My friends and I try to get together as a group for Sunday brunch at least once a month, mainly gathering at one of our homes. This is a tradition that I look forward to every few weeks, but as the theme is usually potluck, I often find myself struggling with what dish to bring. And as if food weren’t hard enough, I know my friends are always counting on me to bring just the right beer to pair with our meal.
As I started to prep for this month’s event, I thought I’d make a list of some brunch beer selections to help those of you who may also be wondering what to bring to your next brunch event!
- AleSmith – Sublime Mexican Lager
- This beer is light, crisp and refreshing, making it the perfect choice to sip on all morning long. Bonus points if you incorporate it into a spicy michelada (see recipe below)!
- Substitution: Lagunitas – Pils
Get the same crisp and refreshing qualities from an option that’s readily available on store shelves year-round.
- Karl Strauss – Grass Skirts & Tiki Shirts
- This mimosa-inspired kettle sour is tart, juicy and tropical, and is sure to please even the non-beer drinker on your list! Stop by their Anaheim location to pick up a growler before heading to your next brunch!
- Substitution: Green Flash – Passion Fruit Kicker
A mouth-watering wheat ale featuring a tart blend of passion fruit tea and passion fruit juice that still checks the mimosa box!
- The Bruery – Mash & French Toast
- This bourbon barrel-aged barleywine is loaded with flavor — maple, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanilla make this the ultimate brunch selection. Topping out at over 13%, it’s a sure-fire way to kickstart your Sunday Funday!
- Substitution: High Water – Campfire Stout
It’s a s’mores-inspired beer brewed with graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows, and although it’s just as tasty, it’s much lighter at only 6.5%.
- Bottle Logic – Ground State
- This 13.4% barrel-aged breakfast stout has dark and roasty undertones, complete with just the right amount of barrel-aged coffee beans and Vermont maple syrup, making it a instant favorite at first sip!
- Substitution: Founders – Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS)
It has similar notes of coffee, bourbon and vanilla, with a slightly lower ABV of 11.2%.
With a list like this, you’re sure to be the MVP of brunch! Leave a comment below with your favorite brunch brews!
The Beer Freaker’s Spicy Michelada
- AleSmith Sublime Lager (substitute: your favorite Mexican-style lager)
- Tajín (substitute: salt)
- Tapatio (substitute: your favorite hot sauce)
- Picante Clamato juice (try the spicy variety!)
- Lime juice
- Lime wedges (for garnish, if desired)
Take about a tablespoon of Tajín (or salt) and sprinkle it on a small plate. Rub a slice of lime around the rim of the glass and then press the rim into the Tajín, covering the rim completely.
Fill the glass about about a third of the way with the Clamato juice. Add a few dashes of hot sauce, plus a few dashes of lime juice to taste. If you used Tajín for the rim, you can pour any excess from the plate into the glass.
Fill the rest of the glass with cold beer. Garnish with a slice of lime and enjoy!
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