When Belgian brewing tradition meets culinary excellence, flavours take on a whole new dimension. Long considered merely a social beverage, beer is now a popular choice at the dining table. It’s an art that we have cultivated, passionately and skilfully, for decades here at the St-Feuillien brewery. The result? Bold, well-balanced and resolutely indulgent combinations. Ready to give your taste buds a treat? Join us and experience this perfect pairing of local dishes and characterful beers.
It’s all about taste… and daring
St-Feuillien has always been known for its love of a good product. As long ago as 1960, the brewery recognised beer as a culinary ingredient in its own right, winning the prestigious Prosper Montagné Prize for its recipe for veal sweetbreads in beer. Since then, we have created many more recipes, all with the same aim: to bring out the rich flavours of each of our beers in inspired dishes that are often rooted in Belgian and European heritage.
What is beer pairing ?
Beer pairing, or food and beer pairing, is the art of matching a beer with a dish to create a harmonious, balanced, or surprising tasting experience. It relies on three main approaches: harmony (flavours that naturally complement each other), contrast (opposing tastes that enhance one another), and the flavour bridge (a shared ingredient or aroma that links the beer and the dish). Texture, serving temperature, and the beer’s effervescence also play a role in the success of the pairing.
In other words, beer doesn’t simply accompany a dish: it enhances its nuances, reveals unexpected facets, and sometimes even balances out its excesses. The goal isn’t necessarily to serve the same beer used in cooking — on the contrary, playing with contrast between what’s on the plate and what’s in the glass can open the door to much more complex experiences.
How do I find the perfect match ?
Before you sit down to eat, follow these useful pointers. Rule one – balance. A light beer will enhance a delicate dish, while a fuller-bodied beer will hold its own when paired with a hearty stew or mature cheese. Then there are contrasting effects: a hint of bitterness that cuts through a creamy sauce, a fruity note that adds freshness to a rich dish. Finally, texture is just as important as taste. A smooth foam, lasting bitterness or a dry finish can transform a dish.
What dishes make the perfect match with St-Feuillien beers?
St-Feuillien Blonde
Let’s start with St-Feuillien Blonde. Its sweetness and subtle bitterness make it the perfect complement to white meats, tender vegetables and cream-based sauces. Try it with veal served alongside tender vegetables or a puff pastry sautéed mushroom tart. When it comes to fish and seafood, it is the perfect accompaniment to a cod fillet in a beer and brown shrimp sauce.
St-Feuillien Brune
Then there’s the more intense St-Feuillien Brune that develops roasted and slightly sweet aromas. It is sublime with stews such as traditional Belgian carbonnade with chicory or pork fillet with grapes and a dash of Sirop de Liège. It can also be used in a sauce to be served with rabbit, along with spices and traditional vegetables.
St-Feuillien Triple
Looking for a more sophisticated pairing? Our St-Feuillien Triple, a powerful, spicy beer, is the perfect match for high-quality red meat. Imagine Belgian blanc-bleu beef fillet, seared, sliced and wrapped in bacon and spinach, topped off with beer-candied shallots. A complex dish such as this calls for a beer that can hold its own.
Grand Cru
Finally, our St-Feuillien Grand Cru, with its finesse and dry bitterness, pairs exceptionally well with fish, seafood and full-flavoured dishes. A simple roasted salmon on a bed of sauerkraut is transformed. The Grand Cru balances the richness of the fish and lifts the whole dish with its floral aromas. It also goes wonderfully well with winter vegetables, such as artichoke hearts in a beer-infused veal stock reduction.
Traditional cuisine with many influences
What makes the St-Feuillien experience even more delicious is the range of inspirations that contribute to it. Belgian cuisine, from stoofvlees to Liège-style meatballs, obviously has pride of place. But there are also French dishes with rich sauces, such as mustard chicken or chicken in cream sauce, classic smoked meat dishes from Luxembourg or Dutch touches with herring, cabbage and potatoes. Every dish, and every region, can find a match in the palette of flavours offered by the brewery.
The brewery’s special pairings
Obviously, St-Feuillien has its favourites. For example, beef fillet with our Triple beer is a true classic for red meat lovers. Fried salmon with sauerkraut finds its perfect partner in our Grand Cru, with the bitterness of the beer cutting through the rich fish. Sorbet laced with St-Feuillien Fruit offers an irresistible natural freshness – the perfect way to end a meal.
Another excellent pairing: pork fillet with grapes and St-Feuillien Brune, where the caramelised notes of the beer mingle with the sugar from the fruit. And for vegetable lovers, artichoke hearts with Grand Cru offer an alternative that is light but surprisingly tasty. All these pairings are simple, accessible and, above all, delicious.
For the curious (and foodies)
Can you really replace wine with beer at the dining table ?
Yes, definitely. With its range of aromas and textures, beer can offer bolder and more subtle pairings than wine.
Does beer go well with cheese ?
Absolutely. A Brune goes very well with strong, mature cheeses, while a Blonde will bring out all the flavour of soft cheeses or fresh cheese.
And what about desserts ?
St-Feuillien Fruit is perfect for fruit-based and frozen desserts. For a richer dessert, such as chocolate cake, try a slightly chilled Brune.
Are the same beers used for both cooking and drinking ?
They certainly are. The brewery recommends cooking with the same beer you serve at the table. This is the best way to create a good consistency of flavour through a meal.
Summary of Key Concepts
- Harmony pairing : beer and dish share a similar aromatic profile or texture.
- Contrast pairing : opposites enhance one another (rich vs. bitter, sweet vs. sour).
- Flavour bridge pairing: a shared ingredient (caramel, spices, citrus) acts as a link between the two.
Where can I find the full St-Feuillien range ?
All our beers are available from our official online shop, and also from many beer merchants and specialist distributors.
Shop St-Feuillien
Why not try your own pairings ? Beer loves the curious. Dare to explore combinations, play with textures, intensities, and aromas. And above all, enjoy yourself.
