What’s on Tap for BBQ Season?

Ah, BBQ season, the unofficial sport of the Bluegrass.

You’ve got pork shoulder smoking low and slow, corn on the cob doing its thing on the top rack, and lawn chairs circling the fire pit like it’s a ritual.

The only thing missing? The right beer to pair with your plate.

While bourbon is always welcome at the table (this is Kentucky), when it’s hotter than a cast-iron skillet in church, sometimes it’s time to reach for something cold, crisp, and brewed with backyard vibes in mind.

Let’s Get to the Pairings:

🔹 Country Boy Brewing (Lexington & Georgetown)

These guys brew beer for folks who know their way around a grill.

• Shotgun Wedding (Vanilla Brown Ale)
  Pairs with: Pulled pork, BBQ beans, and sweet BBQ sauces.
  The vanilla and malt notes are smooth and slightly sweet—perfect for countering tangy sauces and smoky meat. It's the comfort blanket of beer.

• Cougar Bait (American Blonde Ale)
  Pairs with: Spicy wings, smoked chicken, or pork chops.
  Light, crisp, and crushable, it’s the beer you reach for between bites when the spice hits. Think front porch, hot day, and an easy drinker.

👉 https://countryboybrewing.com

🔹 Ethereal Brewing (Lexington)

Craft beer with a twist of class—without being too fancy to drink in cargo shorts.

• Lambda Oatmeal Stout
  Pairs with: Brisket, burnt ends, or dry-rubbed ribs.
  The creamy, roasted notes stand up to rich, fatty cuts. Think of it as the porterhouse of the beer world—thick, bold, and proud of it.

• Witbier (Belgian-Style Wheat Beer)
  Pairs with: BBQ chicken, grilled shrimp, and vinegar-based sauces.
  Its citrus and spice brighten up your plate like a squeeze of lemon over smoky meat. Especially great when your palate needs a break from sweet heat.

👉 https://www.etherealbrew.com

Pairing Pro Tips from the Kentucky Dude:

• Brisket → Go dark (Stout or Porter)

• Pork → Browns, ambers, and fruitier ales

• Spicy BBQ → Light, crisp beers (Blondes, Wheats)

• Ribs → Depends on the rub. Dry? Go dark. Sweet? Go hoppy.

• Chicken → Play around—almost anything works.

Whatever you’re cookin’, just remember: seltzer’s not invited, and no one wants to chase ribs with a warm beer.

Stock your cooler like you stock your spice rack—intentionally.