Pairings Beer & Cider Stout & Porter
Beer pairing guide
Stout & Porter pairings: cheese, charcuterie & more
Stout and porter go best with aged cheddar, smoked Gouda, blue cheese and dark chocolate. Roasty, coffee-like malt matches rich, sharp and smoky flavors.
- Body
- Bitterness
- Bubbles
- Sweetness
Serve: 50–55°F
#1Aged CheddarIrish cheddar and Irish stout: sharp against roast.#2Smoked GoudaSmoke and roast in one bite.
#3StiltonCreamy blue and roasty, sweet malt.
Dark, roasty and creamy, with coffee and chocolate notes. Serve it a little warmer than lager so those flavors come through.
The best pairings for Stout & Porter
| Pair it with | Why it works | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Aged CheddarCheese | Irish cheddar and Irish stout: sharp against roast. | What grows together goes together |
| Smoked GoudaCheese | Smoke and roast in one bite. | Match the weight |
| StiltonCheese | Creamy blue and roasty, sweet malt. | Salt loves sweet |
 GorgonzolaCheese | Blue cheese with a chocolatey stout. | Salt loves sweet |
 Aged GoudaCheese | Caramel meets coffee. | Match the weight |
| Country HamCured Meat & Seafood | Salty, smoky ham and sweet malt. | Salt loves sweet |
| Dark ChocolateFinishing Touches | Chocolate notes meet real chocolate. | Match the weight |
| Pretzel CrispsCrackers & Breads | Salt against sweet-roasty malt. | Salt loves sweet |
| Candied PecansNuts & Seeds | Sweet, toasty nuts. | Match the weight |
| Medjool DatesFruit | Sticky caramel with roast. | Match the weight |
| OatcakesCrackers & Breads | Oaty base for an oatmeal stout. | Match the weight |
Skip these with Stout & Porter
- Fresh Chèvre Light, tangy goat cheese tastes sour next to roast.
- Smoked Salmon Delicate fish and heavy malt clash.
- Fresh Mozzarella Disappears completely.
Budget swap
Dry Irish stout is light and roasty; milk and oatmeal stouts are sweeter and richer for dessert boards.
Cheeses on this page: Aged Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, Stilton, Gorgonzola, Aged Gouda.
Boards to pour Stout & Porter with
Why these work
- 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.
- 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: Port · Merlot · Malbec · Cabernet Sauvignon
Planning Christmas & Holiday Parties? See the full board plan.
Planning Halloween? See the full board plan.
Stout & Porter pairing questions
What cheese goes with stout?
Aged cheddar, smoked Gouda and blue cheeses.
Does stout go with chocolate?
Yes. Stout's roasted malt tastes like coffee and cocoa, so dark chocolate is a natural match.
What's the best St. Patrick's Day pairing?
Irish cheddar and dry Irish stout.
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