What We’re Cooking | Smoked Over-the-Top Chili

Of all the hobbies we’ve collected as humans over the pandemic, learning how to cook with a smoker might be one of the best. It’s practical, can be used for the rest of your life, makes delicious food and walks that perfect line between obsession and enthusiasm without completely depleting your bank account.

If you are in the food-smoking world, you likely have already seen a few (or a ton of) social media posts for over-the-top chili. And even if you haven’t made it yourself (yet), it’s probably high on your list. For National Chili Day, we thought it would be a perfect time to highlight this versatile cold-weather dish. Most chili recipes call for water OR beer, so you can swap out the water in your chili base for any of your favorite beers (probably wouldn’t use a Sour obviously). For this recipe, the beer of choice was 95 Nightmares Before Christmas, a Dry-Hopped Munich Lager from Fiction Beer Co.

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What We’re Cooking | Curried Pork Chops & Dubbel Apple Chutney

This recipe comes from Scott Johnson’s recipe book and is a modern twist on the classic pairing of pork chops and applesauce.

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What We’re Cooking | Imperial Stout Infused Salt

One of the greatest benefits to our “What We’re Cooking” series is that PorchDrinking has the chance to do our own special kind of recipe development. Any chef will show you how alcohol can be present in just about any kind of dish for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert but beer is mysteriously underrepresented. However, just like home brewing, it means there’s a world of undiscovered projects just waiting to be uncovered. And Scott Johnson may have found a new beer-tasting seasoning to hit the shelves with Imperial Stout Salt! Read More

What We’re Cooking | IPA Green Curry

As the temps drop, comfort foods take center stage. Editor Meghan Howes submitted this week’s recipe. Her spin on Thai curry will have you salivating!

Meghan grew up with parents who “curried” everything, especially leftover proteins like lamb, chicken and beef. Her father loved to mix his own curry powders, many of them in the Madras tradition. As Meghan got older, and discovered Thai food (her greatest weakness), Meghan’s world opened to a whole new world of curry, and Thai curries were some of the best. Her favorite, by far, is green curry. Read More

What We’re Cooking | Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies

As we get closer to Halloween, we’re pulling another recipe out of our archives. This week’s What We’re Cooking recipe comes from former PorchDrinker, Chelsea Mitchell. Made with Southern Tier’s Pumking Imperial and Warlock Imperial Stout, these Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies will haunt you in the best way possible.

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What We’re Cooking | Hefeweizen Honeycomb Toffee

On Halloween, adults are torn between two decisions: eat candy with the kids or drink with the adults. In this edition of What We’re Cooking, Scott Johnson solves that problem by bringing the two elements together through this Hefeweizen Honeycomb Toffee! Read More

What We’re Cooking | Pilsner-Simmered Kielbasa

Beer and sausage are a happy pair any time of the year, but it seems that fall is when they really shine as a duo. Oktoberfest is an obvious occasion to head to the meat market and peruse the links hanging behind the counter. This recipe from our very own Ana Pelfka swaps a traditional German bratwurst or knockwurst for Polish smoked kielbasa, simmered in Revolution Brewing’s Rev Pils and served with caramelized onions and apples.

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What We’re Cooking | Rodenbach Rote Grütze

After hours of imbibing in the finest German beers and breads of Oktoberfest, a refreshing, fruity treat is ideal way to slow down into the evening.

Rote Grütze, also known as “Red Groats” is a traditional dessert from Northern Germany that is incredibly easy, customizable, and flexible.

The Flanders Red actually provides a lot of the acidity required to cut through all the tannins from the berries. Rodenbach Alexander goes the extra mile with the character from the oak foeders combined with sour cherries.

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What We’re Cooking | Fried Beer-Battered Avocados

This week, we’re pulling a recipe out of the archives from our pal, former PorchDrinker Chelsea Mitchell. The batter, when combined with Upslope IPA, is full of flavorful hops and crisps up nicely, giving the avocados a nice crunch. Word to the wise: Frying avocados is no small feat, so proceed with plenty of patience and room for trial and error. In fact, you may want to check out Chelsea’s chronicle of her experience making these morsels of deliciousness before you get started!

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What We’re Cooking | The Ultimate Beer Burger

In the heat of summer, many of us enjoy grilling outside. This week’s recipe comes from Paul Lewis using his go-to burger recipe. Paul enjoys making things from scratch, which is why this recipe comes with instructions for the bun, cheese and patty. The addition of a Lager, in this case Dovetail Brewery’s Helles Lager, brings out a depth of flavor that will take your burger to the next level. Read More

What We’re Cooking | Beer Broth Mussels

We know wine and mussels go hand-in-hand but have you considered beer? This week’s recipe is provided by Rachel Morrison. Using an adapted recipe by The Spruce Eats, Rachel added some heat with jalapeño, serrano and even included leeks. Read More

What We’re Cooking | Grilled Wit Wings

As evidenced by the amount consumed annually in the U.S. – more than 18,000 per person by some estimates – chicken wings have a colossal fan base. In the summer months, the grills come out, and there’s nothing quite like grilled wings. Hot weather also calls for alternatives to the classic “hot wings.” This week’s What We’re Cooking recipe comes from Kevin Kain, who says these wings pair deliciously with a Belgian Wit. Enjoy!

