Cheers to the Barbecue Boss! Dad-approved Beertails and Marinades

It’s time to fire up the grills, ice down the beers, and celebrate Dad!

Just like Dad, these beertails are no fuss, so whether you are planning to spend Father’s Day sitting out on the deck, floating around the lake on the pontoon, or hitting the links, these recipes are going to be a hit.

Dad-Approved Beertails and Marinades

Spaghett

Pronounced like Spaghetti but without the “eeee,” the Spaghett is sure to quench your thirst while you are manning the grill. Slightly bitter, slightly tangy, and slightly fruity, the Spaghett offers it all. It will not only quench your thirst, but the zest will keep you coming back for more. And not only is it delicious, it is easy to make!

Instructions and ingredients:

1. Crack open a Miller High Life.
2. Take two generous swigs (so the beer is around the top of the label).
3. Add 1 oz to 1 ½ oz of Aperol.
4. Squeeze half a medium-sized lime to top off the bottle (about 1 oz).
5. Sip and enjoy the Spaghett!

It’s easy to get carried away sharing the Spaghett with your friends and family, but save some for our delicious chicken marinade. After all, what’s better than cooking with beer (besides Father’s Day, obviously)?

Slightly Spicy Chicken Marinade

Although the ingredients are given in exact measurements, you can add more or less of what you like, a couple extra cloves of garlic or an extra dash of paprika if you’re feeling it. 

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to the level of Minnesota-Nice you desire)
• 1 tsp of oregano 
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 2 Miller High Lifes

Instructions:

1. Crack open two Miller High Lifes (one for drinking and one for the marinade).
2. Take a sip of each to ensure quality (optional).
3. Combine ingredients into a 1-gallon ziplock bag (or a large bowl)
4. Put  ¼ cup of the marinade to the side for basting.
5. Add 2-3 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs to the bag.
6. Let meat and marinade do their magic (ideally overnight but at a minimum of 2-3 hours, the longer, the better).
7. After you have allowed the chicken to marinate, fire up the grill!
8. Grill and enjoy a Spaghett while the chicken cooks.
9. Once the chicken is nearly done grilling, take the extra marinade you pulled aside and baste the chicken.
10. Dig in!

Great local alternatives to Miller High Life: Bent Paddle Venture Pils, Fulton Lonely Blonde, Castle Danger Castle Cream Ale.

Beergarita

Maybe these summer days have you thinking about life south of the border. If that’s the case, let’s talk Beergaritas. The best part about a Beergarita is that for this variation, we are going to make it right in the bottle—quick, easy, and delicious! Many people will recommend using Corona for a Beergarita, but if you are looking to try something new, try this variation with a Dos Equis or one of our suggested beers below. 

Instructions and ingredients:

1. Dampen the top of the bottle of Dos Equis and sprinkle kosher salt around the top.
2. Open the bottle of Dos Equis. 
3. Drink a little less than half.
4. Add 2 oz of a blanco tequila (we recommend Espolon, Don Julio, or 123).
5. Add 1 oz of Cointreau (or Tattersall Orange Crema).
6. Add lime juice from a medium-sized lime (approximately 1 ½ to 2 oz).
7. Add 1/2 oz of agave syrup (or a simple syrup). If you want it to be sweeter, add a little extra.
8. Cheers and enjoy!

We know these Beergaritas are going to be a hit, but you’ll want to save a bottle or two for a delicious pork marinade. 

Haskell’s Beer Chops

We start these chops by marinating the meat for at least 2-3 hours. To make them extra delicious, stick them in the bag the day before and give them a full 24 hours to marinate. Once again, this recipe is given in exact measurements, but there is no need to be too careful with the measurements. If you want a little more of a tangy flavor, add some bleu cheese crumbles to the marinade, or if you want a more earthy taste, add some parsley.  

Ingredients: 

• 2 cloves minced garlic or ½ tsp of garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• Juice from one medium-sized lime (approximately 1 ½ - 2 oz of juice)
• Two bottles of Dos Equis.

Instructions:

1. Open two bottles of Dos Equis (one for drinking and one for the marinade).
2. Combine ingredients into a 1-gallon ziplock bag (or a large bowl).
3. Add 2-3 pork chops to the bag (approximately 1” thick).
4. Allow meat to marinate (again, ideally overnight, but at a minimum of 2-3 hours, the longer, the better).
5. Time to fire up the grill.
6. While the grill heats, Beergarita Time!
7. Grill the pork chops.
8. Once chops are done grilling, let rest for around 5 minutes before serving.
9. Serve and enjoy your creation!

Great local alternatives to Dos Equis: Indeed Mexican Honey, Surly Grapefruit Supreme, Summit Dakota Soul.

We hope these recipes inspire you to fire up the grill and spend quality time with the people you love most. 

Happy Father’s Day!