The sandwich is the perfect food to pair with beer and vice versa. A sandwich is only as good as the bread it’s made with, and that bread is made from some of the same ingredients as the beer itself: grain, water, and yeast. As a result, beer naturally complements any sandwich. With many beers in our lineup, Columbia Distributing is a respected beverage distributor in Oregon, Washington, and California. Here, we discuss some of the best beers to pair with your favorite sandwiches, all of which can be found in our inventory.
Pilsner and Cubano
An authentic Cubano comes with Cuban seasoned pork shoulder, ham, pickles, Swiss cheese, and mustard on Cuban-style bread. The bread is the real secret to this sandwich as it’s traditionally made with lard, which adds richness to the sandwich. The two main meat elements are accented nicely by the brininess of the pickles and a healthy amount of the sharp yellow mustard. The sandwich is then pressed to melt the Swiss cheese and to add a nice crunchy texture to the bread. A great choice to pair with a Cubano is a nice crisp pilsner, as this style is refreshing and palate-cleansing and won’t compete too much with the flavors of the sandwich.
Pale Ale and Philly Cheesesteak
The soft, chewy bread of a Philly cheesesteak is filled with grilled rib-eye beef, either sliced or chopped, depending on who you ask. The sandwich is classically finished off with onions and cheese. Although flavorful, a cheesesteak has a mild taste that pairs perfectly with a pale ale. The slight hoppiness stands up to the onions and hearty meat, and the cleaner finish is refreshing after the salty beef and cheese. It’s satisfying but not overpowering, just like the sandwich.
Stout and Reuben
The Reuben sandwich is a classic and traditionally comes with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye bread. This sandwich is at its best when the corned beef is sliced nice and thick and the flavor is deep. The sauerkraut’s acidity offsets the saltiness of the corned beef, and the Russian dressing adds a nice zesty flavor. The gruyere is subtle and brings nice salt content to the sandwich. All this sits between two thick, soft, and moist slices of rye bread, which is just spectacular. A dry stout marries wonderfully with the salty corned beef and sauerkraut, while its crisp and refreshing flavors balance some of the fattiness from the meat.
Summer Ale and Lobster Roll
With ultra succulent, fresh lobster filling a New England-style hot dog bun, the lobster roll is always a summertime favorite. What better way to enjoy a seasonal sandwich than with a seasonal brew? A summer or blonde ale is a good match since it ensures the delicate seafood is still the star since the beer has a light, malty taste and a very mild fruitiness.
Great Beer and Sandwich Pairing Options
Next time you’re enjoying one of your favorite sandwiches, try pairing it with one of these beer options to take it to the next level. To learn more about our great beer selection and how to find a retailer in the region near you in the Pacific Northwest, contact Columbia Distributing.