Toes in the sand and a nice cold beer in hand… Nothing says summer better than beach, brews, and barbeque. Whether you fancy the ultimate burger, grilled chicken, or smoked ribs on the grill, we’ve got the perfect beer and barbeque pairings to help you celebrate summer.

Burgers and BBQ: Lager goes with pretty much everything, depending on how you define lager. And everything. Certainly, most lagers, whether American or European style, are stellar matches for backyard grilling. Serve it up nicely chilled with almost any burger and sides. 

Brooklyn Lager yields itself to a wide variety of barbeque favorites.   This amber-gold lager presents a firm malt center, infused with a satisfying bitterness and floral hop aroma, resulting in a caramel malt finish.  Pair with your favorite burger.

Feeling creative? Grab a Shipyard Pugsley Smashed Blueberry (a cross between a porter and a Scotch ale) to pair with your favorite ribs recipe. You could probably match it to blueberry pie, if you’re inclined to serve beer with your dessert. The brewery describes it as “upfront, there are notes of coffee and chocolate beautifully accented by the aroma of blueberries.” It finishes with sweet fruit and dry hops.

Other recommendations: Rogue Arrogant Bastard or St. Bernardus ABT 12: either one can stand up to anything you put on the grill—steaks, burgers, ribs. Which means it probably isn’t going to be your first choice for grilled shrimp. Same goes for Cigar City Brewing’s Maduro, an award-winning brown ale with a moderate 5.5% ABV, and just 25 IBU.

*This article also appears in the Summer 2012 issue of Off Tap, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits craft beer publication.