Summer is here! And for many of us that means warm days, long nights, and being outside as much as possible. Cookouts are a staple of the summer season, and while hamburgers and steaks are a classic choice, why not switch things up a little and have a beer pairing outdoor feast? Choose a single dish, or go all out and create the entire menu! Most of these recipes are also very easy to prepare ahead for transport to a friend’s house as an impressive side dish.
Mendo Saison and Goat Cheese–a classic combination.
Goat Cheese Salad and Mendo’s Anniversary Saison
This strawberry and goat cheese salad looks like summer and tastes great, and the goat cheese offers an excellent chance to serve a Saison. Saisons—which are happily making their usual seasonal appearance—are tart and crisp, a perfect complement to the goat cheese’s own tangy notes. Mendocino’s Anniversary Ale Saison would go very well here, and would set the stage for an outstanding beer pairing dinner. I would also choose a white ale or maybe a good-quality cider.
Click here for recipe!
Pasta Primavera and Rock Point Session IPA
Pasta primavera, made of fresh, summer vegetables, is a great way to take advantage of the recently opened farmer’s markets. It’s also super easy to make, will satisfy vegetarians, and can even be made vegan if you put the cheese on the side! I recommend this recipe from Food Network, because it uses roasted vegetables that seem like they would be equally at home on grill. Mendo’s new Rock Point Session IPA is a good choice here, because the hoppy notes will balance well with the roasted vegetables. You could also try a quality pilsner or pale ale.
I like to make the pasta in advance, and then add the roasted vegetables when it’s time to serve.
The caramel notes of Red Tail bring out the smokey notes in foods.
Red Tail Chicken Skewers and Red Tail Ale
I adapted this recipe for chicken skewers from the Beeroness to use Red Tail Ale, and it was just excellent. These take a little tending—they have to be basted every few minutes—but it’s worth it. Marinate them at home and make the sauce in advance, then just heat it up a little to make it easier to spread. The sweet, smokiness goes really well with caramel notes of Red Tail Ale.
And if you’re looking for other beer-infused recipes, it’s hard to do better than the Beeroness.
Chocolate Lava Muffins and Black Hawk Stout
It’s hard to go wrong with chocolate lava! This recipe is actually very easy, and the individual muffin-cakes are easy to serve. The original recipe suggests serving them over ice cream, and while that is optional, I definitely recommend it! A dark, roasty beer like Black Hawk Stout is an excelling pairing because it complements the chocolate while contrasting nicely with the vanilla. However, this is one recipe the is best served fresh and warm, so plan ahead!
Click here for Alton Brown’s recipe.
What’s on your plate?
What are your favorite cookout-friendly and beer-pairing dishes? Get us cooking in the comments below!