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What We’re Cooking | Doppelbock Chicken Étouffée

This week’s recipe comes from Scott Johnson, our resident home chef. In his household, gumbo was served often, with Scott’s dad using a recipe from Emeril Lagasse that Scott’s brother would later adapt. Turning the standard chicken and andouille sausage gumbo made with white wine recipe into a dark étouffée was Scott’s way of putting his own spin on this Cajun classic. Read More

What We’re Cooking | Milk Stout Brownies

At PorchDrinking, we have several writers with a sweet tooth, and Karen Mills is no exception. Her Milk Stout Brownies (recipe adapted from Kitchy Kitchen) are the perfect complement for any occasion, rain or shine. Forgot milk, Karen recommends that you pair these brownies with your favorite stout or, in her case, some sort of barrel-aged goodness from WeldWerks.

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What We’re Cooking | Deschutes Easy Porter Cupcakes

For this week’s edition of What We’re Cooking, PorchDrinking’s Emma Wargolet provides this Porter cupcake recipe that comes from Betty Crocker and was adapted by Deschutes Brewery using their Black Butte Porter. Emma loves this recipe because it’s easily adaptable, and if you’re short on time, you don’t need to make the frosting from scratch (don’t worry, we won’t tell). These Easy Porter Cupcakes are rich enough without being overpowering, and the beer provides complementary notes of chocolate and coffee. Deschutes’ Black Butte Porter is available year round, so rest assured you can bake off a batch of these cupcakes every season of the year. Enjoy!

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What We’re Cooking | Beery Cheesy Fondue

Beer, like a great meal, is best when shared with others. This recipe brings that holy trinity of beer, food (in this case the king of foodstuffs, cheese), and people together around one delectable pot of gooey awesomeness. PorchDrinking’s Karl Kalinkewicz has been using this recipe for over a decade as a way to satiate cheese cravings while also hosting an interactive and communal food experience. Invite over your cheesiest friends, crack some beers, duel with your fondue spears over the last morsels of melted deliciousness, and enjoy this delicious recipe provided by Karl!

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PorchDrinking Staff Shares Favorite Recipes with What We’re Cooking

Beer, with all of its flavors and nuances, can enhance some of your favorite dishes. Many of us at PorchDrinking love to cook, so we’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes featuring our favorite ingredient: beer.

From beer cheese fondue to easy porter brownies, each week we’ll publish a new recipe for you to enjoy. So without further adieu, here’s What We’re Cooking, a collection of staff-picked cooking with beer recipes.

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Knead a Beer? This New Book Is Full of Great Beer Bread Recipes

Lori Rice is here to save us from lackluster beer bread.

In many beer bread recipes, the brew itself is an afterthought. The recipe will recommend adding “beer”—type unspecified—in place of water, and since most people will reach for a light lager in these moments, they might as well have just used water in the first place.

Rice’s new book Beer Bread: Brew-Infused Breads, Rolls, Biscuits, Muffins, and More (Countryman Press) tears down the tyranny of mediocre beer bread recipes and offers over 60 exciting alternatives in which beer plays a significant role in the finished flavor.

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Ultimate 6er | Beer and Dip Pairings

Super Bowl Sunday is one of my favorite days of the year. My friends and I gather for an evening of celebration and friendly competition: the annual Dip Party. The football plays on mute for any plus ones who care about sports, and the game is only un-muted for the half-time show. Everyone attending brings a homemade dip and dunker, with first, second, and third place prizes based on a popular vote. 

From sweet to savory, nostalgic classics to fresh takes, the party is all about the dip — a quintessential snack at any gathering. And as dip is the perfect party food, beer is an obvious beverage choice. This is especially true on Super Bowl Sunday when the industry is inundated with heightened awareness for beer’s biggest players. Whether enjoying a small spread or hosting a dip feast of your own, below are fail-safe beer pairings for some classic party dips. 

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Stepping Up Your Beer & Wing Game

I love the Super Bowl solely because of the food. Chips and guac, Italian heroes (or wedges, as they call it where I’m from) and chili are all great, but wings are my favorite. Since beer and wings go hand in hand, it’s fun to take this pairing a step further and combine the two. There are many ways to do this and we’ve provided a few easy ideas. Read More