Shellfish
Simply-prepared shellfish such as fresh-cracked crab and steamed clams are great with an aromatic, lighter brew like Hefeweizen. An historic pairing for oysters is found in porters and stouts - the salty richness of the oyster finds a counterpart in the deep, roasty taste of either brew. Stouts even can balance (believe it or not) the fuller flavors of a spicy crab-boil or a boiled lobster.

Fish
The soft, clean flavors of American wheat beers - particularly unfiltered versions such as Pyramid Hefeweizen - go especially well with almost all kinds of fish, perhaps even better with something as simple as sushi. Hop-tangy golden ales (Pyramid IPA or Coastline Pilsner for example) provide a pleasantly zesty, but light, contrast to grilled fish.

Salads
For a fresh green salad, wheats can't be beat! Try a smooth unfiltered wheat brew such as Pyramid Hefeweizen. If there's a hint of fruit in the salad, adventurous eaters may want to substitute fruit-wheats such as Pyramid Apricot Ale.

Red Meats
Thanks to its British inspiration, Pyramid Pale Ale is perfect with lamb, beef roasts, and steaks. For a heartier pairing, consider a porter or stout. (Don't forget that the famous "porterhouse" steak gets its name from being served at taverns which poured porter). If a rich, thick stew is at hand, again consider a malty brown ale: although sweeter than Pale Ale, it retains the latter's quaffability. Most "game" meats like venison and rabbit, because of their stronger flavors, demand a more richly-flavored brew. What better than the satisfying Pyramid Snow Cap Ale?

Poultry
You almost always will be able to find a match for chicken amongst lager beers. The best brews for the bird depend on how it is prepared: spicy chicken wings demand a more quenching brew like Pyramid Coastline Pilsner. Richer-tasting birds such as turkey, goose, or duck, on the other hand, support a moderately bitter (and fruity) ale such as Pyramid Pale Ale.

Pizza and Pasta
These "Alpine" foods find the best complement in the top beers of their homeland: the spicy-sweet amber lagers today considered to be in the "Vienna" style. This match is particularly sacrosanct when tomatoes enter the picture, as the red fruit's sweet acidity can make most other brews taste too one-dimensional.

Barbecue
Barbecue is nearly at its best, we think, when served with hoppy pale ales or India pale ales. The tangy, zesty character of these brews - like Pyramid India Pale Ale, which is loaded with America's Tomahawk hops - makes them ideal for washing down whatever comes off the grill. Of course, the top beer for the job really depends on the item (beef, pork, poultry, etc.) being barbecued: once you've decided that, consider the other suggested pairings above. Going for German sausages on the grill? Pair them with Pyramid Curve Ball Kölsch - a great summer match.

Hot 'n' Spicy
There are two basic schools of thought: extinguish the fire or fan the flames. For the former, almost any kind of cold brew fills the basic function. Clean-tasting golden ales or American wheat beers (Pyramid Hefeweizen) can do this job well. More adventurous eaters should look to balance their spice with an equal dose of hop. An extra-hoppy Pyramid IPA, can match a dish's heat while also providing satisfying flavors of their own. Overall, remember this: any beer will quench a chili's fire quicker than plain water because capsicine (the substance that gives peppers their heat) is more soluble in alcohol.

Dessert/After Dinner
As a general rule, look to sweeter brews when serving dessert. Fruit beers such as Pyramid Apricot Ale provide fun complements to pies and pastries with similar flavors. But for the most interesting way to end a meal, try pairing rich chocolatey desserts with beers that echo this flavor - darkly-malty brews. Try Pyramid Snow Cap Ale. Its mellow chocolate-malt flavors complement the dessert, while its natural heft insures that the meal closes on an enjoyably relaxed note!