What Cigars Pair Best with Different Beers? Cigars and beer might seem like an odd mix since many of us are more familiar with a more traditional pairing of cigars and whiskey.
Unlike in the past, when beer was mostly blended from grains, today, it’s crafted with a myriad of different hops, fruits, and adjuncts to suit the taste and flavor preferences of the users. Craft beer brands are now available in a range of aromas, flavors, and tastes. This resurgence in the beer brewing industry has seen a tremendous increase in the number of consumers.
Cigar smokers have embraced the unique smoothness of dark beers and are often opting for a great craft brew instead of bourbon. As a result, you can find the perfect beer to go with your cigar rolls just as long as you know the way around pairing them.
If you are a first-time cigar/beer consumer, then it might take you a while to master the sensory art behind pairing the two. What you find tasteful might not be appealing to others.
Pick your specially handcrafted strong cigar and follow the pairing guide below to crack a cold one along with it!
Why cigars and beer pairing are a good combination.
With the array of beer aromas, flavors, and tastes in the market, you’ll never go short of amazing drinks to enjoy. To enhance the beer’s taste, users combine it with a cigar. This is a trending habit as people seek creative ways to have fun.
Beer and premium cigars are crafted to meet the highest level of standards as users are demanding excellent quality. The principles behind the two products are also relatable as the brewers and cigar makers try to manipulate each ingredient for the most flavorful result.
Since happy flavors beer is carbonated, its taste will cleanse your palate while keeping you hydrated as you enjoy that cigar. Getting the combination right will allow you to feel the aroma of the cigar as well as the soothing taste of beer.
How to pair cigar and beer
Cigar and beer are extraordinarily crafted to keep the user captivated by the flavor and taste. As such, if you want to enjoy the two together, you have to get the combination right. Check the strength of the beer versus the concentration of the cigar to determine whether they make a good match.
If you choose a mild cigar, then blend it with a mild beverage for a smooth taste. If the cigar is full-bodied and the beer you intend to blend with is mild, then the spicy cigar-taste will be overwhelming. So, focus on the color of the beer and cigar wrap as a guide of how strong it is.
If the cigar wrap is brown and the aged beer light, then they’re both of a mild flavor, aroma, and taste. On the other hand, a dark-colored cigar wrapper means the brand is spicy, with a concentrated flavor. Such a brand is better paired with a darker beer whose strength (taste-wise) is also bold.
Mild cigar – light lager
A lager beer such as a pilsner is light since its color, strength, and flavor are mild. Being one of the lighter beers you will find in the store, blend it with a mild cigar that has a light brown wrapper for perfect pairing. I prefer a Connecticut wrapper like in the Macanudo Hyde Park, or the Montecristo Classic.
For a beginner, ensure the shade of the cigar wrapper matches the shade of the beer for your favorite pairings. The light beer flavor will also go well with a floral-flavored cigar as they complement each other. You’ll enjoy the mellowness of this blend!
Medium cigar – An IPA
Every cigar fanatic knows that the medium-bodied cigars also come with medium strength and complex palette. For a beer-soothing effect and flavor spectrum, opt for a medium flavored beer like an IPA because it has a floral and fruity taste.
The floral/fruity taste of the beer will uniquely complement the spicy taste of the cigar, therefore, making a good combination.
IPAs are classified as ale and often come with a citrus flavor that gives them a subtle taste. As such, pair them with a cigar that has a sweetened wrapper whose flavor will mask the beer’s taste.
Medium-bodied cigars also have a milder flavor as a little more smoke gets through. The larger the Cuban cigar roll, the less smoky it is, and the smaller the roll, the more the smoke emitted. The hoppy ale will overpower this taste, flavor, and aroma for a good feeling.
Full-bodied cigar – Stout
Stout is the term used to describe the darker beers that are conventionally stronger in taste buds, aroma, and flavor. With the milder taste, you need a similarly milder cigar to match the taste.
Go for the full-bodied cigars because they feature multifaceted flavors that can be overcome by the creamy stout. The two will manipulate each other’s flavors to achieve a flawless blend full tastes and aromas. This will leave your palate refreshed for the next sip!
Porter also goes perfectly with full-bodied cigars because they all have a savory leather flavor with dark chocolate shades.
Malt – Hops
Beer is made of malted barley, yeast hops as well as water. How these ingredients are blended and in what proportions will determine how tasty or aromatic the final product is. Malt beer is sweeter because it has high quantities of maltose. This type of beer is creamy, so you’ll have a fuller mouth with every sip. A mild-flavored cigar will pair well with malt beer thanks to their complementary strength, aroma, and flavor.
If the style of beer has a larger quantity of hops, then it’ll have a crispy taste that is a little on the bitter side. Depending on how hoppy the beer is, you should pair it with a medium to full-bodied cigar. These cigars have a stronger aroma that will ultimately balance the bitter beer flavor.
It’s Time to Pair that Cigar and Beer
Finding the best beer combination for your favorite cigar pairing might take a while since different people have varying tastes and preferences. However, the general rule is; to pair mild beers with mild cigars and stronger beers with stronger cigars.
You might pair several combinations before determining what blend best identifies with your taste of aroma and flavor.
So, what beer goes best with the stick you’re smoking? What are some of your favorite blends?