Savor the Flavor of Summer with Staff-Favorite Food and Beers

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We’re officially in the dog days of summer, bringing hot sunny days and the perfect excuse to explore our craft beers and delectable bar food inside. We asked our staff to recommend some of their favorite summer beers and warm-weather dishes on the menu. Get ready to cool off with a pint and a plate—curated by your friendly servers and bartenders at your neighborhood location.

Cheers to a Summer of Beer

Summer beers offer light and refreshing profiles that complement the warmth of the season with fruity notes, lower alcohol content, and a crisp finish that makes them ideal for sipping in the heat. 

Wheat beers are known for their light, slightly sweet flavor with hints of citrus and spice. They’re often unfiltered, giving them a cloudy appearance and a full-bodied mouthfeel. Wheat beers pair well with lighter fare, such as salads, seafood, and grilled chicken, making them a versatile choice for summer meals.

Lagers are crisp and refreshing, with a clean finish that makes them ideal for quenching thirst on a hot day. Their mild flavor profile allows them to pair well with a variety of dishes, from salty snacks to grilled vegetables. Pale ales, on the other hand, offer a bolder flavor with hoppy notes that complement spicy dishes and barbecued meats.

With so many options available, finding the perfect summer beer can be a rewarding adventure. Here are some of our suggestions.

Kaden Severn, a bartender in Lehi, loves Wasatch Brewery’s Blueberry Hefeweizen because it’s refreshing and sweet but not too sweet. West Jordan server and bartender Tessa Morrill also gives it a vote, saying, “I love the flavor.”

Squatter’s Juicy IPA also gets nods from Sandy’s Ethan Bolingbroke and bartender Kinzie in West Jordan. 

Crafting Your Perfect Pairings

Pairing beer with food is an art form, one that requires a balance of flavors and textures to create a harmonious experience to elevate a meal. When choosing a beer to pair with your meal, consider the flavors in both the food and the beer. A tangy wheat beer might pair beautifully with a citrusy salad, while a robust stout could complement the charred notes of grilled meats. The goal is to find complementary and contrasting flavors that work together. 

Our staff provides these suggestions of the best summer beers and food pairings to help you make the most of the season. Their choices are based on flavor profiles, seasonal availability, and the perfect balance between beer and dish.

Two bartenders from our Arvada, Colorado, location offer some delicious suggestions. For a light and refreshing pairing, try crisp Palisade Peach Wheat from Breckenridge Brewery with the chicken Caesar salad wrap.

Chelsea Roellchen loves Avery Brewing’s White Rascal because it’s a light option that isn’t too hoppy paired with the French dip pizza because “it’s unique and different with amazing flavor.”

Severn points to Bohemian Brewery’s crisp Czech Pilsner with any of Bout Time’s burgers.

Lehi’s server and bartender, Karla, loves “some smoked wings in fire sauce and a Pacifico for some heat and then some cooling relief.”

The beauty of beer and food pairing is its versatility and room for experimentation. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try unconventional pairings. By experimenting with different beers and dishes, you’ll develop a deeper appreciation for the art of pairing and discover new combinations you’ll want to revisit every summer.

Here’s to Delicious Summer Pairings

The perfect beer and food pairings can transform a simple meal into a memorable experience, inviting you to savor the best of summer. By exploring the diverse world of summer beers and experimenting with different pairings on our menu, you can discover new favorites for every meal. 

Make the most of this summer by trying some of our staff favorites and creating your own. Here’s to great beers, delicious food, and unforgettable moments!

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