Lager & Pilsner pairings: cheese, charcuterie & more

The best pairings for Lager & Pilsner

Pair it with	Why it works	Rule
HavartiCheese	Mild and buttery with a clean, crisp beer.	Contrast the texture
EmmentalCheese	Swiss cheese with a German-style lager.	What grows together goes together
GruyèreCheese	Nutty Alpine cheese and a bready pilsner.	What grows together goes together
MuensterCheese	Mild, soft and a little tangy.	Match the weight
LandjägerCured Meat & Seafood	Smoked German sausage with German beer.	What grows together goes together
Black Forest HamCured Meat & Seafood	Smoky ham and crisp bubbles.	Contrast the texture
KielbasaCured Meat & Seafood	Garlicky sausage and a cold lager.	Fat tames tannin
Whole Grain MustardSpreads, Jams & Honey	Mustard's bite, rinsed by carbonation.	Acid cuts richness
Pretzel CrispsCrackers & Breads	Beer hall classic.	What grows together goes together
Dill PicklesPickles, Olives & Briny	Salt, sour and crisp.	Acid cuts richness
Honey Roasted PeanutsNuts & Seeds	Bar-snack sweet and salty.	Salt loves sweet

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Boards to pour Lager & Pilsner with

• Swiss Alpine Charcuterie Board
• German Bavarian Charcuterie Board
• Office Party Charcuterie Board

Why these work

• Contrast the texture Crisp against creamy and chewy against crunchy keeps every bite interesting; bubbles do the same job in a glass.
• What grows together goes together Foods and drinks from the same region grew up on the same tables, so Manchego and Rioja or Parmigiano and Lambrusco rarely miss.
• Match the weight Light with light, bold with bold. A delicate cheese disappears next to a heavy red; a pungent one flattens a crisp white.
• Fat tames tannin Tannin grips your tongue; fat and protein give it something softer to grab, so a firm red tastes smoother next to aged cheese or salami.
• Acid cuts richness Bright acid in wine, fruit or pickles rinses butterfat off your palate, so the next bite of a creamy cheese tastes as good as the first.
• Salt loves sweet Salt makes sweetness taste rounder and sweetness makes salt taste less harsh, which is why ham and melon or blue cheese and honey work.

Similar bottles: Chardonnay · Riesling · Merlot · Wheat Beer

Lager & Pilsner pairing questions