Summer is here and that means that grilling season is too. This year, if you’re looking to try something a little more interesting, you may want to switch it up from the normal burgers and dogs. Experimenting with different ingredients can really spice things up and many of these can be found right in your fridge. Believe it or not, beer isn’t just for drinking and can be the secret ingredient to success. It can be used to add flavor and moisture to some of your favorite grilled recipes. The hops in beer can give food a slightly bitter flavor, whereas the malt can add a subtle sweetness.

The first and most common question when learning to cook with beer is deciding what kind to use? There are a million different types of beer and it can be overwhelming to choose just one to add to a dish. The basic rule of thumb here is to choose a beer that you would like to drink. There is no point in adding something that you do not like in the first place to a recipe. It is also recommended to start with a lighter beer such as a lager. This will ease you into the flavor that beer imparts into a recipe. The more you experiment, the more you will learn what you like. This will help you decide on how to get more creative with different brews.

Below are some tips to help you step up your grilling game this summer while incorporating your favorite beers.

Marinade

One of the simplest ways to start cooking with beer is to add it to a marinade. This could be used to marinate anything from beef to grilled vegetables. The beer acts as a tenderizer to the meat to give you a juicier final product. When marinating vegetables, consider using a beer that is more on the hoppy side such as an IPA or pale ale. The bitterness of the hops in these beers will pair nicely with the sweetness of the grilled vegetables.

Soak Your Wood Chips

You don’t necessarily need a smoker to add the flavor of smoke to your food! Many grills these days have an option to add a small smoker box that you fill with wood chips. You can even make your own smoker box out of aluminum foil. A clever way to incorporate beer into your smoker box is to soak your wood chips in it. This does two things, it adds moisture to the chips so that they smoke rather and just burn up, and it also adds flavor and moisture to your food. When soaking wood chips in beer, consider using a fruity and hoppy craft beer for the best results.

Make a Glaze or Sauce

Similar to a marinade, a glaze or sauce using beer is a fun way to add a kick of flavor to your favorite meat or vegetables. A good rule of thumb here is to substitute any type of liquid in a recipe with beer. If your recipe calls for a cup of chicken stock, try adding half a cup of beer and stock instead. It is better to start with a little at first to see how much you like it before substituting it for the entire amount of liquid. This is also a fun way to experiment with different beers and the flavor they give to a sauce.

Beer Can Chicken

You can’t write an article about grilling with beer without including a section on beer can chicken. This is the tried and true method of cooking a whole chicken that everybody loves. The technique here is simple. Use your favorite rub on a whole chicken, and then put half a can of light beer (can and all) into the cavity of the chicken before grilling. The beer keeps the chicken super moist and delicious while giving it a subtle flavor. You can even incorporate the tips above to add maximum beer flavor to your chicken. If you were to know only one recipe on the grill, this should be it.

Drink It!

And last but certainly not least, you are not truly grilling with beer unless you are drinking it too. There are very few combinations as perfect as some delicious grilled food and a couple of ice cold beers on a hot summer day. Remember to always drink responsibly, and happy grilling.