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In the September/October issue of Imbibe, the editors selected their 99 favorite beers in different categories, such as seasonals or beers to drink with a burger. In “Imbibe Vs. Beerspotter,” Y&H’s Beerspotter takes each list to task.
The editors of Imbibe write that their ideal burger beers “complement, rather than overwhelm” the flavors of their burger. I suppose that’s fine if you’re writing from Portland, Ore. — the dry, hoppy Victory Prima Pils does cut through unctuous beef fat like, um, a knife through unctuous beef fat. But in D.C., where our chain burgers are Five Guys and our boutique patties are presidential, we want our beers to punch their weight.
I want my burger juicy in the middle and charred on the outside, and I want a Stone Smoked Porter to go with it. Its bittersweet chocolate flavors give it a hefty body, while a dose of smoked malt puts grill marks on your pint glass. Nonsmokers should try Duck Rabbit Schwarzbier, a black lager that swaps the smoke for chewier flavors in the form of toasted coffee. Samuel Adams Black Lager would do in a pinch, too.
What do you drink with your burger? Tweet up @Beerspotter!
Imbibe picks:
- Anderson Valley Poleeko Gold Pale Ale
- Bear Republic Racer 5
- Deschutes Mirror Pond
- Firestone Walker Pale 31
- Full Sail Session
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
- Trumer Pils
- Uerige Obergärige
- Widmer Drifter
- Victory Prima Pils