Midsummer beer and food pairings

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Pegasus, Jun 18, 2023.

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  1. Pegasus

    Pegasus Pooh-Bah (2,308) Mar 20, 2002 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Midsummer is on Saturday, June 24th. this year. When I was in Europe, many years ago, Midsummer Night was celebrated much in the same way that the 4th of July is celebrated in the US, there were fireworks, bonfires, including the burning of effigies and lots of food and beer. This year, I thought it might be fun to have a little Midsummer celebration of my own. Truth be told, late June is hardly the middle of summer in Central Texas, but why miss a chance to celebrate? May I ask for your thoughts on some suitable beer styles and food pairings for this pleasant holiday? Cheers and all best wishes!
     
    #1 Pegasus, Jun 18, 2023
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  2. AccipiterofBeer

    AccipiterofBeer Pooh-Bah (1,773) Nov 28, 2016 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    Find yourself a decent 'crisp' lager (American/Mex, helles or Pilsner) and make some BBQ or some Texmex. OG Pale Ale (the non hazy kind) might also pair well.
     
    #2 AccipiterofBeer, Jun 18, 2023
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2023
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  3. ramseye4

    ramseye4 Maven (1,392) May 14, 2010 Virginia

    Rauchbier and a smoked brisket
     
    #3 ramseye4, Jun 18, 2023
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  4. jonphisher

    jonphisher Grand Pooh-Bah (3,850) Aug 9, 2015 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I’ll add, a nice canned hefe, grabbed a local one I hadn’t had in a while last weekend. There is one can left and I’m already thinking about buying my next six pack in as many weeks. Pairing perfectly with our beautiful weather this past week.
     
    #4 jonphisher, Jun 18, 2023
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  5. Spade

    Spade Pooh-Bah (2,568) Mar 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    If the burning of effigies is on the schedule then some sort of smoked beer is in order.
     
    #5 Spade, Jun 18, 2023
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  6. Spade

    Spade Pooh-Bah (2,568) Mar 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I haven't had many hefeweizens in recent years. Maybe this is the summer to correct that.
     
    #6 Spade, Jun 18, 2023
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  7. jonphisher

    jonphisher Grand Pooh-Bah (3,850) Aug 9, 2015 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Well, said local hefeweizen was Troëgs Dreamweaver Wheat, grabbing that six pack was a great beer decision.
     
    #7 jonphisher, Jun 18, 2023
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  8. Spade

    Spade Pooh-Bah (2,568) Mar 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Oh yeah I have not had that in ages. It's now on my shopping list.
     
    #8 Spade, Jun 18, 2023
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  9. Fenski

    Fenski Pundit (791) Apr 24, 2008 Ohio
    Society

    I think a rauchbier with a smoked meat would be smoke overload! The answer is Shiner Bock or Lone Star with smoked brisket.

    And how the hell did they come up with June 24th being the middle of Summer?
     
    #9 Fenski, Jun 18, 2023
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  10. Pegasus

    Pegasus Pooh-Bah (2,308) Mar 20, 2002 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    In Europe and particularly northern Europe, June 24th is approximately the middle of the agricultural season. It also falls close to the summer solstice, when the amount of daylight each day begins to decrease. The site almanac.com has an article about Midsummer customs. And it seems a perfectly good excuse to celebrate!
     
    #10 Pegasus, Jun 18, 2023
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  11. seakayak

    seakayak Pooh-Bah (1,823) May 20, 2007 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Years ago back in Ohio, a treat this time of year was fried walleye and Grolsch lager with the swing-top bottle stopper. Walleye fillets dipped in egg and Italian bread crumbs then fried are hard to beat! Best-tasting freshwater fish there is! :beers:

    Here's a recent humungous Lake Erie walleye! :whale:

    [​IMG]
     
    #11 seakayak, Jun 18, 2023
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  12. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Midsummer is 3 days after the Solstice?

    *Edit -- I see the agricultural reference, but still -- let's not push the season here where I'm lucky to get 3 months of true summer! :grin:
     
    #12 steveh, Jun 18, 2023
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  13. Peach63

    Peach63 Pooh-Bah (2,442) Jul 17, 2019 New York
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    A lady who catches bigger fish than I do? I'm jealous!
     
    #13 Peach63, Jun 18, 2023
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  14. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Hell, summer doesn't even start around here until July 5th.
     
    #14 BBThunderbolt, Jun 18, 2023
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  15. barrybeerdog

    barrybeerdog Pundit (941) Aug 17, 2012 South Dakota

    Interesting thread, thanks for creating.
    I Wonder if that still goes on in Europe. Maybe our European BA friends could let us know.

    What say you @EdmundExley @Ernest7 @ManforallSaisons and the rest of Europe BA crew, is Midsummer Night still a thing in the old world?!
    Old traditions like that are great, hope it still goes on!
     
    #15 barrybeerdog, Jun 18, 2023
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  16. barrybeerdog

    barrybeerdog Pundit (941) Aug 17, 2012 South Dakota

    Wow, that's a beast of an "eye"...10+lb?
    I agree w/ you, nothing better than fresh Walleye filets, (big perch through the ice is a very close 2nd!)
     
    #16 barrybeerdog, Jun 18, 2023
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  17. Shanex

    Shanex Grand Pooh-Bah (4,960) Dec 10, 2015 France
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Like most things here in old Europe, it’s very much depending on which country you live in.

    For instance, @JamFuel is our BA representative from Sweden, and when Midsommar falls, if he manage to still be able to post after double digit number of beers, that are also double digit ABV the Virtual Bar thread is mostly about him. :wink:

    Here in France we celebrate the beginning of the summer by the « fête de la musique » right on 21st of June which is officially kicking off summer on the calendar.

    It implies going to bars, pubs, restaurants and even more so their terrace so to enjoy lots of beers and good food while singing along the various bands that are playing in the streets that day.

    In short: each of our country will have different traditions about summer. Our infamous Bastille Day falls on 14th of July and it’s another day and fair pretext to get drunk while fireworks are thrown around by the end of the evening.

    Great idea for a thread, which will no doubt interest many, Europeans or not.
     
    #17 Shanex, Jun 18, 2023
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  18. champ103

    champ103 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,296) Sep 3, 2007 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    A crisp lager for BBQ you say, in Texas you say, well that should be Live Oak Pils or Gold. Both are great. Let alone Live Oak Hefe.

    Schlenkerla Helles Lager would also work, if you want to do the smoke on smoke thing. Though the Helles isn't actually smoked, somehow it just gets that smoke essence just from the brewery ha, which is all the better for some balance IMO.

    Get some good cheeses and sausages, with German and Belgian beers, always pairs well.
     
    #18 champ103, Jun 18, 2023
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  19. champ103

    champ103 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,296) Sep 3, 2007 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Well, Texas gets 6 months of summer at the least, so there you go :slight_smile:
     
    #19 champ103, Jun 18, 2023
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  20. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    C'mon -- what do you call winter in Texas? :wink:
     
    #20 steveh, Jun 18, 2023
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