With approximately 942.5 million servings of chicken wings consumed in 2019 alone, it is safe to say wings are an American sports bar staple. The overwhelming popularity of this savory snack can be attributed to chicken wings’ delicious crispy skin and finger food status, which makes them perfect for parties and bars. Another beloved aspect of chicken wings is the endless potential for flavors depending on the sauce or rub. When these flavor vessels are paired with the right beverages, it can enhance the experience even more. Believe it or not, there’s a science to pairing beverages with chicken wings to level up your meal.
Chicken Wing Consumption
In 2019, Americans consumed around 1 billion servings of chicken wings, cementing their status as a true staple of the American sports bar menu. Wings have been famous in the Buffalo area since the 1960s, with origin stories ranging from the small restaurant owner, John Young, to the ever-famous Anchor Bar. Then, when the Buffalo Bills advanced to the Super Bowl four years in a row, chicken wings became the official football foodand can be found at every sports bar. However, as chicken wings’ popularity continues to grow, many bars are searching for ways to elevate the menu item and stand out from competitors. One way sports bars are trying to provide fresh takes on chicken wings is with unique beverage pairings to enhance trendy wing flavors.
Under the Wing-Fluence
With Buffalo chicken wings come big, bold flavors, and finding the perfect beverage pairing can be intimidating and challenging. However, with a basic understanding of wine and beer flavors, putting together an incredible menu pairing wings and drinks is very simple. For example, contrasting flavors is a great way to pair beverages and wings. Consider offering them alongside sweet, acidic drinks if you’re serving classic buffalo wings. A pale ale, IPA, or white wine like Riesling is sweet enough to compliment buffalo wings’ subtle heat and has enough acidity or citrus flavor to cut through the sauce’s high-fat content.
Most importantly, don’t just stop at drink pairings when perfecting your game day menu. Consider serving additional appetizers and sides that compliment your chicken wings. Some great food pairings are French fries, mozzarella sticks, and tortilla chips with cheese dips, which also happen to be some of America’s favorite fried-food, game-time menu items.
Tools of the trade: Best Equipment for Cooking Wings
To keep up with emerging game-day food trends, bar menus rely on quick, easy-to-make food that requires little labor. Sports Bars looking to up their chicken wing game this football season need reliable frying equipment they can depend on. Pitco offers an array of specialty frying equipmentto prepare your bar for game day crowds. Our fryers are designed to be efficient and fast to increase profits and provide your bar with the best frying solutions.
Start with Pitco as you search for the perfect chicken wing fryer.
FAQs
Consider offering them alongside sweet, acidic drinks if you're serving classic buffalo wings. A pale ale, IPA, or white wine like Riesling is sweet enough to compliment buffalo wings' subtle heat and has enough acidity or citrus flavor to cut through the sauce's high-fat content.
What non alcoholic drink goes with chicken wings? ›
Watermelon agua fresca is a great drink to have with spicy chicken wings. The sweetness of the drink balances perfectly the spiciness of the wings. Pineapple ginger punch can be combined with Asian stir-fried noodles. Hibiscus iced tea can be paired with goat cheese and beet salad.
What kind of beer goes well with wings? ›
Recommended Pairing: Pale Ale
A pale ale offers the perfect balance to the heat of buffalo wings. Its hoppy notes and mild bitterness cut through the spiciness, while the malt backbone provides a pleasant contrast.
Does whiskey go with wings? ›
For sweet barbecue-sauced wings, the unsurprising best match is a full-bodied bourbon such as Knob Creek, lightening the weight of the spirit slightly and perhaps adding a cube of ice if there is some spice in the sauce. Where proper Buffalo wings are concerned, superior pairings vary according to the heat.
How many wings is good for two people? ›
Plan on about 7 boneless wings per person if served as a main dish, and about 3-4 boneless wings per person if served as an appetizer.
What are the rules for wing eating? ›
Contestants must not touch the wings before start of competition. Wings must be 90% eaten as determined by officials; otherwise, will be returned to plate, where you will be able to finish said wing or not, resulting in your ultimate score. The flap may be disregarded.
What should you drink with fried chicken? ›
Crisp dry whites like Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis and Albarin͂o match up well with traditional fried chicken. For those spicier styles, once again go with a touch of sweetness for balance. Off-dry Riesling will take care of lighter versions, Vouvray for somewhat heartier preparations.
What drink goes best with chicken wings? ›
Bright Cellars says that Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are perfect for pairing with Honey BBQ Wings, while another article (and I like this a lot better) says that a martini is the perfect drink with spicy buffalo wings. "Shaken, not stirred."
What beer goes with chicken? ›
Following the rule of having light colored beers with light colored meat, the best choice of craft beer to pair with roasted chicken would obviously be a lighter drink. Both Golden Lagers and Blondes would prove to be an excellent choice.
What is the best drink to have with jerk chicken? ›
Dragon Stout is a Jamaican beer that is perfect for pairing with our savory and flavorful dishes. This beer has a rich, dark color and a slightly sweet taste, which makes it an excellent choice to balance the heat of our spicy dishes. It also pairs well with our meat dishes, such as Jerk Chicken and Oxtail.
Beer: The spiciness of buffalo chicken dip calls for a simple, easy beer like a pilsner. Torres suggests a Pilsner Urquell which comes in a 16-ounce can—perfect for tailgating. “It's really well put together, with enough bitterness to cut through the cream cheese of your chicken dip.
