It's Mardi Gras! Here are 5 Local Louisiana Beers You Should Be Pairing With King Cake

The Beer Geeks Guide to Mardi Gras was getting to be the same places every year so I made it a page rather than something I release every year. I still wanted something to release today for the start of Mardi Gras season!

Here are 5 local Louisiana beers that pair well with king cake.

Note: Everyone's taste buds are different and food and beer pairing is subjective. Let me know your favorite local beer and king cake pairings in the comment section.

1. Urban South Carnival Time Sour Ale

Style: Sour Ale brewed with cinnamon and cream cheese

Why it works:

Urban South Brewery created this beer in collaboration with New Orleans’ Dong Phuong Bakery to capture the essence of cinnamon and cream cheese king cake right in the beer itself which makes it one of the most directly complementary Louisiana beers for king cake on this list. It's bright, tart sourness also helps cleanse the palate between sweet bites.

2. Parish Brewing Canebrake

Style: American Wheat Ale brewed with local sugar cane syrup

Why it works:

Canebrake’s light wheat body and subtle honey-spice notes from Louisiana cane sugar mirror king cake’s brioche sweetness without overpowering it. A wheat beer’s crispness also balances rich fillings like cream cheese or praline.

3. Bayou Teche LA-31 Bière Noire

Style: French Saison

Why it works:

This deep, dark brew carries roasty malt character with subtle coffee and chocolate notes, which can complement the cinnamon and sweet bread of king cake without completely overpowering it.

5. Great Raft Reasonably Corrupt (Black Lager / Schwarzbier)

Style: Black Lager (dark lager)

Why it works:

This darker lager has malty sweetness and roasted notes but a crisper body than many stouts/porters. That balance means it can stand up to the sweet spice in king cake without feeling overly heavy. Great if you are looking for a more sessionable dark beer for the parade route.

5. Gnarly Barley Korova Milk Porter

Style: Milk Porter (Baltic Porter)

Why it works:

Porters like this often bring chocolate, coffee, and toffee flavors with a hint of sweetness (from the milk sugar in this case), which mirrors king cake’s richer elements like praline or cream cheese fillings.

Hope you enjoy this list and have a great Mardi Gras! Let me know what you're drinking while munching on king cake!

Cheers!