The current study was designed to explore the hedonic response of consumers to cheese and beer pairings
by actual tasting in a natural environment of consumption. Eighty regular beer and cheese consumers
hedonically rated sixteen pairs among four different styles of beer (Standard Lager, Hefeweizen,
Amber Bock, Vienna Lager) and four cheeses (Parmigiano-Reggiano, Gorgonzola, Mozzarella, Smoked
Provola). The consumers were asked to indicate whether the cheese or the beer flavour dominated each
pairing. The hedonic response varied significantly (p < 0.001) across combinations of cheese and beer
pairs: Parmigiano cheese and Standard Lager were significantly preferred over other cheeses and beers,
respectively. The hedonic liking of beer and cheese pairs was affected, in order of effect size, by beer
liking, cheese type, flavour dominance, beer type, and beer type cheese type interaction. Because the
pairing was largely affected by beer preference, expert panellists were asked to explore the sensory properties
of the beer with and without prior cheese consumption, using Parmigiano-Reggiano as a case study.
Prior Parmigiano consumption showed a positive effect on beer liking, by modulating the perceived
intensities of acidity, fruitiness, phenolic flavour, level of alcohol and carbonation, and sweetness. These
outcomes are useful for engineering the most enjoyable pairing and to avoid intolerable mismatches, thus
offering restaurateurs basic rules for aligning particular cheeses and beers in the marketplace.