Celebrate Independence Day with Craft Beer and Pecans: a Perfect Pairing

As Independence Day approaches, it’s time we gear up for a festive celebration of all things American. One way to honor our values of freedom and craftsmanship is by indulging in locally made craft beer and pecans, the most American nut. These iconic elements of American culture come together to create a tantalizing experience that will delight your taste buds.

You want a snack worthy of the beer and elevates your craft beer experience. A snack that matches the quality and care that goes into making a fine beer.

Pecans offer a satisfying crunch and a rich, nutty flavor that complement a wide range of beer styles. Savory and spicy pecans add complexity and satisfaction. Salt mellows the bitterness of hoppy beers. On the other hand, spice provides contrast to pale ales, and matches the intensity of dark lagers.

We put together this handy guide that explains why beer tastes better when you snack on some pecans at the same time.

Whether you prefer hoppy IPAs, rich stouts, or refreshing lagers, here’s a guide to help you. I’ve started with a short description of each pecan flavor, and then listed several different types of beers that complement or contrast.

Pecans: a Nutty Delicacy

Agave Ginger: Tantalizing ginger snap tamed with a bit of agave sugar. Munch on these pecans with wheat and sour beers, and with stouts.
Bacon Maple: Organic maple sugar wallowing in all-natural pig fat. Stouts, porters, and brown ales complement these pecans.
Butter and Sea Salt: Rich dairy butter and flavorful sea salt. The sea salt makes this savory pecan a perfect pairing for English bitters, as well as with IPAs, amber ales, and barley wines.
Chili Sweet: Sweet orange and brown sugar, Japanese chilies, sesame seed, and seaweed deliver the perfect blend of spice, sweet, and umami. The complexity of this Asian-inspired flavor gives it versatility when pairing with beers. With this pecan, drink pale ales including IPAs, wheat and sour beers, spiced wit biers, pilsners and other pale lagers, as well as bocks and dark lagers.
Maple Pumpkin Spice: Organic maple sugar, our blend of seasonal spices, and absolutely no pumpkin. Our fall and winter seasonal pecan is perfect for heavier beers such as stouts, porters, bocks and dark lagers.
Memphis BBQ: Our blend of 8 spices sweetened with just enough with brown sugar give you a taste of barbecue with the hassle of grilling. This one is equally at home with pale and brown ales, spicy or sour beers, and bocks.
Parmesan Garlic Butter: Everyone’s favorite Italian threesome. Highlight the garlic and parmesan in these savory pecans with IPAs, pilsners, light lagers, hefeweizen and American wheat ales, as well as brown and amber ales.
Rosemary Black Pepper: Garden-grown rosemary, plus freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper, and a hint of honey. Our best-selling flavor is a match for wheat beers and amber ales.
We’re Kickin’ It: Spicier barbecue with smoky bacon, some vinegar, and no added sugar. These intense barbecue-inspired roasted pecans complement bocks, dark lagers, or stouts. They provide a nice contrast to blonde and cream ales, IPAs, and pilsners.

More Pairing Suggestions

Of course, the only pairings that matter are the ones that tickle your tastebuds. To learn about the basic differences between ales and lagers, Beer Advocate has a brief guide. If you’re a novice to craft beers, or if you’re ready to expand your beer palate, The Splendid Table has an article that describes beers by seven different taste attributes.

While you might need to wait until after work to pour a beer, you don’t have to wait to munch on some savory roasted pecans. The other American favorite beverage, coffee, also pairs well with pecans. Here is a brief guide to pairing pecans with coffee.

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