A Brewer’s Guide to Beer with a Sunday Roast

There’s something about a Sunday roast that I always look forward to. The smell of potatoes crisping in the oven, a joint of meat resting on the side, and the usual debate over whether there’s enough gravy to go around.

Working in a brewery, I probably give the choice of beer more thought than most, because a good pint can change how you enjoy a meal. The best beer for a Sunday roast often comes down to what’s on the plate, and particularly what’s going into the gravy.

What Makes a Good Beer for a Sunday Roast?

The best beer for a Sunday roast depends on the meat, gravy and accompanying vegetables. Traditional bitters and amber ales are excellent choices for richer roasts such as beef and lamb, while golden ales and lighter pale ales often work better with chicken. The key is choosing a beer that balances the flavours of the meal without overpowering them.

Malt is a good starting point. Depending on how it’s kilned and roasted, malted barley can bring biscuit, bread, caramel or toasted flavours to a beer. Those flavours sit naturally alongside the browned edges of roast potatoes, slow-roasted meat and caramelised vegetables.

Then there’s hop bitterness. A little can be particularly useful with fatty meats and rich gravy, helping to balance the richness between mouthfuls.Ultimately, the beer should complement what’s on the plate rather than compete with it.

The Best Beer for Each Sunday Roast

Roast Beef: You Can’t Beat a Traditional Bitter

Roast beef is where a traditional bitter really comes into its own, especially with a good crust on the outside and a generous helping of gravy.

A malt-driven bitter or amber ale works particularly well here. The toasted malt complements the roasted flavours of the beef, while moderate bitterness balances the richness of the gravy.

Our Farmer’s Best is a dark amber bitter with a rounded, malt-driven character, which makes it a natural choice for a roast beef dinner.

Why I’d Choose a Golden Ale with Roast Chicken

Chicken calls for something a little lighter, particularly if you’re serving it with herbs, roast potatoes and a relatively delicate gravy.

A golden ale is the way to go. You still get enough malt character to complement the roasted skin, but without the heavier flavours that might overpower the meat.

From our range, Ramsbury Gold fits best. Brewed using our estate-grown barley and English Golding hops, it has a light, hoppy character that works nicely alongside roast chicken.

Roast Pork and a Hoppier Pint

With roast pork, the accompaniments matter: the richness of the meat, salty crackling and, quite often, a spoonful of apple sauce. Pork can take a little more hop character, particularly when there’s plenty of crackling.

Our Belapur IPA is a good option. It’s well-hopped, with a fruity, citrus finish that offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pork. The hop bitterness also works particularly well with the salty crackling.

A Fuller-Bodied Ale for Roast Lamb

Lamb has a distinctive flavour, so it needs a beer with a little more body and malt character. A traditional bitter or amber ale is a dependable choice, especially when the lamb is served with rosemary, garlic and a rich gravy.

Farmer’s Best works again here. Its rounded malt character stands up to the richness of the meat, while the bitterness helps balance the gravy.

Christmas Turkey and All the Trimmings

Christmas dinner is a little different from your usual Sunday roast. There’s the turkey, of course, but also stuffing, pigs in blankets, cranberry sauce and plenty of gravy to think about.

A golden ale like our Ramsbury Gold usually works best. Its lighter character suits the turkey, while the gentle hop bitterness helps balance some of the richer trimmings. If you’re particularly generous with the gravy and stuffing, a traditional bitter like Farmer’s Best is another good choice.

Vegetarian Roasts: It’s All About the Vegetables

A mushroom or nut roast suits a malty amber ale, but with sweet roasted carrots and parsnips I’d reach for Honey Bee Nectar. It’s a light golden beer brewed with local Ramsbury honey, and its gentle sweetness suits those caramelised flavours.

Quick Guide: Which Beer Style Goes with Which Roast?

If you’re choosing a beer for your next Sunday lunch, these are the styles I’d generally recommend starting with. There’s plenty of room to experiment, of course.

Sunday roast	Recommended beer style	Ramsbury beer
Roast beef	Traditional bitter or amber ale	Farmer’s Best
Roast chicken	Golden ale or lighter pale ale	Ramsbury Gold
Roast pork	Hoppy pale ale or IPA	Belapur IPA
Roast lamb	Malt-driven bitter or amber ale	Farmer’s Best
Christmas turkey	Golden ale or traditional bitter	Ramsbury Gold / Farmer’s Best
Vegetarian roast	Golden ale or amber ale	Honey Bee Nectar

From the Brewhouse: A Few Things Worth Remembering

One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that the gravy can make as much difference to a beer pairing as the meat itself. A rich, deeply savoury beef gravy might call for a bitter with plenty of malt character, while a lighter chicken gravy gives you more freedom to choose something crisp and refreshing.

A Splash of Beer in the Gravy

If you want to take the pairing a step further, try adding a splash of beer to the gravy itself. A malty bitter like Farmer’s Best suits beef or lamb gravy, adding a rounded, toasty depth and a touch of caramel sweetness. For chicken or turkey, Ramsbury Gold keeps things lighter. Add it to the pan early and allow it to simmer, giving the flavours time to develop and the beer’s sharper edges a chance to mellow. I’d avoid anything too heavily hopped here, as reducing the gravy can concentrate the bitterness and leave it tasting a little harsh.

Serving temperature is worth thinking about, too. I wouldn’t serve a traditional bitter quite as cold as a lager. When beer is too cold, some of its malt character and aroma become harder to appreciate, and a slightly warmer serving temperature lets those flavours come through.

I have a soft spot for a well-kept pint of cask ale with a roast, as the gentler carbonation suits traditional cooking. Bottled beer can be just as enjoyable, though, particularly when a little extra carbonation helps balance the richness of the meal.

Enjoy a Sunday Roast with a Ramsbury Beer

Here at Ramsbury, we’re fortunate to brew our beers on the same Wiltshire estate where we grow our barley. That close connection to the ingredients helps shape the beers we make.

Whether it’s a pint of Farmer’s Best alongside roast beef, Belapur IPA with pork or a refreshing Ramsbury Gold with chicken, there’s something satisfying about finding a beer that brings out the best in a good meal. I wouldn’t say there’s one perfect pairing for every Sunday roast, so half the enjoyment is discovering what works for you.

Explore our range of Ramsbury beers and find something to enjoy with your next Sunday lunch.