Raise a glass to a great burger

What's your tipple?

- by Matt Nixson

FOR ME, comfort food means a great gourmet burger, ideally with a slathering of cheese, some gherkins and perhaps a few slices of lettuce and tomato, often washed down with a beer or two.

As Andrew Birdsey, Coop Beer Buyer, explains: "A crisp pale ale is a natural match for burgers as the hoppy bitterness cuts through the richness of the meat, making every bite taste even juicier." The Coop's Munro Pale Ale, brewed in collaboration with Fyne Ales and reviewed below, is a good example. "It's bursting with bright citrus and tropical notes, and a clean, hoppy finish that makes this pairing completely moreish," adds Andrew.

But why stop at beer? Be it chicken, veggie or just plain old ground beef, there's no reason not to pair a nice glass of wine with your burger. After all, nothing beats a glass of bold malbec or pinot noir with your steak. The trick is to pair a wine that won't be overwhelmed by the flavours.