Most people, however, seem to fall squarely on the “love it” side of this plate of crispy, hot French fries topped with beef gravy and fresh cheese curds. And while a plate of poutine usually comes after a night of drinking, a cold beer also makes a fine accompaniment alongside it, so here are six craft beers to pair with your poutine. Bon appétit!
Dieu du Ciel Péché Mortel
Quebec is the homeland of poutine, and its strong, malty Belgian ales and hearty stouts can get on the same level as the rich, hearty poutine. Dieu du Ciel’s Péché Mortel, an imperial stout brewed with coffee, is a luxurious, creamy indulgence, and at 9.5 percent ABV, it’s a perfect slow sipper in between bites.
Rodenbach Grand Cru
Salty, meet sour: the puckering sour of Belgium’s Rodenbach Grand Cru cuts right through the heavily salted poutine. It’s also a rich, full-bodied sour ale, which means it can hold its own and not get overwhelmed by this pairing.
Jack’s Abby Fire in the Ham
A smoked beer can be a bit of a wildcard and, like poutine, tends to be a love-it-or-hate-it kind of style. Fire in the Ham is a rauchbier from Jack’s Abby, an all-lager brewery in Framingham, Massachusetts, and this smoky lager can add a layer of complexity to the already dense levels of gravy, fries, and cheese.
Port Brewing Mongo DIPA
Mongo, an 8.5 percent ABV double IPA from California’s Port Brewing, is a cult favorite that seems to fly under the radar as far as double IPAs go, but it’s not to be overlooked. A solidly West Coast style, it showcases piney hoppiness upfront followed by citrus and tropical fruit and a nice medium body. The mild bitterness and huge hops play nicely with rich, salty foods.
Orval Trappist Ale
This might be considered cheating. Orval pairs well with such a wide range of food; its complex funkiness, earthy, grassy notes, and dry finish make it a fine complement to many a meal. Plus, poured into a proper chalice with a huge, fluffy head, it also looks quite nice next to a plate or basket full of poutine.
Green Flash Hop Head Red
The Hop Head Red is a perfect mix between two styles that traditionally pair well with salty, rich food: IPAs and red or amber ales. Green Flash’s is one of the best, with sweet caramel malts blending with resiny, dank hops and a bitter finish.
Want to make poutine at home? Check out Chuck Hughes’s recipe for Chuck’s Awesome Poutine (pictured at top) from the Cooking Channel’s show Chuck’s Day Off.