Chicago’s Guide to Wine & Beer Pairings — Plus Local Tasting Events

Chicago diners appreciate unique, bold flavors, traditional cooking techniques, and good aesthetics — yet still, even a superb Chicago meal is elevated when paired with the right beer or wine. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying a casual night out, knowing what beer or wine to order can make a big difference. Best of all, Wildfire Chicago offers wine and beer tasting events that make learning and exploring fun and easy!

Wine Pairing Basics for Chicago Dining

Wine pairings work best when they complement the flavor, intensity level, and texture of a dish. In Chicago, where many menus lean toward filling plates, going for a balanced pairing is really important. 

Red Wines

Red wines typically pair well with richer dishes and grilled or roasted meats.

• Cabernet Sauvignon – Bold and full-bodied, Cabernet is a go-to with steaks and chops
• Syrah/Shiraz – Known for its peppery, savory quality, this pairs especially well with roasted meats and rich sauces
• Merlot – Smooth choice that goes great with braised meats and meals with earthy, mushroom flavors

White Wines

White wines bring acidity and freshness to your meal, so they are great for lighter dishes and seafood that need a little perking up.

• Chardonnay – Goes great with cream sauces or roasted poultry
• Sauvignon Blanc – The bright acidity pairs excellently with citrus, herbs and lighter fare
  

Rosé & Sparkling Wines

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, these wines make for solid pairings.

• Rosé brings flavors of both red and white wine to the table, making them a flexible pairing option for a variety of dishes

Sparkling wines cleanse the palate and work especially well with appetizers and seafood

Beer Pairing Basics for Flavor-Forward Meals

Beer offers a broader spectrum of flavors than wine, as well as carbonation levels and textures, making it a more reliable pairing for almost any meal. However, with all the variety out there, it’s important to be thoughtful and choose a beer that does a good job complimenting, or contrasting, the food.

• Pale Ales & IPAs – The bitterness from these beers helps balance out rich or fatty meals
• Wheat Beers & Pilsners – Light and refreshing, these beers are great for seafood and vegetable dishes
• Stouts & Porters – Roasted malt flavors go well with more savory dishes and desserts

Signature Wine & Beer Events at Wildfire Chicago

Wildfire Chicago’s pairing events are designed to show how thoughtfully selected wines and beers interact with each course. These experiences offer an educated and elevated experience for people of all levels. 

Langtry Farms & Vineyard Wine Dinner

This multi-course wine dinner highlights carefully selected wines paired with dishes crafted to enhance each part of the meal. A guided tasting format helps guests better understand flavor profiles, balance, and more throughout the meal.

Guests can expect a thoughtful pairing journey, moving from lighter to fuller-bodied wines and ending with a complementary dessert!

Bell’s Brewery Beer Dinner

Beer dinners showcase how different beer styles interact with food. Each course is paired to highlight characteristics such as hop bitterness, malt sweetness, and carbonation.

These events demonstrate beer’s many pairing options, from lighter starters to richer entrées and desserts.

Chicago Restaurant Week: Exploring Pairings Your Way

Chicago Restaurant Week offers even more freedom to explore wine and beer pairings through prix-fixe menus. Without a guided format, guests can experiment with pairings at their own pace and apply pairing concepts in a relaxed setting.

Here are a few easy rules of thumb to keep in mind when ordering:

• Lighter beverages pair well with starters and first courses
• Fuller-bodied wines or balanced beers complement main dishes
• Richer pours enhance dessert flavors
  

Chicago Restaurant Week encourages locals and tourists alike to discover what combinations work best for their own tastes.

Seasonal Pairing Inspiration for Chicago Diners

Chicago’s seasons play a role in how food and drink are enjoyed, and pairing choices reflect these seasonal shifts. 

Winter

Heavier dishes call for full-bodied red wines and darker beer styles, which add warmth and depth.

Spring

Brighter flavors pair well with crisp whites, rosé, and lighter beers.

Summer

Refreshing wines and clean, crisp beers complement lighter menus and warmer weather.

Fall

Richer wines and malt-forward beers go well with roasted, savory, and seasonal dishes.

Pairing Cheat Sheet

This quick reference highlights classic, reliable pairings that work across menus and seasons.

Dish Type	Wine Pairing	Beer Pairing
Steak or chops	Cabernet Sauvignon	IPA or Amber Ale
Creamy pasta	Chardonnay	Wheat Beer
Seafood	Sauvignon Blanc	Pilsner
Roasted or BBQ meats	Syrah	Pale Ale
Chocolate dessert	Dessert wine	Stout

 

Bringing Pairings to Life in Chicago

Wine and beer pairings don’t have to be complicated. Through seasonal menus, guided tasting events, and Chicago events like Restaurant Week, Wildfire Chicago offers multiple ways to explore how food and drink work together!

Whether you prefer super structured pairing dinners or discovering great combinations on your own, we hope this guide makes pairing wine and beer feel more accessible and enjoyable