Discover the winning duo of burgers and beer to create the ultimate savory feast.

The epitome of the American cookout is a delightful and flavorful combination of burgers and beer.

Whether you’re enjoying an over-the-top, artisan burger, or a light American classic style burger, there is a beer that complements a burger’s beefy goodness to perfection. To make your life a lot easier, here’s the ultimate burger and beer pairing guide to making your dining experience worthwhile! 

Related: What is Restaurant Ambience and How is it Determined?

The Classic Burger

Embrace the essence of a classic American cookout paired with a refreshing, ice cold beer. 

At the heart of a classic burger is its rich and fatty beef patty accompanied by onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a slice of cheese, bringing the beloved burger to life with unparalleled flavor. The classic burger is simple, delicious, and will leave you wanting more. 

At the Hard Rock Cafe in Sacramento, try our version of the classic American burger, but with more cheese - The Big Cheeseburger. Slices of cheddar cheese melted on our fresh steak burger served with leaf lettuce, vine-ripened tomato, and red onion will have you ordering another one to go!

Pretty much any beer can pair well with a classic burger, yet a hop-heavy and citrusy beer like a Pale Ale, IPA, and a dry-hopped beer may be the perfect counterpart to the burger’s fatty nature. Pair a classic burger with some of these hoppy beer options:

• Knee Deep Breaking Bud West Coast IPA
• Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA
• Elysian Space Dust IPA

Switch Up Your Toppings

Delight in the iconic flavors of Hard Rock Cafe's Original Legendary Burger, featuring crispy bacon, melted Tillamook cheddar cheese, a crunchy onion ring, fresh lettuce, and tomato, and pair it perfectly with a refreshing low ABV beer.

With savory Applewood bacon and melted Tillamook® cheddar cheese, every bite is a symphony of flavors  when it comes to Hard Rock Cafe's Original Legendary® Burger, a true icon in the burger world.

A crispy onion ring adds a delightful crunch, while the freshness of leaf lettuce and vine-ripened tomato provides a burst of vibrancy. To elevate this burger to legendary status, it comes served with a side of their signature steak sauce.

However, the ultimate dining experience is achieved when you find the perfect beer to pair it with. Wash it all down with a lighter beer low in ABV percentage to let the bright and beefy flavors shine. Pair your tropical burger with some of these light summer beer options:

• Coors Light American Lager
• Farmer's 530 Unfiltered Wheat Beer
• Alaskan Amber Alt-Style Ale

Go Big or Go Home

 

There’s nothing like a mouthwatering burger topped with a dripping fried egg, perfectly complemented by a selection of flavor-packed beers to enhance the culinary experience.

The perfect time to bring out the most flavor-packed beer in your arsenal is when devouring a big, fully-loaded burger packed with over-the-top condiments for an explosive and flavorful treat! Bring out the barrel-aged stouts, tripels, and barleywines when faced with a burger topped with onion rings, BBQ sauce, mac ‘n’ cheese, and other delicious combinations. 

Typically the higher the ABV percentage, the more delectable the beer. Like we said, go big or go home by pairing a loaded burger with one of these equally flavor-loaded beers!

• Feather Falls California Haze IPA
• Elysian Space Dust IPA
• Golden Road Brewing Mango Cart Wheat Ale

Can't Believe It's Not Meat

 

Enjoy the guilt-free pleasure of a delicious burger made entirely from plants, like the Impossible™ Burger at the Hard Rock Cafe in Sacramento, and elevate the experience by pairing it with a fruity and slightly spicy wheat ale to perfectly complement the savory flavors.

Craving a burger but not the meat? Luckily for you, many meat alternatives allow you to enjoy an equally delicious burger! The possibilities are endless from a salmon, bean, or beat meat substitute. Divulge The Impossible™ Burger at the Hard Rock Cafe in Sacramento and savor a 100% plant-based vegan patty topped with cheddar cheese and a crispy onion ring, served with leaf lettuce and vine-ripened tomato.

Because of the wide range of flavors and textures, reach for a goes-with-everything wheat-based ale. A beer with fruity and slightly spicy notes will be an excellent pairing to keep your meal light and refreshing. Pair your vegan veggie burger with one of these wheat ales: