It’s an age old question. Which alcoholic beverage goes best with pizza? The answer is not particularly easy – and a lot of it depends on personal preference, as well as what type of pizza you are cooking in your new wood-fired pizza oven from Sydney Fire Bricks. But here’s some general guidelines to help get you started if you want to enjoy a quiet drink alongside your next delicious home-cooked pizza.
Beer and Pizza
“Beer and pizza” is a well-known and often-used catchphrase in Australia. But there are lots of different types of pizza – and an ever-increasing number of beers on the market. So what types of pairings are best? For a Margarita Pizza or something else that is relatively plain, you’re going to want to have a clean and crisp beer so as not to overwhelm the flavour of the pizza. A crisp Pilsner or a standard Larger works best alongside these types of pizzas. A Larger will also work well with a Pepperoni Pizza, but a better option might be a Pale Ale to wash down the spicy taste of the Pepperoni. Hawaiian Pizza is best served with a Fruity Beer, which will nicely compliment the pineapple and the saltiness of the ham. If you’re going all out with a loaded Meat Lover’s Pizza you’re going to want a beer that’s a bit darker like an Indian Pale Ale (IPA), which is a more bitter ‘hoppy’ style beer that works nicely with the salty taste of the meat. For those enjoying a vegetarian pizza, a Larger is your best bet and will not take away too much from the diverse range of flavours from your vegetable toppings.
Wine and Pizza
Not into beer? Some things are simply made to go together and wine lovers would suggest that pizza and wine are like two peas in a pod. Similarly, to beer, different wines pair nicely with different types of pizzas. For a relatively plain Margherita Pizza, you’re best to stick to a Pinot Grigio or a Rosé, which are light enough to help bring out the pizza’s flavour without overpowering it. Hawaiian Pizza is best paired with a reasonably sweet Riesling, which will not only balance out the saltiness from the ham but also enhance the sweet taste of the pineapple. For Vegetarian Pizza, try a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, which will complement the flavours from the vegetables nicely. For the heavier and meatier pizzas, it’s over to the red wine. Meat Lover’s Pizza is best served with a Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz, creating a rich flavour combination. If you’re having a Pepperoni Pizza, try a medium-bodied and acidic red wine to cut through the saltiness, like a Sangiovese or Merlot. For BBQ Chicken Pizza lovers, try a Pinot Noir, which works tremendously well with the chicken without overpowering it.
So is Beer or Wine best with Pizza?
Everyone is different, so that’s up to you to decide. But we’d suggest you try our recommendations the next time you sit down to enjoy a hard-earned drink and some pizza.