Beer and food pairings to try next, according to Archipelago Brewery’s master brewer Robert Beck

It’s a frequently asked question, but there are no definitive answers when it comes to beer and food pairing. While it’s subjective, there are general guidelines to follow. 

One such guide is the “3 Cs” – Complement, Contrast, Cut. Complement refers to pairing similar aromas and flavours in both the beer and food, while contrast means having opposing ones so that they balance each other out. Cut refers to bringing down intense or bold flavours with the right beer.

To find out more, we asked Robert Beck, master brewer at Archipelago Brewery – a Singaporean craft brewery owned by Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore (part of The Heineken Company) – to give his take on pairing some of Singapore’s most popular beers and local foods. 

Tiger Beer and Tiger Crystal seem to go well with seafood. Why is it so?

Tiger Beer pairs well with a variety of dishes, especially seafood, due to its style of cooking and serving. Popular Singaporean seafood dishes are generally spicy and packed with flavour, such as chilli or black pepper crab and fish head curry.

The crispness and boldness of Tiger Beer and Tiger Crystal cut through the spiciness and richness of seafood, creating a balanced and enjoyable taste experience. The carbonation from the beers also helps cleanse the palate with each bite.

While the boldness and crispness of the full-bodied Tiger Beer complement seafood dishes that are stronger in flavour, such as chili crab or black pepper crab, the cold and extra-smooth Tiger Crystal complements the delicate flavours of lighter seafood dishes that are rich in fat, like grilled salmon or cod and buttered clams or mussels, without overpowering them. It is also easily adaptable to some citrus flavours if you decide to squeeze that lemon onto your seafood!

How does beer work with strong flavours like curry and black pepper?

We pair intense and flavourful beer with stronger flavours to match their intensity, ensuring that neither overpowers the other.

When we pair food with beer, we don’t just consider the protein or the taste profile of the food. We have to take both factors into consideration to find a beer that complements it well.

Crisp and bold lagers, such as Tiger Beer, go well with strongly flavoured fish curry dishes. However, for heavier flavoured curries like mutton or lamb, it’s better to pair them with Archipelago’s hoppier Summer IPA to match the meat and curry’s flavours.

How does regular lager versus a non-alcholic lager like Heineken pair well with local food?

Similar to Tiger Crystal, Heineken Silver is a smooth, refreshing, and easy-to-drink lager. It complements and cuts through lighter-flavoured foods like sushi. It’s also easily adaptable to other flavours like citrus or fruity flavours, making it a versatile partner for your food!

Heineken 0.0’s sweet malty flavour complements the smoky and sweet-charred flavour of char kway teow. The beer’s carbonation also helps cut through the oily exterior and spiciness of the noodles, resetting your palate for the next dish with your friends.

Can you give some example of food pairings for pilsners like Anchor Smooth and Anchor Strong?

Anchor Smooth pairs great with local delights like prawn paste chicken and soy sauce chicken noodles. The light and smooth beer balances the flavour in these salty dishes.

For rich stews full of different spices like spicy lamb shank or Korean seafood stew, we recommend choosing Anchor Strong. Brewed through a cold filtration process that results in a smooth, crisp, and stronger beer, Anchor Strong helps to cut through the richness of the stew to elevate the overall taste of the meal.

Here’s a guide on the different types of beers, their flavour profiles and suggested food pairings below.

For more about beers under Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore, visit here.