Top 5 Beers for Your Next Barbecue

According to Stephen Beaumont, veteran drinks writer and author of five books on beer, nothing pairs better with grilled chicken, burgers, and chops than a good brew. I tend to agree. Here is Stephen's list of the top 5 beers to enjoy at your next barbecue. And don't forget to click on the recipe links to learn how to make some delicious barbecue foods that go great with your beer. Enjoy!

1. Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel - German lager and grilled pork are natural companions; neither overwhelms the flavor or taste of the other. Expect a faintly roasty, lightly sweet - but still crisp - character with hints of coffee and cooked caramel and an off-dry (slightly sweet) finish.
Best Meat Recipe Pairing: Grilled Pork Chops With Classic Barbecue Sauce
Best Meatless Recipe Pairing: Grilled Vegetable Sandwich


2. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier - Arguably the ultimate in barbecue brews (at least in Germany), this thirst-quenching lager is brewed from barley malt that has been smoked over a wood fire. Bold, malty, and unquestionably smoky, with a slight hint of sweetness and a bit of licorice lurking in the background, this is not lager for the timid, but it is splendid when paired with red meats cooked over charcoal.
Best Meat Recipe Pairing: Grilled Spice-Rubbed Skirt Steak
Best Meatless Recipe Pairing: Grilled Pizza Margherita

3. Pilsner Urquell - This Czech pilsner has a malty, faintly buttery flavor supported by a crisp, palate-cleansing bitterness, which makes it an ideal foil to spicy barbecue sauce, especially when it's slathered over a nondominating meat like chicken or pork. The dry, lingering hoppiness on the finish makes it especially refreshing and easy to drink more than one.
Best Meat Recipe Pairing: Grilled Chicken With Root Beer Barbecue Sauce
Best Meatless Recipe Pairing: Grilled Corn On The Cob With Chile And Lime

4. North Coast Red Seal Ale - Patriots take note: If you're going to be cooking classic American grilled foods, like burgers, it's only fitting that you add a classic, born-in-the-USA pale ale to the menu as well. North Coast Brew Pub opened its doors in 1988 in Fort Bragg, California, and was a pioneer in the craft-beer movement. The Red Seal ale has a fragrant, herbaceous aroma and a body that balances lightly fruity, caramel-y malt with spicy, bitter hops.
Best Meat Recipe Pairing: Chipotle Burgers
Best Meatless Recipe Pairing: Portobello-Black Bean Burgers With Corn Salsa

5. Left Hand Milk Stout - Believe it or not, the most versatile beer for the barbecue is stout, in all its roasty, smoky glory. This sweeter version of the style, fortified with lactic sugars for richness and body, is particularly food-friendly and has a natural roasted-malt character mellowed somewhat by a mildly fruity, coffee-ish sweetness.
Best Meat Recipe Pairing: Grilled Sausages, Peppers, And Onions On Rolls
Best Meatless Recipe Pairing: Grilled Mushroom Salad With Frisée And Hazelnuts