Beer has always held a special place in Indian parties, bustling bars, and family gatherings. And guarding the beer with all their might are the classic beer companions – chips & peanuts. While these snacks have been loyal to the beer, there are so many other snacks that pair perfectly with beer. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the 10 Indian snacks that pair perfectly with beer beyond just chips and peanuts!
A samosa and lager beer pairing is a pairing that has not gotten its due yet. But that’s about to change now! The crisp, outer shell of the samosa, the golden-yellow spiced potato filling with peas, and the tang of chutney – all work well when paired with a chilled, refreshing lager.
The combination is a reminder that sometimes keeping things simple is the best way to enjoy. The samosa and beer pairing (lager) is simple, comforting, and just so delicious that we know you won’t stop at just one samosa or one bottle of lager!
An onion pakora / bhaji and IPA pairing might seem a bit daunting, but hold on until you know why this combination works. Onion pakoras are a beloved Indian snack, especially during monsoons and chilly winter days. They come hot, crunchy, and carry the nostalgia of simpler times. IPAs on the other hand, enter the room with a bold stance, a citrusy bitterness, and a texture that pairs well with the crunch of the pakoras.
The caramelized sweetness of onions in the pakoras balances the assertive hops in the IPA. The crunch of the deep-fried fritters is balanced by the soft, silky feel of the beer. Doesn’t the onion pakora / bhaji IPA pairing sound simply magical?
No house party is ever complete without someone pulling out a decked up plate of assorted veg and chicken tikkas! They are smoky, juicy, succulent, and contain a burst of spices. These gems of Indian party appetizers deserve a beer that complements but doesn’t overpower, and wheat beer might just be the answer.
Wheat beer enters with its citrus notes, coriander, and a soft, dreamy, cloudy body. All of these characteristics flatter the spicy richness of the chicken tikka. It’s when comfort meets Indian tradition. The chicken tikka & wheat beer combo is a great recommendation for anyone exploring how to pair wheat beer with Indian street food.
Seekh kebabs are the bolder, richer cousins of tikkas. Basically, they are a flavor fiesta on a skewer. They are packed with spices, aroma, and smoke, and to counterbalance it, look no further than a chilled mug of lager.
The seekh kebab and lager beer combination works because the maltiness of the lager mellows down the heat from the kebabs. It lets the smokiness of the kebabs shine while also refreshing your palate in each sip. This combo is great for house parties, barbecue nights, or movie marathons!
If chips and peanuts are the more classy companions of beer, especially at house parties, masala peanuts and roasted chana are the beer’s bolder and quirkier pals. For decades, Indian beer culture has been debating over which of the two is more suitable with beer.
Masala peanuts carry a bold masala punch, which pair with almost any beer style. Roasted chana is equally flavorful, crispy, and crunchy. Both snacks or chakhna are elevated with a generous squeeze of lemon as the spice meets the acidity of the lemon. In this ‘masala peanuts vs roasted chana beer snack’ debate, both are equally enjoyable, so choose what floats your boat!
Chicken tikka might get its due but let’s not forget its greener cousin, the paneer tikka, that has an equally loved fandom. The paneer tikka offers a rich, creamy, and flavorful experience in each bite. When dipped in coriander-mint chutney, the flavors shine even more.
And wheat beer steps in to make things even smoother and refreshing on the palate. It is light, citrusy, somewhat bitter, and mostly enjoyable for a lot of people. If you’re planning a list of the best vegetarian Indian snacks for beer, this one sits comfortably near the top. When are you trying out this combo?
Indian street snacks are known for their combination of flavors in each bite. And if there’s one street snack that perfectly embodies this formula, it has to be aloo tikki chaat. The aloo tikki chaat contains soft, pillowy potatoes, creamy yogurt, crunchy onions, and a lot more.
These sweet, tangy, spicy flavors pair well with the balanced hop bitterness and subtle maltiness of the pale ale. This unexpected pairing shines under any ‘craft beer pairings with Indian appetizers’ guide because the beer keeps you refreshed while the chaat handles your mood swings!
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Beer and seafood is like salt and pepper – always working well in harmony. And what’s one seafood dish that goes the most perfectly with a lighter beer style like a lager or pilsner? That would be a coastal-style fish fry. Think of a fish fry made using traditional Goan, Konkani, or South-Indian techniques and recipes. Usually marinated in red chillies, curry leaves, and lime, the fish fry pairs delightfully with a chilled mug of lager or pilsner.
The fizz from the beer cleanses the palate after a bite of the fatty, spice-heavy fish. And worry not, the fish doesn’t overpower the drink, it only elevates the experience. A fish fry is definitely one of the best Indian snacks that pair perfectly with beer, and you must try it once!
Who says Mumbai’s iconic pav bhaji pairs well only with a Pallonji’s soda or a can of cola? Have you tried it with a witbier? This pairing might surprise you at first glance, but the buttery richness of the pav bhaji secretly flirts with the citrus of the witbier, creating magic you weren’t really expecting.
The light, zesty beer lifts the heaviness from the pav bhaji and adds a comforting contrast to the dish’s spices. It is also a great drink to have chilled, especially when taking bites of pav bhaji that is piping hot, spicy, and oozing extra cheese or butter!
There’s something deeply comforting about downing a plate of your favorite momo, of course with the spicy tomato chutney. Whether you are team ‘fried momo’, ‘pan-fried momo’, or ‘steamed momo’, we can all agree that all they need is a chilled mug of light lager.
The lager keeps things breezy, cleansing the palate in between bites. It mellows down the spice of the momo chutney, especially helpful for those who cannot handle too much spice. The pairing brings out the umami and comfort while calming the heat, perfect as an evening snack, a party appetizer, or just when the winds turn chilly.
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Here we reach the end of the ‘best Indian appetizers to serve with beer’ guide. We’ve noted down some of the best Indian snacks that pair perfectly with beer and explained to you why they pair so well. So the next time you’re pouring yourself a chilled and frothy mug of beer, remember to accompany your drink with a few of these delicious, comforting Indian snacks.
