The Perfect Pint: Beer & Charcuterie Pairings from The Real Cure
Few pairings are as satisfying as great beer and artisan charcuterie. While wine often steals the spotlight, beer offers an incredible range of flavours, aromas and textures that complement cured meats just as beautifully. From crisp pilsners that cleanse the palate to rich porters that echo deep savoury notes, there's a beer style for every salami.
Here are our favourite pairings from across The Real Cure range.
Beef Snacking Salami × Oaky Amber Ale
Our Beef Snacking Salami is rich, savoury and packed with bold beef flavour. Pair it with an oaky amber ale, where gentle malt sweetness and subtle oak notes mirror the salami's depth without overpowering it. It's an easy-going combination perfect for an afternoon pint.
Black Garlic Salami × Belgian Dubbel
The sweet umami character of fermented black garlic deserves a beer with similar complexity. A Belgian Dubbel offers notes of caramel, dried fruit and spice that beautifully enhance the mellow richness of the Black Garlic Salami while lifting the savoury finish.
Black Truffle Salami × Pilsner
Earthy truffle loves clean, elegant flavours. A traditional Pilsner provides crisp bitterness and refreshing carbonation that lets the luxurious truffle remain the star while cleansing the palate between each bite. We like to enjoy our Black Truffle Salami wrapped around nuggets of Dorset Blue Vinny Cheese, washed down with a Salcombe Brewery Pilsner, so a full South West experience.
Dorset Blue Vinny & Fig Salami × Coffee Porter
Sweet figs and tangy Dorset Blue Vinny create an indulgent combination that's perfectly matched by a coffee porter. Gentle roasted malt, chocolate and fruity coffee notes complement the blue cheese while balancing the sweetness of the figs.
Dorset Bresaola × Helles Lager
Delicately cured beef deserves something equally refined. A Helles Lager is crisp, lightly bready and refreshing, allowing the subtle flavour of the Bresaola to shine while refreshing the palate after every slice. We've always enjoyed the brews from Lost & Grounded Brewery, and their Helles Lager is definitely in our top two beers from them, beaten only by their totally amazing Keller Pils Lager.
Dorset Nduja × IPA
The fiery warmth of Dorset Nduja loves hops. A citrus-forward West Coast IPA offers grapefruit, pine and bright bitterness that stand up to the spice while cleansing the palate and keeping you coming back for another bite.
Fennel & White Pepper Salami × Kölsch
Delicate fennel and gentle white pepper call for something equally refreshing. A Kölsch is crisp, clean and lightly floral, enhancing the aromatic fennel without masking its subtle sweetness. We like the Kolsh brew from Moonwake Beer Co - they love a twist on a classic as much as we do.
Hartgrove Coppa × Vienna Lager
Rich marbling and delicate seasoning make Hartgrove Coppa a perfect partner for a Vienna Lager. Toasted malt flavours echo the sweetness of the pork while the clean finish keeps every slice tasting fresh. We like Vienna from Wilderness Brewery, the subtle notes of cedar in the lightly hopped brew are delicious with the clean and sweet pork from our Hartgrove Coppa.
Mutton Snacking Salami with Harissa & Preserved Lemon × Saison
This bold salami deserves an equally characterful beer. A Belgian Saison brings peppery spice, lively carbonation and citrus notes that complement the harissa while enhancing the preserved lemon's brightness.
Pink Peppercorn & Purbeck Cider Salami × Peach Lager
The gentle spice of pink peppercorns and subtle cider sweetness pair wonderfully with an aromatic peach lager. Delicate stone fruit notes lift the cider flavours while keeping the finish light and refreshing. We really enjoy Jubel Peach Beer, and the new peach lager brewed by Badger Brewery for Outlands. It's lovely to enjoy alongside our Pink Peppercorn and Purbeck Cider Salami, especially when wrapped around a hard cheese like Quickes' Devonshire Red Clothbound.
Sloe & Garlic Wild Venison Salami × English Bitter
Gamey wild venison and rich sloes work beautifully with a classic English Bitter. Its balanced bitterness, gentle malt character and earthy hop profile enhance the venison without overwhelming it's natural flavour. We like to cut a 110g stick of our Sloe & Garlic Wild Venison Salami in to small chunk to have them as bite in the middle of the table to share, whilst we sip on a couple of our favourite English-style bitters; Midsummer Fling from Harpoon Brewery, and Redfeather from Black Raven Brewing Co.
Black Truffle Snacking Salami × Märzen
The concentrated richness of our Black Truffle Snacking Salami pairs beautifully with a Märzen. Toasted bread crust, caramel malt and a smooth finish bring out the earthy truffle while remaining wonderfully drinkable.
Wild Venison Beer Sticks × Robust Porter
A snack made for beer deserves a beer with plenty of character. Robust Porter delivers roasted malt, dark chocolate and gentle coffee notes that stand confidently alongside the rich, savoury venison from our Wild Venison Beer Sticks.
Wild Venison Chorizo × Belgian Fruit Beer
Wild venison and smoky paprika of our Wild Venison Chorizo are lifted beautifully by a Belgian Kriek or cherry fruit beer. Bright acidity and juicy fruit cut through the richness while complementing the natural sweetness of the venison. We really enjoy the Mangose Paradise brew from Monkey Brewhouse, its tangy fruity notes pair fantastically with our Wild Venison Chorizo.
Wild Venison Pepperoni × Extra Dry Lager
The smoky heat of our Wild Venison Pepperoni is perfectly balanced by an extra dry lager. Crisp carbonation and a clean, dry finish cool the palate, allowing the spice to remain vibrant without becoming overwhelming.
Raise a Glass
Whether you're building a grazing board for friends, packing a picnic or relaxing with a pint after a long week, pairing beer with charcuterie is all about balance. Crisp beers refresh, darker beers complement rich flavours, and hoppy styles tame spice. Don't be afraid to experiment—some of the best pairings come from trying something unexpected.
So next time you're choosing a beer, skip the wine aisle and head for the bottle shop. Your charcuterie board will thank you.
Cheers!
