What to Drink with Corned Beef: 12 Delicious Pairings

Corned beef is a hearty and flavorful cut of meat that is often enjoyed around St. Patrick’s Day. The salty, fatty nature of corned beef can make it tricky to pair with drinks – you’ll want something that can stand up to the strong flavors. Fortunately, there are many excellent options for beverages to serve alongside corned beef. In this article, we’ll explore 12 delicious drinks that pair wonderfully with corned beef.

An Overview of Corned Beef Flavors

Before diving into drink pairings, let’s first examine the distinct flavors of corned beef that we need to complement:

• Salty Corned beef is cured in a brine solution that gives it a pronounced salty flavor This needs a drink that won’t be overwhelmed

• Fatty/Rich The marbling of fat in corned beef results in a rich mouthfeel. A drink with some acidity helps cut through the fattiness.

• Umami: The curing process boosts the umami or savoriness of the beef. Drinks with their own umami flavors complement this nicely.

• Spiced Spices like coriander, mustard, and black pepper are often used in the curing brine. Some warmth and spice in a drink pairs well

1. Stout Beer

What better to pair with an Irish specialty like corned beef than an Irish stout beer like Guinness? The slight bitterness and roasted coffee notes of stout beers stand up to corned beef perfectly. The carbonation also helps cleanse the palate between bites of the salty meat. Dry Irish stouts like Guinness Extra Stout or Murphy’s Irish Stout are ideal pairings.

2. IPA Beer

For beer lovers who prefer hops to roasted grains, a hoppy IPA can also make a great match for corned beef. The bold bitterness balances the saltiness, while citrusy, piney hops offset the meaty richness. West coast style IPAs like Sculpin IPA or Lagunitas IPA work nicely here.

3. Amber or Red Ale

Amber ales and red ales offer an excellent middle ground between stouts and IPAs when it comes to pairing with corned beef. They have enough body and caramel maltiness to stand up to the meat but also decent bitterness and mild hoppiness to balance the flavors. Try pairing corned beef with brands like Fat Tire Amber Ale or Killian’s Irish Red.

4. Dry Hard Cider

The tart apple flavor and effervescence of a crisp hard cider can serve as a palate cleanser with salty corned beef. Dry styles work best – the subtle sweetness takes the edge off the salt while the acidity cuts through the richness. Popular options include Angry Orchard Crisp Apple or Strongbow Dry Cider.

5. Dry Riesling

The high acidity in dry Riesling is a perfect foil for fatty meats like corned beef. The acid cuts through the richness while the fruitiness of Riesling (flavors like green apple, lime, and peach) complements the salty savoriness. German Rieslings like Selbach and Dr. Loosen are ideal.

6. Beaujolais Wine

For red wine lovers, the light and tart Beaujolais is a flexible pairing option. Made from Gamay grapes, these fruity reds have mild tannins, medium body, and high acidity to balance corned beef. Youthful Beaujolais from recent vintages tend to work best. Louis Jadot makes consistently great Beaujolais.

7. Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is another lighter-bodied red wine that can complement corned beef wonderfully. Its flavor profile of tart cherry, raspberry, and earthy mushrooms provides an interesting contrast to the meat. Lean towards cool climate styles from regions like Oregon and Burgundy.

8. Irish Whiskey

Instead of beer or wine, you can opt to pair your corned beef with Irish whiskey. The vanilla and caramel notes of Irish whiskey stand up to corned beef nicely, while a splash of water opens up the flavors. Jameson, Bushmills, Tullamore Dew all make good choices here.

9. Irish Coffee

For an indulgent dessert drink with your corned beef dinner, try mixing up some Irish coffees. The blend of Irish whiskey, coffee, brown sugar, and creamy whipped cream in this cocktail beautifully complements the rich meat. Add a topping of nutmeg or cocoa powder for extra flair.

10. Green Tea

If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic pairing, green tea can be quite pleasant with corned beef. The bitterness and tannins of green tea provide contrast and cut through the saltiness of the meat. Jasmine green tea or genmaicha (green tea with roasted rice) work especially well.

11. Iced Tea

A bracing glass of iced tea can be surprisingly tasty with salty, fatty corned beef. The astringency of black tea balances the rich meat while a sweetener like honey provides a touch of contrast. Try iced Irish breakfast tea or chai iced tea for more spice.

12. Ginger Ale

The bubbly brightness of ginger ale makes it a fine match for corned beef’s heavy flavors. Look for traditional ginger ales that offer some real ginger bite to complement the spices in the meat. Vernor’s, Blenheim, and Fentiman’s all fit the bill. Add a squeeze of lemon for extra zing.

Putting it All Together

As you can see, there is no shortage of drink options to pair beautifully with a plate of corned beef and cabbage.

Dry, hoppy beers, light-bodied red wines, and whiskey cocktails are all solid choices. For non-alcoholic pairings, go for options with some bitterness, acidity, or spiciness to balance the salty richness of the meat.

The most important factor is choosing a drink you genuinely enjoy rather than forcing a pairing. Any beverage is fair game if it complements the flavors of the meal and pleases your palate. So fix yourself a plate of tender corned beef paired with a perfect drink and get ready to enjoy some Irish-American comfort food at its finest!