11 Recipes to Cook with Beer
From pasta dishes to grilled meats, in braised dishes, cocktails and even desserts, beer works wonders. Find out more about the different types of beers, their flavour profiles and their culinary uses, and get inspired with a few recipes to use them in.
Light Blondes
The versatility of this beer is appreciated, what with its soft taste, malty profile and subtle hops, which has the advantage of not masking more delicate flavours , like those of fish and seafood . Being slightly effervescent, blonde beers bring a light, airy and crispy touch to fried batter.
● Uses: In pancake, crepe or doughnut batters , French onion soup and cocktails .
● Try These Delicious Recipes:
Try: Turkey Buckwheat Crêpe Paninis
Try: Fried Cod and Pickle Burgers by RICARDO
White Beers
These summer-friendly beers are light and slightly bitter. Their fruity and spicy aromas, with hints of citrus and cilantro, add a refreshing touch to marinades , pair well with creamy sauces and seafood , and supply tenderness and flavour to poultry .
● Uses: In dough for frying , in a recipe formussels and beer , to marinatechicken , and to enhance a light, citrus-based dessert .
● Try These Delicious Recipes:
Try: Oven-Roasted Sage Chicken
Try: Beer Batter Shrimp
Featured Quebec Beers
The selection of Quebec beers is as impressive as it is diverse. Want to see for yourself? Take a look at the beer section of your local IGA store. You’ll find a great selection of products that reflect our local pride.
Amber and Red Beers
These two types of beers are often confused, with the red beer standing out for its redder hue and maltier taste. Amber beer, for its part, has a coppery colour that ranges from light to dark, and has a nice balance between the sweetness of the malt and the bitterness of the hops. Each has caramel and toasted bread notes, bringing complex flavours to recipes.
● Uses: In a stew , in a red meat marinade , in French onion soup or a braised sausage dish.
● Try These Delicious Recipes:
Try: Maple-Glazed Salmon
Try: Onion and Beer Soup
Try: Lamb and Red Beer Stew
Dark Beers
With notes of toasted malt, caramel, cocoa and coffee, these beers are perfect for enhancing the aromatic character of slow-cooked dishes . Adding them to chocolate-based recipes, like brownies, helps reinforce the cocoa notes and brings a moist texture to the cake.
● Uses: In a BBQ sauce to pair with grilled food , infused in a crème brûlée.
● Try These Delicious Recipes:
Try: Barbecued Beer-Braised Beef Ribs
Try: Baked Coffee Chickpeas
Good to Know
When substituting beer for wine in a recipe, it results in a softer and sweeter taste. Make sure to measure the quantity properly and select a beer with little bitterness. For this reason, very hoppy beers should be used in moderation.
Black Beers
Cousins of dark beers, black beers like porters and stouts have a dark and opaque appearance, with colours ranging from deep brown to ebony black. Their roasted coffee and cocoa notes help to intensify flavours and bring depth to stews and braised meats (beef, pork, lamb).
● Uses: In stews and braises , to enhance a sauce , and in a Black Forest cake .
● Try These Delicious Recipes:
Try: Stout Pork Stew from Stefano Faita
Try: Braised Beef Shepherd's Pie