A Complete Guide to Beer & BBQ Pairings
The first signs of summer are here – finally! Longer evenings, sunshine on your face and the unmistakable scent of barbecue smoke lingering in the air.
With Father’s Day around the corner, it’s the perfect excuse to fire up the grill, crack open a cold one and enjoy some well-deserved time with family and friends.
At Ramsbury, we believe the best BBQs start with great beer. That’s why we’ve created the ultimate guide to beer and food pairings, featuring our best bold, refreshing brews from the Ramsbury portfolio – all brewed with homegrown barley from our Wiltshire estate.
Whether you’re planning the ultimate summer-sizzling cookout or a chilled-out afternoon in the garden, these expertly crafted beer pairing ideas will take your summer spread to the next level.
Looking for the perfect BBQ beers for summer? Don’t worry, you’re in safe hands.
1. Ramsbury Gold & The Classic Cheeseburger
Ramsbury Gold is a golden ale made for sunny BBQ afternoons. Smooth and refreshing, it’s an easy win with flame-grilled classics like cheeseburgers – especially when layered with a rich mature cheddar and tangy fresh relish.
Tasting Notes: Light, crisp and balanced with a gentle citrus zing.
Pair with: Grass-fed beef burgers, cheddar, brioche buns, mustard slaw.
Also works with: Grilled corn, sea-salted crisps (yes, one of the best beer snacks).
Shop Ramsbury Gold
2. Farmer’s Best and Flame-Grilled Sausages
When you’re cooking up bangers, this classic British bitter is your best friend. Our award-winning Farmer’s Best brings out the herby richness of pork sausages and cuts through the smokiness with ease.
Tasting Notes: Traditional best bitter with a deep malty profile and soft bitterness.
Pair with: Spicy or herby sausages, grilled onions, Dijon mustard.
Top Tip: Works beautifully with smoked cheddar – a low-key beer and cheese win.
Try Farmer’s Best
3. Red Ram & Sticky BBQ Ribs
When sweet, sticky ribs are on the menu, reach for Red Ram. It’s depth and malty warmth complement BBQ sauce perfectly and stand up to the bold grilled meats.
Tasting Notes: Roasted malt, soft caramel, and a toasty, smooth finish.
Pair with: Baby back ribs, sweet bourbon glaze, pickled slaw
BBQ Hack: Add beer to your glaze for an extra hit of flavour
Get Red Ram
4. Belapur IPA & Spicy Chicken Wings
Spicy, smoky wings meet their match in Belapur IPA. The citrus zing cools heat while its bitterness resets your palate – the ultimate beer & BBQ dynamic.
Tasting Notes: Roasted malt, soft caramel, and a toasty, smooth finish.
Pair with: Buffalo wings, peri-peri chicken, chilli-lime drumsticks
Beer Snack Pairing: Spicy peanuts for an extra kick – one of the best beer snacks around.
Shop Belapur IPA
5. 506 Ale & BBQ Brisket
Slow-cooked meats deserve something with real depth. 506 Ale is bold and smooth, perfect for rich cuts like brisket or beef short ribs.
Tasting Notes: Chestnut ale with warming malt and dark fruit notes.
Pair with: BBQ brisket, burnt ends, sticky BBQ sauce.
Beer and cheese bonus: Add a cheese board with a deeper flavour like Stilton or mature cheddar for the ultimate beer and cheese duo.
Discover 506 Ale
6. Honey Bee Nectar & Grilled Glazed Salmon
This mellow, refreshing ale shines with grilled fish and summer salads. It’s delicate but flavourful – a seasonal winner among beers for summer.
Tasting Notes: Lightly sweet with floral honey aromas.
Pair with: Honey-glazed salmon, grilled prawns, citrus-dressed greens.
BBQ Snack Idea: Almonds or fig & brie crostini – a subtle beer food pairing twist.
Try Honey Bee Nectar
7. Ramsbury Low Alcohol (RLA) & BBQ Jackfruit
Designated driver? Hosting a daytime BBQ? RLA is crisp, complex and makes low-alcohol beer exciting again. Great with vegan mains or plant-based BBQ dishes.
Tasting Notes: Bright, hoppy and only 0.8% ABV.
Pair with: Jackfruit burgers, BBQ cauliflower steaks, grilled tofu.
Big flavour. Low ABV. No compromise.
Grab Ramsbury Low Alcohol (RLA)
Hosting a crowd? Go big with Ramsbury Beer in a Box
Planning a Father’s Day feast, birthday bash or just having everyone round for a sunny afternoon? Our Beer in a Box range gives you fresh-draught Ramsbury ale at home – with 9 or 18 pints ready to pour.
Perfect for garden parties, these boxes are:
- Sustainable (less packaging & lower waste)
- Great value (cheaper per pint than bottled)
- Ideal for events (no bottle caps, just straight from the tap pouring)
Available in favourites like Ramsbury Gold, Red Ram and Ramsbury Pale Ale- it’s a no-brainer for the perfect summer get-together.
Explore Beer in a Box
Bonus: Beer & Cheese Pairings for the Perfect Bite
Because nothing says “grown-up garden party” like a beer and cheese board, here ae three Ramsbury combos that never fail:
- Ramsbury Gold + Aged Cheddar – A classic balance of sharp and smooth
- 506 Ale + Stilton – If you’re a fan of blue cheese, rich meets bold in this dark ale pairing
- Milk Stout + Brie or dark chocolate – trust us on this one – sweet, savoury and totally unexpected!
Link for Milk Stout Bottles
Final BBQ Tips from the Ramsbury Team
There’s a couple more things from us that seal the deal when it comes to summer gatherings.
Remember:
- Chill your beer in an ice water mix to keep it fresh
- Use Ramsbury Black Gold Rapeseed Oil for your grill to optimise the flavour
- Don’t forget desserts, pair our Milk Stout with fruit or chocolate cake for a sweet finish
From juicy burgers to bold brisket to salty halloumi and sweet grilled salmon, Ramsbury beers are brewed to shine alongside great grub.
Cheers to Summer, BBQs and Brilliant Beer!
