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Overview
There comes a time every year in Brisbane when the temperature dips below a certain level. Cue the freak-outs about how cold it is and mad scrambles for knitted goods. Our winter is a relatively short, but a justifiably intense period, during which time we invariably get a sniffle. But, while Queenslanders may never experience the arctic blasts of our southern neighbours, we do have to contend with a moderate chill cranking in July and August.
One justifiably popular way of combating the cold is to head to the nearest purveyor of fine noodles soups. Chinese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Japanese – it don't matter what culture it comes from, as long as it's hot and noodle-y. In addition to warming you up from the inside out, the humble noodle soup has many benefits — namely curing maladies such as colds and hangovers — and it's got a rightful place in everyone's heart.
For those in the know, the best way to supercharge the flavour of any noodle soup experience is to enjoy it with a beer, adding a new layer of complexity to your meal. Fresh, crisp beers can cut through heavier, buttery dishes and keep your palate nice and fresh. Big, hoppy beers help keep you on game for anything super spicy (hello chilli fans). To pay homage to the perfect marriage of beer and soupy noodles, and bring this beautiful match to the forefront of your winter plans, we've paired each Brisbane spot with a perfect beer. Once you've picked one (or, hell, try them all), rug up and head out in search of your own noodle soup + beer combo.
FOR RAMEN: HAI HAI RAMEN
The guys at Hai Hai are doing some pretty incredible things with noodles and soup. With meaty options including a pork bone broth or a chicken and dashi broth (both $15) and a super tasty vego offering of kelp and shiitake ($16), you will definitely find a concoction to suit your mood. Order up, grab a lager to match your bowl, and then take a seat indoors or pull up a seat outside under the heaters. Perfection.
Pair with an IPL (India pale lager) — the bitterness of the hops cuts through the rich broth while the crispness of the lager acts as a palate cleanser.
mej.b via Instagram
FOR LAKSA: QUAN THANH
Coconut. Chilli. Coriander. Noodles. Beer. You. ARE YOU EXCITED YET? It doesn't matter if you are sick, cold, tired, happy, sad or hungry — Quan Thanh is your spot. This Hardgrave Road stalwart has been serving up the noodles and treats for yonks, but that doesn't mean you should drag your heels. Grab a bottle of your favourite IPA from the bottle shop next door, order your laksa and dig in to feel the soothing soupy goodness make everything that is wrong in your world right again — well, at least for as long as the bowl lasts.
Pair with an India Pale Ale like a Little Creatures IPA, for a citrusy kick to your laska.
FOR PHO: TRANG
When the cold is unbearable, it's Trang and Trang alone who can soothe a weary soul. Head directly to their West End store and order the beef noodle soup. Whether you plump for rare beef ($11.95) or any of the other varieties including fatty brisket or beef balls ($12.95) you know you're onto a good thing as soon as they bring over the Vietnamese mint and bean shoots to pop in there. While you're waiting for your food, head into the bottle shop up the street and grab a pale ale style beer to accompany your food. When they place that steaming bowl chock-full of delights down in front of you, try not to weep tears of joy. The tears of pain will come when you enthusiastically slurp up a noodle and it whips around sending chilli into your eye.
Pair with a sessionable pale ale like James Squire 150 Lashes Pale Ale, which can stand up against this rich broth with its malted wheat lending refreshing character and its fruity nose giving off hints of passionfruit, grapefruit and citrus.
FOR RAMEN: TARO'S
A bit of a Brisbane institution, Taro's holds a rightful place among the best ramen joints in town. This licensed spot is perfect for a date, or for a late lunch with mates. Their soups are to die for and their soft-boiled eggs are nothing short of incredible — something magical is going on in this kitchen. For those who like to supercharge their ramen, there are lots of toppings to choose from for your ramen, but we recommend sticking with the famed tonkotsu ramen, and pair it with a pilsner for the perfect mouth party.
Get takeaway and pair this soup with a crisp bitter pilsner like Little Creatures Original Pilsner at home. It's hoppier and more bitter than other southern German pilsners, but the clean, smooth finish leaves your palate ready for the next spoonful.
FOR PHO: RED LOTUS
For an un-pho-gettable time in either Annerley or Fortitude Valley you need to hotfoot it to Red Lotus. Pair one of their soul-soothing soups and grab an icy cold lager to wash it down. For a real flavour hit you need to make sure that you pair their amazing, super melty slow-cooked beef brisket broth ($18) with plenty of chilli for a guaranteed way to stay warm this winter.
Pair with a smooth, subtle lager for a crisp, dry accompaniment to your hearty, beefy broth.
wandering_lisa via Instagram
FOR LAKSA: MALAYSIA MAKANAN
Suburban eateries are often the best. Case in point: Makanan. This Malaysian treat has been delighting Calamvale locals and dedicated followers for ages. The go-to dish here is their chicken curry laksa noodle soup ($12.90) — and if you pair it with a couple of cheeky pilsner (it's a BYO spot), you'll be in heaven. Delights!
Pair with a golden ale — this easy drinking beer has a fantastic sweet biscuit and slight citrus character that lightens up the dish. Try a James Squire Chancer Golden Ale — the tropical fruit aroma, restrained bitterness and dry finish will go damn well with the curry.
FOR PHO: LITTLE SAIGON
Tucked away down a laneway, this city lunchtime favourite is perfect for when your midweek home-made sangas just don't cut the mustard. Just make sure you don't get too wild with the noodles and make a mess of yourself on your lunch break. Or do — who honestly cares when the food's this good? Their house speciality is undeniably the pho ($14.90), and is perfect for these chilly winter days. Go on, grab your colleagues and do some good old-fashioned bonding over beef broth. Mmm.
BYO and pair with a light, refreshing Asian-style lager like Kirin sporting a full-bodied palate but subtly sweet flavour that won't mask the delicate, citrusy broth. It's all down to the special first press method.
Patricia C. Ortiz via Instagram
FOR UDON: KU-O JAPANESE RESTAURANT
This is a Japanese Sunnybank classic that will have you lining up again for more. Choose from their range including beef ($11.90) or katsu udon ($14.90) or for when 'udon' know what to order, just ask them to recommend something delicious. Their helpful staff will be able to help you out, and cut a swathe through the menu to land you in udon haven.
Pair with a full-bodied lager, especially if you're ordering a seafood udon — the balance of fruitiness and bitterness will bring out those big flavours.
stephen_ao via Instagram
FOR LAKSA: LAKSA HUT
When you've finished a hard day hitting the shops in Indooroopilly there's really only one place to head to for a post-spend refresh. This inner-west Brisbane local's spot has some of the best laksa ($12.50-14.50) going around. It's BYO friendly too, which means you can bring along your own tasty IPAs and enjoy to your heart's content.
Pair with an IPA and let those lingering caramels and hints of aniseed amp up that laska.
FOR WONTON SOUP: 2002 CYBER CITY
For what is undeniably one of the oddest and most enduring places in the Valley, you need to head here to share a longneck and a spot of food with your mates. Bring a group and feast from a shared pot of wonton soup ($33.40). Now, while the food is undeniably great — you're really coming here because this place is just plain awesome. Enjoy the cityscapes of Hong Kong plastering the walls, marvel at the sheer amount of space in this spot and then stay for a game of pool or a spot of karaoke post-soup.
Pair with a sessionable pale ale to pair those citrusy notes with those hearty wontons.
For more information on matching different styles of beer, and how particular foods can enhance the range of flavours of a well-brewed beer, visit www.beerthebeautifultruth.com.