A typical Saturday here in Garden City, Michigan means that the charcoal grill is hot, the meat is marinating, and the beer is cold. The mancave is all a buzz with friends who have stopped by to enjoy the game, eat some great food and enjoy a wide assortment of cold beers.
Wine tasters, or sommeliers, are employed by restaurants and trained to pair a fine wine with your specific meal. They take into consideration red meat versus fish or entrees versus desserts and then match the perfect accompaniment in liquid form. A beer sommelier has the same basic task yet substitutes those grape stomping flavors with the tastes from brewed barley and hops. For most backyard barbecue purposes, the task of beer pairing is placed primarily on the shoulders of the host.
Having nearly wrecked taste buds on burnt ends over the years, the intricate flavors of fine wines are sure to get lost in the wonderful simplicity of barbecue. Beer, on the other hand, usually goes hand-in-hand with a more casual dining experience. After hitting a five star restaurant and paying a pretty penny for a gastronomical feast, you probably won't be washing it down with a foamy draft. However, now that the grill is ready, your favorite marinated or dry rubbed meat can begin it's fateful journey to your belly.
Lagers
- Lagers match well with white meats like pork, seafood and chicken. Try grilling your favorite recipe for a lean pork tenderloin. Make sure to sidle up this entrée with roasted red potatoes in rosemary and olive oil. A pile of firecracker green beans and a sweet roll can be paired perfectly with a tall glass of Samuel Adams® Oktoberfest.
- Cuisines from around the world can be paired with the choice of a fine lager. Negra Modelo is a dark Mexican beer great for cooking. This recipe of Chicken and Fiesta Ensalada utilizes the deep rich flavors of the beer to marinate the chicken prior to grilling. It also goes well in a tall cold glass to wash down this wonderful dish, too.
- Another nice thing about lagers is that they match well with very spicy foods. Phuket Island Lager is a Thai beer that may be hard to find but is best paired with the spicy cuisine of that island. Try marinating some large prawns in a sauce of lime juice, coconut milk, brown sugar, onions, coriander and chili pepper flakes. Skewer the prawns and then grill till pink and juicy. Take care to not over cook or the will get tough and rubbery. Serve these with some additional skewers of grilled broccoli crowns, a large helping of brown buttered rice and some lime wedges.
Ales
- Red meats and game dinners pair nicely with fruity ales. An excellent entrée would include marinating then grilling some lean venison chops. Serve these with a heaping of lumpy, garlic, ranch, mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon. Pour yourself a tall glass of Michigan’s own MBC Mackinac Pale Ale and wind down the evening with some classic Bob Seger.
- For another wild game meal, have a try at Spicy Grilled Squab. On the side, create a tin foil packet filled with thick slices of zucchini, olive oil, oregano, thyme, chopped garlic, salt and pepper. Seal the packet and toss on the grill about 20 minutes before the squabs are finished. A local ice cold bottle of Atwater Michigan Double Down Imperial Pale Ale from right here in Detroit will definitely do your palette right.
- A large pot of Beef Stew is a wonderful recipe which incorporates a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale. With winters here in Michigan bringing 0ºF temperatures, this pot of hearty stew can warm and comfort anyone, even on the coldest of days. A tall mug filled with this beer next to a large bowl of this stew will surely satisfy the soul and warm the toes.
Porters
- Slow and low cooking requires a beer with a little more. Stouts and porters are recommended in these cases. Follow your recipe for a pulled pork shoulder and include a nice Porter from the Founders Brewing Company in your spritz bottle. This beer is brewed just west of here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With its silky black color and creamy tan head, this beer boasts thatits a lover and not a fighter. Pull the pork, pile it high, cover in sauce and chase with a frosted mug of this wonderful porter.
- Other readily available options from your local beer store could include Guinness, Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, and Murphy’s Irish Stout. Look in your state for local breweries and try some of their brews. What could it hurt? You keep money in your state, help a local business and get beer to boot.
Once again, be inspired. Don’t be afraid to try and compliment your favorite dishes with different types and flavors of beers. Don’t just rely on that overproduced, national brand to follow up all the hard work you put into a recipe. Think about the dish, use your taste buds and do your homework. A fine recipe should never be paired with a less than average beer.
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em and don’t forget your bib.
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