I like beer. I especially like trying craft beers. With flavors ranging from grapefruit to Nutella, there’s something for everyone. But sometimes I come across a beer that I just don’t like. That’s where these creative ways to use beer come into play.
I’ve Met a Beer I Didn’t Like
Have you ever heard someone say, “I never met a beer I didn’t like”? Well, I have – I’ve met one, I mean. Several, actually.
Last summer, for instance, my brother-in-law asked me to bring drinks to a cookout, so I hurried to Walmart to buy a case of Coca-Cola and a case of beer. I wanted to try something new, and the attractive packaging of a variety pack from Elysian Brewing Company caught my eye.
The bad news was, I didn’t like any of the four IPAs in the case. Neither did many of the party guests.
What was I to do with half a case of beer that I didn’t want to drink? I Googled it, and these recipes have become part of my regular rotation. Today, it’s not so much unwanted beer that fills my cooking pans, but my bad habit of opening a cold one and only drinking half of it. Yes, these recipes will also help you to use up those “stale” opened beers that sometimes find their way back to the refrigerator.
Beer Rice
Making beer rice is perhaps the easiest way to keep an unwanted beer from going to waste. All you have to do is prepare the rice according to the package instructions, replacing some of the water with an equal amount of beer.
What does beer rice taste like? Does it taste like beer? If you’ve cooked with beer or wine in the past, you will know that it doesn’t taste strongly of the beverage. Beer rice has a lightly hoppy, fermented flavor that goes well with salty and citrusy spices.
Check out this margarona rice recipe for one example.
Marinades
Leftover beer makes a great marinade for chicken, pork, and beef. You can combine it with spices or use it on its own. The beer imparts flavor and the alcohol tenderizes the meat by breaking down collagen protein.
You’ve probably heard of the famous “beer can chicken,” where a whole chicken is roasted over an open beer can. I haven’t tried this trick yet, but I probably will. Have you? Tell us in the comments below.
Mixed Drinks
Beer is an uncommon mixed drink ingredient (the margarona is the only one that comes readily to mind), and you may not enjoy the result if you already don’t like the beer.
I’ve found one exception to this rule. I really love dark beers, especially stouts. But sometimes, a stout is just a little too stout for my taste.
When this happens, I turn it into a Dublin stout and cream. This mixed drink combines beer, whiskey, cream (or plant-based alternative), nutmeg, and a sweet syrup. The sweetness and dilution take the edge off a too-strong beer, and the result is delightful.
Conclusion
Do you have any other great recipes that include beer? If so, please share them in the comments section below!
One part Lois Lane, one part Jimmy Olsen, one part Johnboy Walton, and a bit of that Clark Kent secret identity thing thrown in for good measure.
Cara Siera is a freelance writer and photographer with a passion for travel and exotic cuisine. Join Cara, her husband Marc, and one very spoiled German Shepherd on their next great adventure.
2 thoughts on “Creative Ways to Use That Beer You Can’t Stand”
Comments are closed.