Normally we wait until it's 5:00 (somewhere!) to crack open a beer, but the occasional beer to accompany a relaxing midday meal can sometimes feel just right. In these cases, we like to stay on the lighter end of things. Lighter in alcohol, that is - definitely not lighter in flavor!
For our purposes, a "lighter" alcohol beer is one with 5% alcohol by volume or less. We find that this is enough that our bodies relax, but we don't feel tipsy or drunk at the end of the meal. It also depends on what we're eating. If we're having a heavy pasta dish, we can drink something a little higher. If we're having a light salad, we stay on the lower end.
Here are some of our favorites beers with lunch:
• Sam Adams Boston Lager (4.9% ABV) - This is just a solid, well-balanced amber ale. We find it refreshing and enjoyable to drink.
• Wyder's Dry Pear Cider (4.5% ABV) - Crisp and light with a nice boost of effervescence. Great with salads and roast chicken dishes.
• New Belgium Brewing Blue Paddle Pilsner (4.8% ABV) - Subtly sweet with toasted grain flavors and a spritz of lemon. (We also like their Fat Tire Ale, but it jumps up to 5.2% ABV)
• Victory Lager (4.8% ABV) - Nicely malty with a good dose of spicy and citrus hops.
• Left Hand Brewing Sawtooth Ale (4.5% ABV) - Awesome beer for sitting on the patio. Great balance of nutty caramel malts and herbal-floral hops.
What are some of your favorite lower-alcohol beers to sip with lunch?
Related: Beer Guide: Favorite Beers for Summer
(Image: Flickr member avlxyz licensed under Creative Commons)
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A higher alcohol beer really clashes with my two martini lunch.
beer before liquor...
A couple more delicious session beers (or low ABV beers great with Lunch)
Guinness - 4.1%ABV (and it has only one more calorie/oz than Miller Lite) - It's a classic, and delicious
Victory's Donnybrook Dry Irish Stout - 3.7%ABV - Similar to a Guinness, but smoother in flavor but it's rare to find it with the cascading nitrogen pour meaning it will be less velvety in texture.
Stone's Levitation - 4.4% ABV - For the hop heads. A truly flavorful session beer with a good hop bite.
Hitachino Nest White Ale - 5%ABV - A little spicier than some Belgian white styles, but a great lunch pairing.
Brasserie Dupont's Avril - 3.5%ABV - Made as a Bier de Table, so it can be enjoyed with friends over lunch, this beer is a lighter Saison style that goes amazingly with food. Find some friends, though because it is only available in 750ml Bottles (wine bottle size).
And don't forget the lambics!
It all makes for happier lunches, right?
My all time favorite is St. Arnold's Lawnmower brew.
I've never seen the New Belgium mentioned above-does anyone know if its one of their seasonal offerings or is this in their regular mix? Thanks.
• Sam Adams Boston Lager (4.9% ABV) - This is just a solid, well-balanced amber ale. We find it refreshing and enjoyable to drink.
Uhhh, guys? Do you know anything about beer? You just described a 'lager' as an 'ale'.
Totally different brews, dudes. *bops on nose* Do not insult the lager by calling it a mere ale!
@french75: I'm loving that Stone Levitation!!!!
Hitachino Nest FTW!!
my fav ^.^
My two new go to beers are Stone-Levitation (we just got Stone in Chicago a few weeks ago) and Two Brothers-Long Haul. Both are great session brews for lunch or tailgating.