National Hot Dog Day Pairing Beverages: A Go-To Guide

Today is national hot dog day. And why wouldn’t there be such a holiday for such a classic, naturalized, American product. The great thing about hot dogs is that it is easy during this time of year to celebrate the product, whether at a ballpark, on a picnic, in the backyard, or at the dinner table.

But which beverages are you to pair with these dogs? Below is a quick guide to get you on your way to hot dog pairing perfection.

Plain Jane Dog

If you are going plain with no toppings or condiments, a Pinot Grigio such as the Fossa Mala 2012 Pinot Grigio, will make a wonderful pairing. This wine is on the mild side, displaying notes of citrus, lemon and a touch of acidity – a combination which complements a plain hot dog well so as not to overwhelm it too much.

A blonde ale, such as Mission Blonde will also make an excellent pairing. The crisp, dry nature of this beer, paired with just a touch of hop bitterness, will make for a fine partner for a no-topping dog.

Dog With Mustard

Try a rose if you are going with mustard only. These wines, such as Tolosa 2014 Rose of Pinot Noir, work wonderfully with sharp, spicy food, countering with a wave of acidity and fruit-forward flavor. This makes a rose the perfect partner for a mustard-topped hot dog.

For the beer route, a grapefruit radler, such as Parallel 49 Tricycle will work brilliantly with a mustard-topped hot dog. The citrus flavor in this beer hybrid offers the perfect balance to the sharp, spicy mustard.

Pile It On

For those of you that like to load on the toppings, try a Riesling, such as Rancho Sisquoc 2013 Riesling. Wines such as these offer bright fruit flavor with a solid dose of sweetness, which pair wonderfully with the array of toppings that one might pile on a hot dog. The sweet fruitiness offers a refreshing balance to the intense mustard, relish, sauerkraut, ketchup, and any other topping you can fit on that dog.

Speaking of California, a West Coast Pale Ale, such as Ballast Point Grunion make for a fine pairing with a loaded dog. A huge wave of citrus-forward hop notes and a dry, crisp nature characterize these pale ales, which makes for a perfect complement for the big flavor coming from this hot dog.