Tell me what wine you like and I'll tell you what beer to drink

If you close your eyes and imagine a dinner with your favourite food, what drink would go with it? Many people would mention a particular wine, and more and more people are leaning towards a natural wine.

The search for local, real and natural products is no longer a fad, but a reality. In fact, it is this very search that has led many to discover natural wine , due to the variety of flavours and aromas. Just like in wine, there are hundreds of different styles of beer to discover, beyond the typical beer that we usually call “normal beer”.

Flavors and aromas shared between wine and craft beer

“Consumers are looking for sustainable projects that support local raw materials, take care of their image and show the love invested in the project,” says Aleix Puig, from Màger Brew in La Llacuna, Catalonia.

The similarities between the two worlds have led to craft beers participating in wine festivals, such as the Fira de Nous Vinyataires de Catalunya , which brings together and gives visibility to new wine projects. A perfect example of this fusion is Mix Down, a series of beers made by Màger and in which they use four grape varieties from La Llacuna (Alt Penedès). One of the versions uses Parellada and Sauvignon Blanc, and the other, Xarel lo and Garnacha Blanca, from vineyards such as Torrebusqueta and La Creu del Pla, from the Travé family . In their production, they have followed a natural process, with carbonic maceration and the must fermenting with its own grape yeast, to then carry out a final co-fermentation with the beer and the Lachancea thermotolerans yeast.

Sergio Martínez González, co-founder of Meta Edabeak , also sees clear similarities between the two worlds: “We have a lot in common regarding values ​​and minimal intervention. We don’t use external agents. In our case, we use a yeast that we pamper; they have it in the skin of their grapes, which they also pamper a lot,” he says. Meta Edabeak has participated in several wine fairs such as Vella Terra, with its farmhouse beers (ales originally produced on farms in Wallonia, a French-speaking area of ​​Belgium). Its beers range from saison to some with fruit and even vegetables, which gives them different profiles to pair and accompany all kinds of moments.

Beers for wine lovers

If you're already in the mood to try out some options, here are some beers that you're sure to find in specialty stores in many cities:

• 'Lambic': A spontaneously fermented style originating in Belgium. Classic examples include breweries such as Cantillon and 3 Fonteinen . These are complex, acidic beers with great aromatic depth, perfect for those who enjoy wilder, more natural wines.
• 'Flanders Red Ale' and 'Flanders Brown Ale' ('Oud Bruin'): If you prefer barrel-aged reds, these styles from northern Belgium may be your best bet. They have winey, malty notes that are reminiscent, in the case of Flanders Red Ale , of certain aged reds. Some examples are Rodenbach Classic and Liefmans Oud Bruin.
• 'Berliner Weisse': For sparkling wine lovers, this beer is a great alternative. Napoleon's troops are said to have called it “the champagne of the north” for its high carbonation and slight acidity. Elixir Vitae, from Cerveza Espiga, is a local example that you can find all year round.

The best thing about them is that many of them have a lower alcohol content than wine, making them ideal for any time of day. Whether in summer, as an aperitif before lunch or to accompany dinner, they are a perfect option to explore new flavours and discover that the world of beer can be as diverse and exciting as that of wine.

So, if you are a wine lover, don't hesitate to give these beers a try. You might find a new option to accompany your meals.