is not the one a rulebook tells you to enjoy. It is the one that makes both the food and the brew taste better to you.

 

 

FAQs

 

 

Does non-alcoholic beer pair with food like regular beer?

 

Yes. Malt, hops, carbonation, acidity and other flavor characteristics remain useful for complementing or contrasting with food.

 

What food goes best with non-alcoholic IPA?

 

Spicy dishes, burgers, barbecue, sharp cheese, curry and fried foods work especially well with hop-forward IPAs.

 

What non-alcoholic beer goes with pizza?

 

Goldens are versatile with many pizza styles. IPAs work particularly well with spicy toppings or rich, meaty pizzas.

 

What non-alcoholic beer goes with dessert?

 

Dark brews pair well with chocolate and roasted flavors. Fruit-forward sours can complement cheesecake, berries and lighter desserts.