Alliteration is a powerful drug. Beer and Broadway go together. So does Bourbon and Broadway (but that’s for another post). For now, we’re focusing on beer pairings with Broadway shows, which is the perfect way to level up your drinking by integrating it with the artistic power of history, heartbreak, and hilarity that Broadway.
Beer and Broadway? Yes, Please.
Broadway isn’t just for the jazz brunch crowd or your mom’s red-wine book club; beer and Broadway are a natural pairing. Broadway is a spectacle of storytelling, emotion, comedy, rage, and triumph—and that deserves a drink to match. Fortunately, there are an endless spectrum of beers to choose from. So, hit the Great White Way, or stream your favorite performance, or listen to your go-to show tunes and crack open a cold one (or three).
If you’re the type of guy who can tell a saison from a stout, or just like pounding a pilsner after a day of yard work, you can absolutely pair your love of hops with your appreciation for Hamilton, Hades Town, or Hairspray. Whether you’re new to musicals or a seasoned theatergoer who also crushes trivia night at your local craft beer bar, here’s your definitive guide to pairing beers with Broadway shows.
Hamilton
Beer Pairing: American Pale Ale
Strong, bold, and unapologetically American—this pairing is all about revolution. Hamilton’s relentless energy and swagger match the crisp bitterness of a solid APA. Think something like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale—a beer with enough bite to remind you that history isn’t just old guys in wigs. It’s gunfights, duels, and ambition with a side of hops.
The Phantom of the Opera
Beer Pairing: Belgian Tripel
Mysterious, brooding, and a little dramatic, just like Phantom. A Belgian Tripel is deceptively smooth, with hidden strength and a complexity that sneaks up on you—kind of like a masked composer hiding in your opera house. Try Chimay White or Tripel Karmeliet. Sip slowly and brood.
Chicago
Beer Pairing: Prohibition-Style Lager
Sultry, jazzy, and criminally catchy. Chicago calls for something throwback—like a pre-Prohibition-style lager or something brewed in a speakeasy-themed bar. Think Brooklyn Lager or a classic like Yuengling. This show’s about murder and fame, but it goes down smooth. Just don’t forget the jazz hands.
Les Misérables
Beer Pairing: English Porter
Dark. Heavy. Emotional. A robust English porter (like Fuller’s London Porter) captures the soul of Les Mis. You’re going to need a beer that can weather storms of pain, redemption, and barricade-based revolution. It’s malty, mournful, and made for drinking while contemplating injustice and bellowing “Who Am I?” into your living room.
Wicked
Beer Pairing: Green IPA
Green like Elphaba. Bitter like her childhood. An earthy, piney IPA (like Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA) matches the rebellious, misunderstood energy of this show. You’ll want something a little sharp, with strong notes, because Wicked isn’t some frothy fairy tale. It’s politics, power, and one hell of a gravity-defying ride.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Beer Pairing: Raspberry Sour
This one’s decadent and over-the-top—just like the show. Moulin Rouge is like drinking neon lights and drama. A raspberry sour offers that same sensory overload: sweet, tart, and a little intoxicating. Bonus points if it’s served in a can with absurdly dramatic label art. You’ll feel like you’re in Paris… or at least in a very fancy dive bar.
Or, if you’re not in the mood for an alcoholic beer, try this raspberry sour bev from Athletic.
Book of Mormon
Beer Pairing: Pilsner
Clean, classic, and deceptively innocent on the surface. A pilsner fits this show’s blend of cheerfulness and total inappropriateness. It’s bright and easy to drink but has more complexity than it lets on, kind of like a Mormon missionary belting obscenities. Try Pilsner Urquell or Narragansett.
Sweeney Todd
Beer Pairing: Blood Orange IPA
If you’re going to watch a barber go full slasher while singing in perfect harmony, you need something that hits hard but still has a bright kick. A blood orange IPA (like 21st Amendment’s Brew Free! Or Die) adds a splash of citrus to all that carnage. Bold, bitter, and vaguely unsettling—just like the show.
Dear Evan Hansen
Beer Pairing: Hazy Pale Ale
Sweet, emotional, and a little too much sometimes. A hazy pale ale gives you the softness and haze of Evan’s world—comforting, but with underlying complexity. It’s introspective. Try Allagash White or Lagunitas Hazy Wonder while you reflect on the complications of friendship, social media, and lying your way into popularity.
Jersey Boys
Beer Pairing: Italian-Style Pilsner
Sharp suits. Big hair. Bigger harmonies. You need a beer that brings some class while still slapping. An Italian-style pilsner (like Birrificio Italiano Tipopils) feels appropriate—clean and refreshing, with a bitter edge that balances all that crooning. Perfect for bopping along to “Sherry” while feeling like a made man.
Bonus Round: Stomp
Beer Pairing: Whatever’s in your fridge
Because if you’re watching a show built entirely around banging on trash cans and stomping your feet, just grab the nearest beer and enjoy the noise.
Final Thoughts
Broadway and beer might not seem like obvious partners, but both are rooted in craft, culture, and artistic passion. Whether you’re watching from the orchestra seats or your couch, the right brew can elevate the experience—making every high note hit harder, every plot twist land deeper, and every finale feel just a little more epic.
So next time you cue up a cast album or score tickets to a show, skip the wine and grab a pint. Broadway’s better with beer.