Skill level: Easy
Holiday entertaining just got an upgrade with these thoughtfully curated pear and craft beer pairings, inspired by the heart of Washington’s Yakima Valley—one of the nation’s leading regions for both pears and hops.
As growers rooted in this landscape, bringing these two together felt only natural. Each pairing highlights the unique flavor profiles of different pear varieties alongside locally crafted beers, creating a balance of sweetness, bitterness, and depth. Whether you explore all four or build your spread around a favorite, these pairings offer a fresh, festive way to celebrate the season and National Pear Month!
Four pear and craft beer pairings inspired by Yakima Valley. A fresh, flavorful way to elevate your holiday entertaining.
Pilsner and Red Pears
Red Pears, such as Starkrimson, Red Anjou, and Red Bartlett, are known for their sweet, floral notes. When paired with the Bron-Yr-Aur Heisenberg Pilsner, the sweet pear notes complement the light, hoppy, and malty notes of the Pilsner.
Adding a cheese to the mix? Try a mild brie!
From crisp pilsners to rich stouts, these pear and beer pairings bring balance, flavor, and a seasonal twist to your table.
IPA and Bartlett Pears
For this pairing, we found that sipping the beer first, then biting the pear, was optimal. The honey sweetness of the pear cuts through the hoppy bitterness of the IPA, creating a smooth transition between the two. We chose the Yakima Pale Ale (YPA) from Cowiche Creek Brewing for its incredible hoppy and citrus notes.
Throwing some cheese on the platter, too? Try gorgonzola!
Rich, smooth dark ale paired with sweet, honeyed Bosc pears. A warm, cozy combination made for slow, fireside moments.
Dark Ale and Bosc Pears
The Iron Horse Brewery Irish Death Dark Smooth Ale evokes the holidays with its sweet molasses flavors. The honey-sweet notes of Bosc Pears pair so well with this one! We particularly found ourselves dreaming of sitting next to a fire, sipping a pint of this one, and snacking on some pears.
Bold, coffee-forward stout balanced by the bright, refreshing bite of D’Anjou pears. A pairing that’s both rich and invigorating.
Stout and D’Anjou Pears
The Bale Breaker Dormancy Breakfast Stout has the perfect name… with its coffee-forward notes and oatmeal background, we imagine waking up on a snowy mountainside and eating this one paired with a D’Anjou Pear for breakfast. The brightness of the pear wakes us up, along with the caffeine in this beer! Headed to the mountains this weekend? This is the pairing for you!
Pear-and-beer pairings were inspired by USA Pears.
