There is a distinct magic to summer afternoons in Minnesota. The patio umbrella is up, the charcoal is white-hot, and the aroma of searing proteins fills the air. But as any seasoned backyard chef knows, a flawless barbecue requires the ultimate sidekick: a perfectly paired, ice-cold beer.
Just like pairing wine with a fine dinner, matching the right beer profile with your grill menu can elevate your entire meal. The right brew cuts through rich fats, complements sweet sauces, and tames spicy rubs.
At G-Will Liquors, we want to help you master your summer hosting duties. Here is our expert guide to the best beers for grilling season, featuring classic styles and incredible local Minnesota craft brews.
1. Crisp Lagers and Pilsners: The All-Around MVPs
When the sun is beating down and you are standing over a hot grate, you want something light, refreshing, and clean. Lagers and Pilsners are the ultimate crowd-pleasers because they cleanse the palate without overwhelming your taste buds.
- The Flavor Profile: Crisp, bright, and low in bitterness, with a subtle malt sweetness and a clean finish.
- Best Food Pairings: Classic stadium brats, hot dogs, light poultry, and grilled white fish.
- What to Grab: Mexican lagers (like Corona or Modelo) served with a lime wedge are timeless. If you want to keep it local, grab a pack of Bauhaus Schwandtoberfest or a classic regional lager.
2. Pale Ales and IPAs: The Match for Rich, Fatty Meats
If your grilling menu features heavy smoke, rich fats, or thick cuts of beef, you need a beer with enough backbone to stand up to those intense flavors. The bitterness from hops acts as a knife, slicing right through heavy grease and refreshing your palate for the next bite.
- The Flavor Profile: Bold, hoppy, and bitter, often featuring notes of citrus, pine, resin, or tropical fruits.
- Best Food Pairings: Juicy ribeye steaks, grilled burgers with cheddar, smoked brisket, and rich pulled pork.
- What to Grab: Look for balanced IPAs that won’t totally torch your tongue. Surly Furious is a legendary Minnesota staple that stands up perfectly to bold barbecue. For a slightly softer, fruitier profile, try Surly Logic Bomb or a hazy juicy pale ale.
3. Shandies and Fruit Beers: Perfect for Sweet BBQ Sauces
3. Shandies and Fruit Beers: Perfect for Sweet BBQ SaucesIf your grilling style leans heavily into sweet, tangy, and caramelized barbecue sauces, look for a beverage that mirrors those fruity notes.
- The Flavor Profile: Light, crisp wheat or blonde ale bases blended with real fruit juices like lemon, grapefruit, or raspberry.
- Best Food Pairings: BBQ glazed chicken breasts, sticky ribs, grilled pineapple, and summer side salads.
- What to Grab: You can never go wrong with a classic Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy. For an excellent local craft option, check out fruit-forward blondes or sours from local favorites like Castle Danger Brewing or Inbound BrewCo.
4. Amber Ales and Porters: The Complement to Char and Smoke
When you sear a steak or a burger, the high heat creates a Maillard reaction, developing a rich, caramelized crust. Amber ales and lighter porters feature roasted malts that beautifully echo those toasted, smoky flavors.
- The Flavor Profile: Medium-bodied, balanced, and malty, with notes of caramel, toffee, and toasted nuts.
- Best Food Pairings: Charbroiled burgers, wood-fired pizzas, smoked chicken wings, and grilled mushrooms.
- What to Grab: A classic amber ale or a smooth local red ale provides just enough sweetness and roasted depth to match your grill marks perfectly.
Quick Reference: Grilling & Beer Pairing Chart
Need a quick shopping cheat sheet before heading out? Match your main course to these ideal beer styles:
| What’s on the Grill? | Best Beer Style | Why It Works |
| Brats, Hot Dogs, Fish | Lager / Pilsner | Clean and crisp; washes down salty, savory foods without overpowering them. |
| Burgers, Steaks, Brisket | IPA / Pale Ale | High hop bitterness cuts through heavy animal fats and rich oils. |
| BBQ Ribs & Glazed Chicken | Shandy / Fruit Beer | The fruit sweetness complements caramelized sugars in sticky sauces. |
| Charbroiled & Smoked Meats | Amber Ale / Brown Ale | Roasted, toffee-like malts mimic the delicious char from the grill grates. |
Stock the Ultimate Grilling Cooler at G-Will Liquors
No matter what you are throwing on the fire this weekend, the secret to a great cookout is variety. Keeping a diverse selection of light lagers, hoppy IPAs, and refreshing fruit beers ensures every guest finds their perfect match.
Stop by any of our clean, spacious G-Will Liquors locations across Minnesota—including Andover, Becker, Blaine, Champlin, Cottage Grove, Lino Lakes, Ramsey, and Oak Grove. Our friendly staff will gladly point you toward the freshest seasonal releases and local hidden gems.
Pro-Tip for Ultimate Savings: Are you a GeeWillickers ClubCard Member? Sign up for free today and make sure to stop by on Beer Break Monday to receive 10% off all non-sale beer purchases!
Fire up the grill, crack open a cold one, and enjoy the season!
FAQ
Q: Should I use beer to baste my meat while grilling?
A: Absolutely! Spraying or basting meats like chicken or pork with a lighter beer (like a lager or amber ale) keeps the meat incredibly moist and adds a subtle, earthy malt flavor to the crust. Avoid heavy IPAs for basting, as boiling down hops can make the meat taste bitter.
Q: What is the best serving temperature for summer beers?
A: Light lagers, pilsners, and fruit shandies are best served ice-cold (around 38°F to 44°F) straight from the cooler. Craft IPAs and amber ales actually taste better slightly warmer (around 45°F to 50°F), as extreme cold mutes complex hop and malt flavors.
Q: Are canned beers or glass bottles better for backyard grilling?
A: Aluminum cans are generally preferred for outdoor grilling and patios. Canned beer cools down faster in ice, completely blocks out UV light (preventing the beer from becoming “skunked” under the sun), and eliminates the safety hazard of broken glass around the deck or pool.
Q: Can I use non-alcoholic beer for food pairings?
A: Yes! The non-alcoholic craft beer market has boomed. High-quality NA lagers and IPAs feature the exact same flavor profiles, malt structures, and hop bitterness as regular beer, making them excellent, hydration-friendly pairings for grilled foods.