Food pairings with IPA?!
Answers: Just picked up a 6 pack of lagunas IPA and it's pretty good, but I can't seem to think of a food that it would go good with because it's so bitter. Had it with some easter chocolate, that was ok, but what else would be tasty with it?
Bold Beer = Bold Food
I find I like IPAs with thinks like Indian and Thia... Or really just a good steak sometimes. It is really just a matter of choice much like wine pairing.
If is is a citrus IPA try it with a cheese plate... I can't recall ever having Lagunitas' IPA before. I just finished a Bell's Hop Slam and it would have gone well with Chicken since it had a strong citrus/grapefruit character.
EDIT:
Just check BA for you and it is saying curries and thia also...
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/220...
tex-mex
or anything spicy
The full bodied hoppiness of an IPA can stand up to bold & spicy foods (buffalo sauce, Mexican foods, etc.) When pairing beer with food, you have to be careful not to overpower the food with the beer, or vice versa. (For example, an imperial IPA would kill the taste of a light chicken dish, but a spicy thai dish would overpower the complexities in a strong Belgian ale). But just keep in mind that the hoppiness can bring out the heat in spicy foods.
IPA's also go well with shrimp, crab & other lighter fish.
this might sound boring, but my favorite things to order at a restaurant i used to go to was a pint of their IPA and their huge house salad. the salad was a good crisp accompaniment to the beer, especially if you pair it with a spicy dressing (i like balsamic). get yourself a sourdough baguette and you're all set. (i'm also a vegetarian, so apologies if you'd prefer something meatier.)