There are no hard and fast rules - most beers go with one food type or another - but finding a truly superb beer/food match is more of a challenge. It isn't as simple as having a bag of chips or a mince pie with a handle of draught. The approach has to be more sophisticated and involves discovering the predominant flavours of the beer and finding food with the same or complementary flavours.

There are three things you can do to make your task easier:

1. Make sure your beer is in good condition. The best flavours will only be found in fresh beer served in tip top condition.
2. Aim for synergy. Neither the beer nor the food should overwhelm the other. And remember, like all beverages beer flavours change according to the food you enjoy them with so don't guess - try them out!
3. Have fun and don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your preference.

Remember while it is possible to either complement or contrast your beer and food flavours the overall quest is for synergy. At the end of the day the main thing is to keep it simple - match like with like - and like it all!

Lagers and lighter ales - e.g. Export Gold, Monteith's, Golden Lager, Summer Ale or Radler

Mild lagers and lighter ales are great with food with more subtle flavours (like shellfish or chicken). However, if you are looking for a contrast, try with spicy foods such as a good curry. 

Pilsners and more bitter beers - e.g. Heineken, Amstel Light or Premium, Tiger Beer, Monteith's Original and Pilsner

Dishes with herb flavours, tomato or capsicum sauces and those with smoked ingredients are superb with pilsners and more bitter beers. The distinct hop aroma and flavours complement the herbal and grassy ingredients in the dishes. Some pilsners also work well with spicy food.

Malty beers - e.g. Tui Pale Ale, DB Draught, Murphy's Irish Red, Monteith's Celtic Red

The malty flavour and well-balanced bitterness of robust ale styles are ideal for the meat connoisseur. Enjoy these beers with lamb, beef, veal or even roasted pork. Ales also go well with more strongly flavoured foods. Increase the seasoning or choose more strongly flavoured ingredients and the beer flavour must also be more intense.

Dark beers - e.g. Mangatainoka Dark, Murphy's Irish Stout, Monteith's Black

Dark beers are balanced by red meats in rich sauces and gravies. To establish your own benchmark try a glass with a thick juicy steak or roast beef served with lashings of gravy.

Some of them, especially those with an identifiable fruitiness or caramel/toffee taste, also match well with desserts. Choose a dessert without too much flour and tending towards coffee and chocolate flavours.