Crack Open the Perfect Pairing: Beer & Nuts Done Right

by TBC Warehouse

Let’s settle a timeless debate: What’s the ultimate beer snack? (Hint: It’s not that sad bowl of stale pretzels on the bar.) We’re talking about nuts—specifically, the kind that make your local brew taste like it was handed to you by a flavor wizard. At The Basket Company, we’ve spent years taste-testing Western New York’s craft beers alongside our small-batch nuts (tough job, but someone had to do it). Here’s your guide to pairings that’ll make even a Tuesday night feel like a pub crawl through Chautauqua County.

For IPA Lovers: Buffalo Peanuts

The Beer: A hoppy, citrusy IPA (try Southern Tier’s Lake Shore Fog).
The Nut: Our Buffalo Peanuts—fiery, tangy, and aggressively crunchy.
Why It Works: The heat from the peanuts plays off the IPA’s bitterness, while the beer’s grapefruit notes cool the burn. It’s a flavor rollercoaster.
Pro Move: Add our sea salt caramel mix for a sweet-salty intermission between sips.

For Stout Fans: Dark Chocolate-Covered Almonds

The Beer: A velvety stout (Ellicottville’s Nut Brown Ale).
The Nut: Dark Chocolate Almonds with 72% cacao.
Why It Works: The beer’s coffee notes deepen the chocolate’s richness, and the almond’s crunch cuts through the stout’s creaminess. Feels decadent, but you’re still technically “snacking.”

For Pilsner Purists: Sea Salt Caramel Mix

The Beer: A crisp pilsner (Flying Bison’s Rusty Chain).
The Nut: Our Sea Salt Caramel Mix (pretzels + cashews + peanuts).
Why It Works: The beer’s clean maltiness highlights the caramel’s buttery depth, while the salt makes each sip taste brighter. Bonus: The pretzels add a chew that pilsners lack.

For Sour Enthusiasts: Milk Chocolate Hazelnuts

The Beer: A tart raspberry sour (42 North’s Beach Blonde).
The Nut: Milk Chocolate Hazelnuts.
Why It Works: The sour’s fruitiness turns the chocolate into a grown-up Nutella moment. The hazelnut’s earthiness keeps it from being too sweet.

The Wildcard: Lager + Everything Bag

The Beer: A no-nonsense lager (Genesee Cream Ale—yes, we’re biased).
The Nut: All of them. Create a DIY tasting board with:

  • Buffalo peanuts (spicy)

  • Dark chocolate almonds (bitter)

  • Sea salt mix (salty-sweet)
    Why It Works: Lager is the ultimate palate cleanser. Alternate bites and sips to taste how each nut changes the beer’s flavor.

Pairings are guidelines, not rules. The best combo is the one that makes you grin. (Our team swears by sponge candy + porter, but we’ll save that for another post.)

Ready to host your own tasting? Explore our Nuts Collection. We’ll even recommend local breweries to visit!

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