Your cart is currently empty!
The Best Beer for Pizza Lovers This Weekend
First things first, a big congratulations to our friend Steven Deasy at Wildfire Pizza, who’ve just been featured in The Irish Independent as one of the top pizza spots in the country — and the place Michelin-starred chefs go when they’re off duty. No surprise to us. He’s been serving up wood-fired brilliance to Flanagan’s customers in Lahinch for years now, with orders straight from the truck by the beer garden and enjoyed fresh with a cold Western Herd beer inside. A proper local favourite, and now officially one of Ireland’s best.
To mark the occasion, we’ve put together a handy beer and pizza pairing guide based on the Wildfire Pizza menu and Western Herd Beers.
🍕 The OG — Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella & Basil
Pair with: Loop Head Pilsner
Why it works:
- Crisp & Clean: The light, refreshing body of a pilsner won’t overpower the delicate flavours of the fresh mozzarella and basil.
- Subtle Bitterness: A classic noble hop bitterness balances the slight sweetness of the tomato sauce and cuts through the richness of the cheese.
- Carbonation Lift: High carbonation acts like a palate cleanser, making each bite feel fresh — especially important with creamy cheeses like buffalo mozzarella.
🍕 The West Chick — Chicken, pesto, mixed peppers
Pair with: County Clare Pale Ale
Why it works:
- Zesty and refreshing: The citrusy hops in our pale ale brightens the roasted peppers and lifts the herbal pesto without overwhelming the chicken.
- Light body: Its easy-drinking nature keeps the focus on the pizza’s fresh, summery flavours.
- Balanced bitterness: Just enough bite to contrast the richness of the cheese and pesto, leaving your palate refreshed.
🍕 Athina (V) — Feta, caramelised onion, olives, peppers
Pair with: Spanish Point American Ale
Why it works:
- Crisp and dry finish: Cuts through the creamy feta and sweetness of the onions, balancing every bite.
- Clean bitterness: Holds its own against bold, salty ingredients like olives and roasted veg.
- Citrus hop notes: Add a lively edge that pairs beautifully with the Mediterranean-inspired toppings.
🍕 The Cure — Parma ham, rocket, mascarpone, parmesan
Pair with: Atlantic Irish Red Ale
Why it works:
- Malty sweetness: The caramel notes in a red ale balance the saltiness of Parma ham and sharpness of parmesan beautifully.
- Toasty depth: Complements the savoury, umami-rich flavours without overpowering the fresh rocket or creamy mascarpone.
- Smooth, rounded finish: Makes for a mellow, moreish pairing that’s as satisfying as it is sessionable.
So whether you’re planning a weekend in Lahinch or recreating the experience at home, you’ll always have the perfect pint to match your slice. In the meantime, we’ll keep the pairings coming — the only thing better than great pizza is knowing exactly what beer to enjoy it with.