‘The Menu’ and Culinary Beers Made with Food in Mind

‘The Menu’ is a movie that both pays homage to and skewers foodie culture, and it’s well worth watching. Let’s pair it with culinary beers!

The Movie: Comedy-Horror / 2022 / Gary-Sanchez Productions – Searchlight Pictures

The Beers: These craft beers were made with food in mind, whether meant for meal pairings or with actual food ingredients. It’s culinary brewing!

If you’ve worked in the food and beverage industry (specifically restaurants, and more specifically, fine dining restaurants), there’s a good chance you’ll love The Menu. If you haven’t, there’s still a good chance you’re going to enjoy this one.

In fact, the only people who aren’t likely to get any sort of kick out of this extremely dark comedy are the very people it is most unkind to: the privileged narcissists who view restaurant staff as beneath them.

Warning, there are some mild spoilers ahead. If you’d rather just get some beer pairings before you watch the movie, scroll on down past the next section. No hard feelings there — this is one of those movies that’s even more enjoyable when you don’t know exactly what to expect.

The Menu is a revenge story wrapped in upscale dining

We open on a boat with Tyler and Margot (Nicholas Hoult and Anya Taylor-Joy), an Instagram-snapping foodie and his date who are being taken to an ultra-exclusive, high-end dining experience at a secluded restaurant on its own private island. They are among a small group of guests for the evening that we quickly learn have their own individual subplots going on, united by the fact that they’re all a bunch of wealthy, privileged elitists.

With the exception of Tyler who is perhaps too obsessive over food and fancy meals and Margot who was a last-minute replacement date, the guests consist of people who routinely view dining staff as subservients, whether they realize it or not. Even the food critic of the group seems to lack appreciation for the true amount of knowledge and effort that goes into crafting an incredible dish.

This is why The Menu is really a revenge story, above all else.

World-renowned chef (Ralph Fiennes) has had enough with years of serving the most unappreciative and undeserving tier of customers, and it’s sapped out all of the joy and passion he once had for the culinary arts. So, he and his dedicated staff work to deliver delicate and thoughtful food courses their patrons will never forget. They do make it clear that the whole meal is meant to be their last.

True to its name, The Menu revolves around a heavily detailed dinner menu that goes from amuse bouche all the way through dessert. And each course is as morbidly fascinating as the plot. Who knew fine dining could be served up so vengefully, and deadly?

It’s not perfect, but it’s a wild ride worth savoring. Now, on to the beers you should pair with it.

What is a culinary beer?

In appreciation of the thought-out courses we see in the movie, culinary beers make for the ideal beverage while watching The Menu. While not a specific beer style, a “culinary beer” is technically any type of beer made with food in mind or with notable food ingredients (not usually found in beer, anyway).

In recent years, however, unusual ingredients like fruit, spices and even pastries have become common. Most craft breweries now seem to have at least one menu item that fits the traditional description of a “culinary beer.” So, the exact definition has evolved to be a bit stricter.

Modern culinary brews stand apart as being crafted more carefully. They’re often made specifically to pair alongside dishes, occasionally with the influence of a chef. High-quality ingredients are a must. Unlike general “food-brewed” beers, culinary beers are purposeful, not gimmicky (remember that Peeps beer, anyone?).

5 culinary beer pairings for The Menu

You could always sip along with wine, as seen in the movie. But if you’re looking for creativity and exploration, check out these foodie brews:

Aperitif Pilsner – Moody Tongue Brewing

Chicago’s Moody Tongue Brewing revolves around culinary beer, using a “chef’s mindset” to highlight certain flavors and aromatics. They actually have two Michelin stars, and they’re the first brewery in the world to achieve this.

Aperitif Pilsner is a wonderful introduction to Moody Tongue’s lineup. It’s a 5% ABV pils, which seems simple enough. But inhale deeply, and you’ll get aromas of a croissant. Let it sit on the tongue for even more impressive flavors of a French baguette.

Caramelized Chocolate Churro Porter – Moody Tongue Brewing

Since Moody Tongue’s entire focus is on culinary brewing, it’d be a shame to include only one of their beers on this list. This 7% ABV Baltic Porter’s a real treat, with specialty malts bringing out rich notes of Madagascar vanilla, Oaxacan chocolate and Mexican cinnamon.

According to Moody Tongue’s website, the brewers recommend pairing this beer with bleu cheese, bourbon bread pudding or caramel flan. That’s in addition to the movie, of course.

Pink Guava Basil Saison – Perihelion Brewing

Perihelion flies under the radar in Seattle due to its small size and local neighborhood focus, but these guys are the real deal with both beer and food. Co-owners Les McAuliffe and Karin Paulsen (head brewer and head chef, respectively) work closely together, and the results are unique ingredients in beer and delicious food to match.

If you’re in the area, stop by and grab a bottle of Pink Guava Basil Saison (6.7% ABV) or one of their other tasty culinary creations for your beer and movie pairing.

Meat & Potatoes Stout – Lord Hobo Brewing

As Lord Hobo Brewing puts it, “no meat or potatoes were harmed in the brewing of this beer.” However, the reason this 7.5% Stout fits the culinary beer scope is because these Massachusetts brewers crafted it specifically with a dish of meat and potatoes in mind.

For those looking to eat dinner while watching The Menu, this one’s your pick. Brimming with robust flavors of dark chocolate, coffee, and just a hint of citrus rind, this well-crafted Stout goes down easily alongside a hearty meal.

Michelob Ultra Infusions Lime & Prickly Pear Cactus – Anheuser-Busch

Yes, it’s not craft beer. And yes, it’s a flavored-up Michelob Ultra. But just as The Menu challenges its endangered patrons’ preconceived notions of what dining out should be, this beer is an opportunity to push personal boundaries.

Brewed with USDA certified organic ingredients (actual lime and prickly pear cactus), this 4% brew is surprisingly delightful. It’s light and refreshing instead of heavy and sweet like a lot of Fruit Beers. The brewers even have some simple food suggestions: chicken or fish.

Where can I watch The Menu?

After a little over a month in theaters-only, The Menu started streaming on HBO Max in January. As of February 2023, it’s also available on Prime Video, Apple TV, Spectrum TV and Redbox.