4th of July Food and Beer Pairings to Perfect Your Backyard BBQ

Happy 4th of July! Independence Day is here and that means firing up the grill, filling the cooler with delicious beers, and enjoying some fun beer and food combos that you can make during your BBQ. Heck, you’re already going to eat a lot of these foods, why not try pairing them with beers that will make the experience even better!

It’s important to remember that lagers and blonds aren’t just about a few simple flavors: beer can have almost anything, from chocolate to tropical fruits to lemonade and more! If you’re curious to see if a beer and food pairing will work, give it a try!

Here’s an illustrated guide to pairing beers with some of your favorite garden foods.

Hot Dog and Munich Helles

Since you can add a myriad of toppings to a hot dog like mustard, ketchup, relish, or onions, choose a simple, no-frills beer that won’t interfere with the flavors of the lively hot dog. Munich Helles is a southern German lager that isn’t as dry or hoppy as a German pilsner, but is still very refreshing. Helles (“hell” is German for “light”) is a great summer beer and definitely hits the spot when you want a beer that tastes like… beer!

Munich beers to discover: Jack’s Abby House Lager, Dovetail Helles, pFriem Family Brewers Helles.

Hamburger and Double IPA

A burger is a blank canvas for beer pairings, but I like something with a higher alcohol content and strong flavors that can stand up to the grease of a juicy burger. A double IPA with over 8% ABV is a great pairing for this dish. The bitterness works with the intensity while the fruity hop character contrasts with the saltiness.

Double IPAs to discover: Russian River Pliny the Elder, Dogfish Head 90 Minute, Victory Dirt Wolf

Ribs and American Porter

Brown beers are perfect during the summer heat (honestly!) and they pair really well with ribs. The sweet barbecue sauce and roasted notes of an American brown ale pair well, while the carbonation of the beer helps cleanse your palate after each bite of meat. Brown beers are delicious with most grilled meats, including kebabs, burgers, and steaks.

American Porters to Watch: Great Lakes’ Edmund Fitzgerald, Deschutes’ Black Butte Porter

Rocket Pop and Berliner Weisse

A water ice with beer? Of course! Berliner weisse is a German sour beer and is great for outdoor picnics because it has high carbonation, a tangy flavor, and a lower ABV. Put a water ice in a glass of Berliner weisse to add the flavors of the ice directly into the beer. Some breweries have even started brewing rocket-flavored sour beers!

Berliner Weiss to discover: Creature Comforts Athena, Off Color Yuzu Fierce.

Vanilla Ice Cream and Hazy IPA

Beer and food don’t just pair well together, they can sometimes create a whole new dish. I love vanilla ice cream paired with the famous hazy IPA because eating them together essentially creates a grown-up version of a creamsicle. Give it a try!

Beers to discover: Counter Weight Headway, Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing, Samuel Adams Wicked Hazy

We wish you a wonderful summer of beer and food pairings. Enjoy the weather, fireworks and food responsibly and be sure to surround yourself with the people you care about the most. Cheers!

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