The Best Beer Pairings for Your Favourite Fast Food Orders
While pairing beer with gourmet meals is a common thing in the beer industry, beer and fast food pairings aren’t as popular. Continue reading to find out how to pair a beer with your favourite fast food classics, like McDonald’s, Wendy’s and A&W.
By The Beer Community on Aug. 31, 2021
Fast food is often overlooked when thinking about food and beer pairings. If you’re wanting to bring your take-out home with you to pair with something you’ve got in the fridge, here’s a guide to help you out.
How to Pair Beer With Your Favourite McDonald’s Meal
McDonald’s Big Mac & Beer Pairing:
The Big Mac is McDonald’s most famous burger.
Nothing compares to two 100% Canadian beef patties, special sauce, crisp lettuce, processed cheddar cheese, pickles and onions on a toasted sesame seed bun.
Next time you’re wanting to pair your Big Mac with a beer, go for a Dark Lager. Dark Lagers are made with roasted malts and often have caramel flavours to help sweeten the beer. The roasted malts in Dark Lagers can provide nutty flavours. A Dark Lager is what is going to cut through the fatty flavours in a Big Mac and balance them out nicely.
JustBeer’s Favourite Dark Lagers:
Honey Brown Lager – Big Rock Brewery
Hermann’s Dark Lager – Vancouver Island Brewery
Pair Beer with a McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish:
McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish is pure temptation. How can you say no to Alaskan Pollock fish fillet on a lightly steamed bun, topped with processed cheddar cheese and tangy tartar sauce?
When pairing your light Filet-O-Fish, you’re going to want to stay away from heavy, dark beers, such as Stouts and Porters. Light Wheat Ales will compliment your Filet-O-Fish perfectly.
Filet-O-Fish Beer Pairings to Try:
SunSetter – Stanley Park Brewing
The Plainsbreaker – Banded Peak Brewing Company
Beer & McDonald’s Chicken McNugget Pairing:
With no artificial flavours, colours, preservatives, and made with 100% seasoned chicken breast, the McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets you crave constantly are simply delicious, and a good course of protein.
What shall you drink with your box full of ‘nugs? Try a Belgian IPA to spice up your simple meal. The Belgian yeast in your beer will “pep” up your order. Bright hops and slight spice in your beer with pair perfectly with your deep friend McNuggets.
Must-Try Belgian India Pale Ales:
Petit Détour – Brasserie Dieu du Ciel
Continental Drift – Nickel Brook Brewing Company
How To Pair A&W Meals With Beer
Pair Beer With Mama Burger:
This perfectly seasoned pure beef patty is topped with pickles, onions, ketchup mustard, and A&W’s signature Teen sauce.
A classic burger like a Mama Burger is going to go great with a beer with an acidic flavour, like a Saison. Saisons work well with toppings such as pickles, onions, and mustards.
Saisons You Should Try:
Blonde de Chambly – Unibroue
Rhubarb Saison – Wellington Brewery
Mozza Burger & Beer Pairing:
With real mozzarella cheese, mouth-watering bacon, and special Mozza sauce, the Mozza Burger is an A&W classic and you can’t go wrong.
When pairing a beer with your Mozza Burger, try a Bavarian wheat beer, like a Hefeweizen.
Mozza Burger Beer Pairings to Try:
Cloud Break HopfenWeizen – Apex Predator Brewing
Hey Day Hefeweizen – Granville Island Brewing
Chubby Chicken a.k.a. Fried Chicken & Beer Pairing:
A&W is known for its Chubby Chicken meal. These pieces of fried chicken are battered and breaded to perfection and give off a tangy kick. There are a lot of beer styles that can pair great with fried chicken, and sometimes your options can be overwhelming.
If you’re looking for the perfect brew to sip on while your digging into some Chubby Chicken, try going with a malt-forward but balanced brew like an Oktoberfest. If you’re wanting to step out of the box more, try picking out a carbonated Sour Ale. The effervescence and brightness of a Sour Ale with balance out the greasy flavours of a piece of fried chicken.
Must Try Fried Chicken & Beer Pairings:
Oktoberfest – Mill Street Brewery
Lustrum Cassis Style – Driftwood Brewery
Trying to figure out what beer style you love most?
Check out this guide to learn how to pick a beer based on flavours you know you already like.
How To Pair Wendy’s With Beer
Beer & Fast Food Salad Pairing:
Similar to lots of other fast food joints, Wendy’s has a nice selection of salads. Sometimes you’re just not in the mood for a big greasy burger, and a salad can be a great option — especially when you’re pairing it with a beer. Going with a Garden Side Salad? Pair it with a nice Light Lager. Try pairing a Brown or Amber Ale with Wendy’s Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad. The nut and caramel flavours with go great with the creamy avocado flavours.
Go-to Salad Beer Pairings:
Light – Ace Hill Beer
Boréale Rousse – Brasseurs du Nord
Baconator / Bacon Cheddar Burger & Beer Pairing:
“Here’s to the carnivores.”
If you’re the farthest thing from a veggie-lover then a Wendy’s Baconator is probably your go-to fast food order. A burger this juicy, greasy and fatty needs a bold beer to pair with it. Try an American IPA to help you conquer this best of a cheeseburger.
IPAs You Need To Try:
IPA – Wild Rose Brewery
Last Cast Summer IPA – Fernie Brewing Company
Pair Taco Bell with Beer
Beer & Taco Pairings:
Whether you order chicken on a soft taco or beef on a crunchy taco, a Vienna Lager is the perfect pairing. Vienna Lagers won’t overpower the fillings of your taco, whether you chose spicy or mild. With more bold flavours than a Light Lager, a Vienna can balance out spicy seasonings and can pair up with the creamy richness of your add-on guac.
Vienna Lagers Taco Pairings:
Easy Calgary Lager – Cold Garden Beverage Company
Fat Cat Lager – Fat Cat Beer Company
Pair Beer with a Burrito:
Taco Bell is known for its various types of burritos. You might not think a burrito is something you’d want to pair a beer with, but beer and burrito pairings are real, and frankly, we’re excited about it.
When ordering a classic bean, cheese and rice burrito, try a hoppy Pale Ale to cut through all that richness. If you’re all about a cheesy chicken and rice burrito, pair it up with a tangy IPA. More of a beef person? Balance out any fatty flavours with a nice ESB.
Burrito Beer Pairings We Love:
PSA Summer Ale – Airways Brewing
Autumn Experimental Ale – Goose Island Beer Co.
Wanna know the best beer to pair with a poutine?
Click here for the best beer and french fry pairings.
Looking for more great beer and food pairings? Check out these great links:
How To Pair Chocolate and Beer
Pair Beer with Your Favourite Mardi Gras Meals
Beer Pairings for Hanukkah
Craft Beer and BBQ Pairings