Is there anything better than a basket of hot, crispy French fries and an ice-cold beer? Since today is National French Fry Day, I figured it was the perfect excuse to talk about one of my favorite pairings. Whether you’re ordering shoestring fries at your neighborhood brewery, sharing a basket of loaded fries while watching the game, or sneaking a few off your friend’s plate (we’ve all done it), the right beer can make every bite even better.
French fries may seem pretty simple, but they’re surprisingly versatile. Thin-cut, steak fries, waffle fries, curly fries, garlic fries, truffle fries, loaded fries… every style brings something a little different to the table. The good news is there’s a beer to match just about every basket.
If you’re sticking with classic salted fries, you really can’t go wrong with a Pilsner or Lager. Their crisp, refreshing finish cuts through the richness of fried food and cleanses your palate, making every bite taste as good as the first. Sometimes the simplest combinations are the ones we keep coming back to.
If you’re reaching for Cajun fries or anything with a little extra seasoning, try pairing them with a Pale Ale. The citrus notes and light hop bitterness complement the spices without overwhelming them.
Now let’s talk about loaded fries. You know the kind… melted cheese, crispy bacon, chili, jalapeños, sour cream, and maybe even a drizzle of ranch. At that point, they’re practically a meal. An Amber Ale is a great choice because its slightly sweet malt balances all those rich flavors while still letting the fries shine.
Then there’s my personal favorite… the IPA.
If you’ve been reading Life of Beer for a while, you already know IPAs are my frenemy. I love them, but they also taught me a valuable lesson about moderation. That said, a great West Coast IPA paired with garlic fries is hard to beat. The hops cut through the richness beautifully, while a hazy IPA offers juicy citrus flavors that work especially well with spicy fries or buffalo-style toppings.
If darker beers are more your thing, don’t overlook a Brown Ale. Its roasted, nutty character pairs wonderfully with steak fries, truffle fries, or a juicy burger served with a mountain of fries on the side.
The best part? You don’t have to stop celebrating when National French Fry Day ends. Tomorrow gives us the perfect excuse to do it all over again as France takes on Spain in the FIFA World Cup semifinal. Whether you’re watching from your favorite brewery, meeting friends at your neighborhood sports bar, or firing up the television at home, grab another basket of fries, order your favorite beer, and enjoy what should be an incredible match.
After all, great beer, great food, and great sports have a way of bringing people together. If you ask me, that’s something worth celebrating any day of the year.
Now I want to hear from you. What’s your favorite beer-and-fry combination? Are you a classic lager and shoestring fries kind of person, or do you go all in with garlic fries and a hoppy IPA?
Cheers, my friends… and as always, drink responsibly!
Great Happy Hour + World Cup Atmosphere
🍺 Los Angeles County
- Karl Strauss Brewing Company (Downtown LA)
- Excellent craft beer lineup
- Daily Happy Hour
- Plenty of TVs for major sporting events
- Common Space Brewery (Hawthorne)
- One of the best soccer-friendly breweries in South Bay
- Huge beer garden
- Frequently hosts major sporting events on large screens
- Highland Park Brewery (Chinatown)
- Outstanding hazy IPAs and lagers
- Excellent food
- Great atmosphere before or during matches
- Tirebiter Brewery (USC)
- Smaller brewery
- Great beer
- Close to downtown sports scene
- Homage Brewing (Chinatown)
- Award-winning beer
- Modern taproom
- Excellent place before catching a match downtown
🍊 Orange County
These are among my favorites for beer and soccer.
- Ballast Point Brewing Long Beach
- Fantastic waterfront location
- Large beer selection
- Great place for World Cup viewing
- Green Cheek Beer Co.
- One of California’s top-rated breweries
- Excellent IPAs
- Casual sports atmosphere
- Golden Road Brewing Anaheim
- Large outdoor patio
- Great Happy Hour
- Excellent for groups
- Brewery X
- Giant beer hall
- Massive screens
- Often shows international soccer
- Old World Biergarten
- One of Southern California’s premier World Cup watch parties
- German beers
- Giant LED screens
- Soccer Fest runs throughout the tournament.
