BOSTON, May 20, 2015 – The brewers at Samuel Adams have teamed up with the experts at Weber Grills to combine two of America’s favorite summer traditions, grilling and craft beer. Together, they have created the ultimate DIY activity for craft beer-loving, backyard pit-masters: Samuel Adams Summer Ale-soaked wood chips, designed to turn any gas or charcoal grill into a flavorful smoker. A recent survey found that half of American adults have never smoked meat on a grill, but almost 70% believe that grilling with beer would take their grilling to the next level. All the more reason to test-drive this simple smoking method that infuses grilled food with the delicious flavors of Samuel Adams beer.
When Samuel Adams Brewer and Director of Brewery Programs Jennifer Glanville got behind the grill with Weber Grill Master Kevin Kolman, they quickly discovered that soaking wood chips in Samuel Adams beer would add a new element to smoking on the grill. When placed on the hot coals of a charcoal grill or in a smoker tray on a gas grill, Weber Apple Wood Chips soaked in Samuel Adams Summer Ale infuse flavor into grilled food including a slightly sweet and citrusy note imparted by the lemon peel in Summer Ale to a subtle peppery flavor from Grains of Paradise used as a spice in the brew.
“As a brewer and self-proclaimed foodie, I’m constantly trying new ways to incorporate beer into my recipes,” said Glanville. “Kevin and I first started experimenting with wood chips soaked in beer last summer. We were amazed by their aroma on the grill, but then when we tasted food smoked with Weber’s Wood Chips soaked in Samuel Adams Summer Ale, we were blown away by the even bigger punch of flavor this method added to our recipes. This year, we developed an easy yet impactful DIY activity for beer-soaked wood chips that any backyard griller can use to impress family and friends while enjoying a Summer Ale.”
More than half (52%) of American adults have incorporated beer into their grilling recipes, and Weber Grill Master Kevin Kolman is one of them.“Smoking is one of my favorite grilling techniques, but adding Samuel Adams beer into the equation truly takes it to the next level,” says Kolman. “The flavors you can introduce by smoking with beer-soaked wood chips can’t be replicated by any other cooking technique. For best results, be sure to keep your grill lid closed to ensure the smoke permeates the food. It’s simple, delicious and combines the two flavorful worlds of grilling and craft beer.”
Samuel Adams Summer Ale-Soaked Wood Chips
Method developed by Kevin Kolman, Weber Grills:
- To maximize the flavors and aromas of Samuel Adams Summer Ale, soak the wood chips for at least 30 minutes. The wood chips can be soaked by placing them in a bucket and covering them fully with Samuel Adams Summer Ale.
- After soaking, remove the chips and drain excess beer. The wood chips should be damp, not dripping wet when placed in the grill to help prolong their ability to smolder, rather than burn, and add more beer flavor to the food. We recommend using Weber’s Apple Wood Chips.
Tips for Smoking on a Charcoal Grill:
- Light a pile of charcoal briquettes on the grill grate, or for best results use a chimney starter to light your coals.
- Sprinkle a handful of damp wood chips directly onto the coals once they are covered in white ash and place the lid on the grill. As smoke begins to pour out of the grill, place your food on top of the grill grate and re-cover. Be sure to position the vent on the opposite side of the charcoal to draw heat and smoke over the food as it leaves the grill.
- Begin grilling the food, and add coals as necessary to maintain heat.
Tips for Smoking on a Gas Grill:
Some gas grills come with a built-in smoker box, which can simply be filled with the wood chips soaked in Summer Ale. If your grill doesn’t have a built-in smoker box, follow these simple steps:
- Use the Weber Firespice Apple Smoker Tray which is pre-filled with the Apple Wood Chips.
- The wood chips can be soaked by placing the entire pre-made tin in a bucket and covering it fully with Samuel Adams Summer Ale. Soak for at least 30 minutes to maximize flavor and allow the wood to fully absorb the beer.
- When ready to grill, take the Weber Firespice Apple Smoker Tray out of the liquid using tongs and place directly on the heated grill grates (not under the grates).
