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A Guide to Pairing Canadian Cheese with Beer

Here is our guide to some great cheese and beer pairings.

We’ve all heard of cheese and wine pairings. But did you know that cheese and beer also go very well together? Here is our guide to some great cheese and beer pairings.

Beer types and styles Suggested cheeses
Light beer
  • ricotta cheese
  • brie
  • camembert
  • mild cheddar
  • havarti
Ales
Blonde ale
  • brie
  • mild cheddar
  • aged gouda
Pale ale
  • mild cheddar
  • Swiss cheese
  • aged gouda
Golden ale
  • brie
  • mild cheddar
  • Swiss cheese
  • emmenthal
  • oka
  • creamy blue cheese
Red ale
  • brie
  • mild cheddar
  • aged gouda
  • oka
  • creamy blue cheese
White beer
  • camembert
Dark lager
  • aged provolone
  • havarti
  • sharp cheddar
  • young parmesan
Fruity beer
  • brie
  • creamy blue cheese
  • ricotta
  • bocconcini
Wheat beer
  • cottage cheese
  • ricotta cheese
  • mozzarella
  • provolone
Porter or stout
  • mild cheddar
  • creamy blue cheese
  • parmesan
  • feta

Serving Tips

  • Plan to sample 3 to 4 beers. Start with a light beer, and then move on to a lager or ale. Finish with a dark beer.
  • Accompany your assortment of beers and cheeses with crackers, biscuits or slices of crusty bread. Complement your cheese platter with fresh fruit, such as grapes, wedges of apples or pears, fresh figs, or nuts, dried fruits. You can also include a pâté, deli meats, and pickles. For a detailed list of suggested accompaniments and more serving tips, check our “Hosting a Party” article.
  • After the tasting, wrap any leftover cheeses separately to protect their aromas and flavours. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or waxed paper to keep them fresh for longer. Check these additional tips for storing cheese.

Planning a beer-paired cheese tasting this holiday? The adults can enjoy the beer-paired tasting and if you want to really impress your guests, you could plan a juice-paired cheese tasting for the kids!

Adapted from allyouneedischeese.ca

About BC Dairy

BC Dairy is a not-for-profit organization representing BC’s dairy farmers.