Have you ever downed a glass of beer and started to feel...snackish? For those moments when the munchies hit you out of nowhere, we're here to offer you some great solutions: 20 tasty snacks that perfectly complement your cold glass of beer! We're certain these are going to satisfy your cravings.
1. Pretzels
A little bit salty, perfectly crunchy, and fun to eat thanks to their unique twist shape, pretzels are a great snack to have when you've got a beer on hand. It's a classic combo after all, one that many beer lovers opt for. They have just the right amount of saltiness that perfectly enhances the beer's flavour, making each sip taste fresh and bright.
2. Peanuts
Often served at many pubs, roasted peanuts are a delicious and fun snack to enjoy while downing a cold glass of your favourite beer. The nutty saltiness is a perfect complement to many beers, with their natural oils also making the beer slip down your throat even more smoothly.
3. Nachos with Cheese
Nachos are one of the most beloved bar foods to ever exist. And when they're topped with melted cheese, meat, jalapenos, and sour cream? Damn. Now that's a snack you just won't be able to resist. Offering you a bit of spiciness, a bit of saltiness, and a bit of creaminess, it's the perfect companion to your cold beer. As you continue to drink, you'll find it cuts nicely through the heat and greasiness, making each bite and sip even better.
4. Fried Pickles
Tangy, crunchy, greasy goodness, fried pickles are a guilty pleasure that some people indulge in when drinking their favourite beer. Why? Because they go so well together, that's why! With their slight sourness and newly crunchy exterior thanks to being fried, it's a delightful contrast against the bitter smoothness of your beer.
5. Buffalo Wings
Buffalo wings are a classic pub food - how could you go and not order a pound? The spicy kick from the sauce paired with the juiciness of the chicken might just be a match made in heaven for beer, especially lighter ales. The moment you feel your tongue starting to catch on fire, just take a swig of your beer, enhancing both the flavour and soothing the heat in your mouth.
6. Sausage Rolls
Perhaps less common in America compared to the UK, don't doubt the delicious pairing of sausage rolls and beer. With their flaky exteriors wrapped around a warm, savory meat filling, it's a hearty complement to any glass of beer. One bite and you won't get enough!
7. Chips and Salsa
Let's take nachos down a notch to its simpler form - how about a plain bowl of tortilla chips alongside some delicious spicy salsa? This combo is already fantastic on its own, but when you throw in a glass of beer with it, you've suddenly got a trio worth raving about. Easy to grab and eat, it's just the snack you're looking for if you're getting the munchies as you drink.
8. Popcorn
While you might see popcorn as a snack just for the movies, we're here to change your mind and broaden your horizons. Popcorn...as a snack for beer? Just think about it! Light, crunchy, and perfectly salted and buttered, it's the perfect snack to munch on as you drink your beer! Its gentle flavour won't affect the taste of your beer, and it's light enough that you can devour handfuls before you even start feeling full.
9. Fried Calamari
For the classier beer drinkers, why not try pairing your drink with a more refined fried dish: calamari. Crispy and golden on the outside while soft on the inside, squeeze a bit of lemon on top for the final touch. Bringing a little bit of the ocean to your table, it's a surprisingly good pair to any pilsner or wheat beers you drink.
10. Vegetable Chips
If you want to snack but still want something on the healthier side, why not try vegetable chips? Made from sweet potatoes, beets, or even kale, these snacks can offer you a crunchy but still very flavourful bite. Did we mention the earthy flavours go great with beers? You'll just have to try it to understand.
11. Cheese Sticks
Cheese pretty much pairs well with everything right? Well it sure is the case for mozzarella sticks and beer! Coated in crispy breadcrumbs before being deep-fried to golden, crispy perfection, mozzarella sticks are an indulgent treat. Pull them apart to witness that ooey, gooey melted cheese inside, a wonderful partner to the crispness of your cold beer. Nothing like a sip of beer to cut down the greasiness of the cheese!
12. Jalapeño Poppers
For the spice lovers who love the feeling of beer washing away the hot sensation on their tongues, look no further than jalapeño poppers as your go to snack. Filled with cream cheese, and if you're lucky, sometimes wrapped in bacon, these finger foods offer a spicy but creamy bite that works well with the cool, refreshing taste of beer. The creaminess of the cheese really helps soften the beer's bitterness too!
13. Mini Tacos
If regular-sized tacos are a bit too much for a snack, how about mini-sized ones? You still get all the customization options you want, allowing you to get the flavour and taste of a good taco without the commitment of sacrificing a bunch of stomach space. Not to mention, these little things still pack a punch in every bite! They're satisfying and filling, excellently complementing your beer and turning your drinking time into a fun one.
14. Fried Mushrooms
We suppose it's true - deep-frying anything will always make it taste better! Battered and fried mushrooms give you the perfect balance of earthiness, juiciness, and crispiness. It's one of the more unique options on this list, providing you with a savory snack that goes particularly well with ales and stouts.
15. Pork Scratchings
If you're wondering just what in the world are pork scratchings, they're a classic pub snack found more commonly in the UK. They're simply deep-fried pork rinds that have the most satisfying crunch while also giving you a rich, savory flavour. Thanks to their salty taste and fattiness, they taste the best when you've got a beer on hand, washing away all that richness and greasiness with just one sip.
16. Onion Rings
How could we leave out onions rings on this list? A beloved, iconic snack for all times of the day in America, these crispy fried rings are always appreciated. Crispy outside and soft and tender on the inside, a nicely fried onion ring will give you the right amount of crunch that perfectly complements the bubbles in your beer.
17. Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Sweet and salty is a classic pairing that proves once again it never fails. When paired with a cold glass of your favourite beer, it's one flavour combo that can be taken to new heights! That's why bacon-wrapped dates are a surprising side that works so well to complement the more robust flavours of beer. It might not have been your first option, but we say, don't knock it till you try it.
18. Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are not just for kids okay! It's just fried chicken in a different form! When they're served alongside a variety of delicious dipping sauces, that's where the fun comes in. Try pairing the different sauces with a sip of beer, discovering which combinations work best (and which don't work at all). But if there's one thing we know for sure, that crispness of the beer will definitely help cleanse your palate in between each bite.
19. Sweet Potato Fries
Another classic American favourite, sweet potato fries served next to a delicious chipotle aioli and a glass of beer is a winning combination. It's sweet and salty coming out on top again! Compared to regular fries, sweet potato fries just give an extra oomph thanks to their sweet and savory profile, working well to enhance the flavour of your beer too.
20. Bruschetta
Not into fried and greasy snacks? For those of you with a bit of a more refined palate, how does bruschetta sound to you? While you might just think of it as a classy appetizer often served at dinner parties, we're telling you it can actually be a great complement to your beer. Just think about it! With fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic topped on toasted slices of bread, that acidity and crunchiness you'll get with each bite will accentuate the light, crispness of your beer. It's definitely one of the more light and fresh options on this list too.