Samuel Adams Summer Ale Grilled BBQ Shrimp Skewers
Recipe by Kevin Kolman, Weber Grills
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
1-1½ pounds of extra-large shrimp, 16/20 count, (peeled and deveined), tails left on
½ tbsp. olive oil
½ cup light brown sugar
1 tbsp. granulated garlic
1 tbsp. granulated onion
1 tbsp. ground black pepper
1 tbsp. salt
1 tbsp. paprika
½ tsp. cayenne pepper
½ tsp. cumin
2 bottles Samuel Adams Summer Ale
For the soaked wood chips:
2 large handfuls of Weber Firespice® Apple Wood Chips (for charcoal grill) or Weber Apple Smoker Tray
1 bottle Samuel Adams Summer Ale
Special equipment:
Metal or bamboo skewers
*If using bamboo skewers, soak in Samuel Adams Summer Ale for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling. Soaking them ensures they will not break and, as a bonus, infuses skewered food with the flavors of Summer Ale.
Soaked Wood Chips Method:
When ready to begin cooking, brush clean the cooking grates on your grill. Add two handfuls of the soaked, drained wood chips to the smoker box in your gas grill, or place directly on the ashed-over charcoal in your charcoal grill. Close the lid of the grill. Begin cooking when smoke appears from your grill.
*See full details above for wood chip soaking tips and methods for smoking on gas and charcoal grills.
Cooking Method:
Marinate shrimp with 2 bottles of Samuel Adams Summer Ale for 30 minutes. Prepare the grill for direct cooking over high heat (450° to 550° F). In a medium-sized bowl combine all ingredients except the shrimp and olive oil. This will serve as a rub. Thread the shrimp onto the skewers, brush them with the olive oil, and sprinkle the rub over both sides. When smoke appears from your grill after the wood chips have been added, grill the shrimp skewers over direct high heat, with the lid closed, until the shrimp are firm to the touch and opaque in the center, 3 to 5 minutes, turning once or twice. Once cooked, remove from the grill and enjoy with Samuel Adams Summer Ale.
Samuel Adams Summer Ale Grilled BBQ Shrimp Skewers Tasting Notes from Brewer Jennifer Glanville
Marinating shrimp in Summer Ale adds a subtle spice to the shrimp and soaking skewers in Summer Ale is an easy way to add more flavor to the shrimp. The subtle char from the grill balanced by the spices in the marinade emphasize the sweet, citrusy flavors of the Apple Wood Chips soaked in Summer Ale.
Where to find Samuel Adams for your next BBQ:
- Samuel Adams Summer Ale will be available nationwide from March through July in six-packs for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $7.99-$9.99, 12-packs (bottles and cans) for a SRP of $14.99-$17.99, 16 oz. single serve cans for a SRP of $1.99-$2.49 and on draft. It is also available in the Samuel Adams Beers of Summer Variety 12-Pack which also includes Boston Lager, Rebel Rider Session IPA and new brew, Downtime Pilsner, for a suggested retail price of $14.99-$17.99. (All prices vary by market.)
- To find where Samuel Adams brews are sold near you, visit http://www.samueladams.com/find-a-sam
- Additional recipes and DIY tips available at http://blog.samueladams.com/summer-grilling
- Show us your grilling skills #CookingWithSamAdams @SamuelAdamsBeers!
Where to find Weber Wood Chips:
· Samuel Adams Summer Grilling Bucket will be available on the Samuel Adams e-store: http://www.samueladamsstore.com/. The Summer Grilling Bucket will include a Samuel Adams metal bucket for soaking chips, Weber Apple Wood chips, two Samuel Adams glasses and a special Samuel Adams spatula for $29.99 (plus shipping). Or, Weber Wood Chips and the Weber Firespice Apple Smoker Tray are available at home improvement and hardware stores nationwide, or at www.weber.com.
*Survey conducted by Wakefield Research, an independent research provider. Respondents were American adults 21+ years of age.
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