A beer for starters, mains & dessert!

It’s time for wine to take a back seat during dinner

DO YOU choose the right wine to go with your meal? A French Sauvignon Blanc with your white fish or a bold Shiraz for steak and chips?

Well, beer can be just as good at accompanying your grub.

To celebrate International Beer Day today, we’ve found some of the country’s best craft beers to drink with your dinner. Cheers!

PILOT LEMON BIER (3.6% ABV) PRICE: £3 PER 330ML CAN

This sharp, zesty, and easy-drinking Lemon Bier from one of Scotland’s most popular craft breweries, the Leith-based Pilot Brewery, is the perfect summer beer.

Created by founders Matt Johnson and Patrick Jones, it’s a refreshing shandy that’s ideal for enjoying on a sunny day.

PAIR WITH Fish and chips by the seaside – acidic but not sour, it’s just sharp enough to cut through the batter and go perfectly with the delicious white fish underneath.

OVERTONE CALLISTA LAGER (4.5% ABV) PRICE: £3.70 PER 440ML CAN

This classic Czech Pilsner is dry-hopped with Callista hops, which brings flavours of passion fruit, stone fruit and berries with a hint of pine.

Created by Overtone, one of the country’s newest and most exciting breweries based out of Yoker, near Glasgow, it’s a rich lager with plenty of flavour.

PAIR WITH... curry, particularly tikka masala – refreshing and rich, it cuts through the creamy spiciness of the curry and light and fruity enough for a refreshing finish.

TEMPEST BRAVE NEW WORLD IPA (7% ABV) PRICE: £2.70 PER 330ML CAN

Sweet and bitter in equal measure, Tempest Brave New World IPA is made with a variety of hops to create a rich, punchy beer that’s a great example of the style.

Produced by Tempest, a Tweedbank-based brewery that’s won a slew of awards, it’s a great beer that won’t break the bank.

PAIR WITH.... a nice salad, the bitter and slightly resinous notes work well with a leafy salad, while the sharp tropical and citrus fruity flavours will enhance any dressing.

DRYGATE ORINOCO (6% ABV) PRICE: £1.75 PER 330ML CAN

This award-winning breakfast stout is ideal for those who like a darker beer filled with roasted flavours of coffee, chocolate, vanilla, oats and milk sugar.

One of Glasgow-based brewer Drygate’s best sellers, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.

PAIR WITH... Tablet – a fun twist on the post-meal coffee and tablet pairing, the rich chocolate notes of the stout go well with the sweetness of Scotland’s favourite sweetie.

FIERCE CRANACHAN KILLER (4.5% ABV) PRICE: £3.25 PER 440ML CAN

This deliciously sweet pale ale is crammed with raspberries and is a great choice for those with a sweet tooth. Part of the award-winning range from Aberdeenshire’s up and coming Fierce Beer, it makes for a great dessert beer.

PAIR WITH... Cranachan. It’s a fairly obvious choice but this beer goes incredibly well with the traditional Scottish dessert it was named after.

BARNEY’S EXTRA PALE (4% ABV) PRICE: £2.20 PER 330ML CAN

One of the lightest beers on our list, the Extra Pale is made using a light malt base and fruity New World hops to create a great session beer.

Produced by Barney’s, found in Edinburgh’s Summerhall, it’s light enough to enjoy at any time of the day.

PAIR WITH... All-day Scottish breakfast. Perfectly light, the Extra Pale Ale is great for enjoying in the afternoon side by side with a wee fry-up.

ST ANDREWS ABOVE AND BEYOND (4.2% ABV) PRICE: £2.40 PER 330ML CAN

Above & Beyond, from one of Scotland’s top breweries in the St Andrews Brewing Co, is the kind of beer that you can not only enjoy but feel good about drinking as it helps to raise money for the RNLI.

The golden ale is clean, fresh and slightly better, meaning its great for enjoying alongside seafood.

PAIR WITH... Cullen skink – the slightly bitter notes complement the smoked fish, while the Huell Melon hops pair well with the sweetness of the cream.

BROUGHTON OLD JOCK (6.7% ABV) PRICE: £2.65 PER 500ML BOTTLE

This traditional Scotch ale is produced in the Borders by the popular Broughton Brewery and is a great example of this rich and full-bodied style.

The intense caramel aromas and roasted maltiness are complemented by the slight bitterness of the hops to create a punchy beer that goes well with any meat dish.

PAIR WITH... Aberdeen Angus steak. The rich body of Old Jock combines with a perfect cut of Scotch beef to make a luxurious pairing.