Paired with responsibility: Non-alcoholic beers are less liked when tasted alone but perform just as well as alcoholic beers in food pairing

Alcohol consumption is a burden to public health but little is known about the sensory performance of non-alcoholic drinks in the context of food and beverage pairings. This study investigated consumer liking and perception of taste balance of three beers (a pilsner, a wheat beer, and an IPA) in their alcoholic (AL) and non-alcoholic (NA) versions. All six beers were evaluated both alone and paired with skagenröra, a traditional Swedish shrimp salad. The results show that while the NA versions of the three beers were less liked when tasted alone, there was no significant difference in how they performed when paired with food, highlighting the potential of NA beers to promote healthier and more inclusive dining experiences. They also revealed a significant effect of gender in the liking of the pairing, with female participants liking the combinations less than male participants, although there was no gender difference in liking when the beers tasted alone. These findings contribute to the scientific literature on food pairing and have practical implications for the gastronomic and brewing industries, particularly for sommeliers interested in healthier pairing experiences.