Beer and Food Pairing: Food Tips with Moersleutel Beers

Beer and Food Pairing for Bold Beer Moments

At Moersleutel, we build beers with power—and that deserves the right partner on your snack board. These beer and food pairing suggestions are designed for the afternoon drink (or as the Dutch charmingly say: “de borrel”): small bites, bold flavors, no fork required.

From crispy snacks to creamy cheeses, we’ve got food tips for every style—with easy-to-find ingredients.

IPA + Spicy or Sweet Bites

IPAs (especially NEIPAs and DIPAs) shine with bold snacks.

The citrusy bitterness of IPAs cuts through spicy snacks and it helps to balances sweetness of the beer. IPA beers cleanse your palate and wake up your taste buds between bites. Fruity NEIPAs also match tropical flavors beautifully.

Pairs well with:

• 🥩 Spicy chicken wings with sriracha mayo

• 🌱 Crispy falafel balls with mango chutney

• 🧀 Chili cheese nachos

• 🥟 Sweet chili spring rolls

Wit & Blond + Fresh and Creamy Snacks

Light and refreshing, these beers pair best with subtle, creamy, or citrus-forward snacks. Great for warm weather and lighter bites.

Serve with:

• 🐟 Toast with smoked salmon & lemon cream

• 🌱 Mini wraps with goat cheese & honey

• 🧀 Brie with apple slices

• 🌱 Hummus & cucumber with dips

Imperial Stout + Rich, Roasty Snacks

Imperial Stouts are deep, dark, and powerful—perfect to pair with rich, roasted, or umami-heavy snacks.
Their bitterness and roasted malt backbone complement fried snacks and bold cheeses. Think deep flavor for deep beer.

Perfect pairings:

• 🥩 Bitterballen with mustard

• 🌱 Mushroom croquettes

• 🍫 85% dark chocolate

• 🧀 Aged cheese cubes (e.g., Old Amsterdam)

Pastry Stout + Sweet Treats

With notes of vanilla, coconut or caramel, Pastry Stouts are your dessert’s best friend—even during the borrel or late-evening sips.
They enhance sweet snacks and contrast salty-sweet combos like stroopwafel + bacon. What’s your preference?

Snackable combos:

• 🥓 Stroopwafel with bacon bits

• 🌱 Mini brownies with sea salt

• 🍪 Bastogne or speculaas cookies

• 🌱 Banana bread slices with chocolate drizzle

Food tip: Use these beers to dip or drizzle over your dessert bites.

Barley Wine + Sweet or Nutty Snacks

Barley Wines bring warmth, caramel, and dried fruit notes. They match perfectly with sticky, sweet, or nutty snacks. The high ABV and soft sweetness make them ideal with intense bites.

Go for:

• 🥩 Glazed meatballs with plum sauce

• 🌱 Roasted almonds with rosemary and honey

• 🧀 Old cheese with fig chutney

• 🌰 Medjool dates stuffed with blue cheese or almond paste

Food tip: Sweet meets sweet—don’t be shy with dried fruits.

Barrel Aged Stout + Earthy or Intense Snacks

Barrel aging adds oak, spice, and spirit warmth to stout. These flavors pair with earthy, funky or strong snacks—like truffle, smoke, or strong cheeses. They transform every bite into a complex experience. Best served slowly, with thoughtful bites.

Serve with:

• 🥩 Truffle salami or pâté on toast

• 🌱 Mushroom pâté or smoked aubergine dip

• 🧀 Blue cheese with honey

• 🌰 Candied pecans or spiced walnuts

• 🥔 Spicy potato chips

Wild Ale + Funky or Fresh Snacks

Wild Ales are tangy, funky, and dry—built for contrast. Their acidity pairs wonderful with fatty snacks or pickled or fermented bites. They also lift fruity snacks into something electric. These are bright, playful beers made for bold combinations.

Top pairings:

• 🐟 Pickled herring with onion

• 🌱 Pickled beet & goat cheese bites

• 🍓 Fresh strawberries with black pepper

• 🧀 Young goat cheese or chèvre with citrus zest

Food tip: Sour loves acid—pair with pickles, citrus or yogurt-based dips.

Bonus: A 5-Course Moersleutel Dinner for the Brave

While our pairings focus on the borrel, here are dinner beer and food pairing tips for those who want to go all out:

1. Starter

   • 🥩 Crostini with steak tartare + Blond

   • 🌱 Grilled peach with goat cheese + Blond

2. Soup

   • 🥩 Spicy Thai chicken coconut soup + NEIPA

   • 🌱 Thai pumpkin soup with chili oil + NEIPA

3. Main

   • 🥩 Slow-cooked beef stew + Imperial Stout

   • 🌱 Mushroom and lentil ragout + Imperial Stout

4. Dessert

   • 🌱 Dark chocolate tart + Pastry Stout

   • 🌱 Vegan brownie with sea salt + Pastry Stout

5. After

   • 🌱 Aged cheese + Barrel Aged Stout

   • 🌱 Truffle cashews + Barrel Aged Stout

Conclusion: Beer and Food Pairing with Punch

Whether it’s a cozy borrel or a 5-course feast, Moersleutel beers pair fantastic with bold snacks.

Use these beer and food pairing tips to turn your next moment into a flavor explosion—whether you’re team meat, team vegetarian or vegan, or somewhere in between.
Cheers!

Want to learn more about craft beer food pairing?

➡️ Smoked Chicken Wings and Craft Beer
➡️ How to Pair Craft Beer with Cheese Like a Pro
➡️ The Best Desserts to Pair with Your Favorite IPA