Beer has long played second fiddle to wine as an accoutrement for food, but with an ever increasing influx of premium boutique brewers from both Australia and New Zealand, as well as increased interest in imported brews, there is a heightened interest in craft beer and food collaboration. Here are a few of my picks;

Pilsner Urquell – Czzech
From the home of the Pilsner style, this brew has aromas of freshly baked bread and white flowers, with a slightly sweet and toasty flavour on the palate. It is full and rich, bit with that classic pilsner bitterness. This bitterness works wonderfully with spicey dishes such as Chilli Con Carne.

Lord Nelson Brewery Three Sheets Ale
From Sydney’s oldest hotel, this boutique brew is seriously good. Rich malty aromas combine with citrus hints and even dried herbs. The palate is full and balanced without being too heavy. This balance would work with duck dishes with citrus sauces.

Mac’s Hop Rocker Pilsner
From the land of the long white cloud, this New Zealand brew is, in my opinion, the best from this producer.  There is lots of bitter hop flavours here (thus the name) and this combines with a citrus bitterness that refreshes the palate, making it the perfect partner to rich and spicy dishes such as a lamb Rogan josh.