Barbecue and craft beer pairing. KBBC Aug. 14

A few weeks back, this ground was covered. In essence, the question is: Why, seemingly inevitably, must barbecue be accompanied with lightweight American lager? You get this wonderful hunk of carefully crafted meat ... and over yonder sits the Bud wagon to wash it down. It's simply madness.

Isn't it time to just say no to this underachieving travesty?

Todd Antz made a reasonable suggestion, and I may be ready to join him (if he's willing) in offering expertise for this noble cause. I'm open to ideas as to how this might best be facilitated, but the aim is this: Purposefully pair American-made craft beer with barbecue, preferably different meats and different modes of preparation.

Todd, you in?

Suggestions, please? This isn't the sort of thing that I have facilities to do. But the beer ...

Are you thinking of a sit-down meal, or an outdoor barbecue fest that happens to have a decent selection of beer? Either way, put me down as attending.

I've also always heard that the Kentucky BBQ company on Frankfort has a very good selection of beer to accompany their product. I've been meaning to head over there and check it out, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Roger,

FYI...You are in violation of Section 4, paragraph E, sub paragraph b. of the Kentucky code which prohibits the use of the word "BBQ" and "pairings" in the same sentence...and rightfully so I might add. Continued use of such uppity phrases will result in my reporting you to the proper authorities. The end result being NO bah-bah-que fo you.

I would be interested in a bbq cookoff and beer fest. Perhaps the forum members can cook and organize a fund raiser where the public could come and eat and drink great beer? Maybe in Sept to have time to get it organized. It's still warm and an end of season bbq would be cool.

The Kentucky code doesn't apply to me. I live in Indiana.

I'd say informal.

And I know I need to go to Ky BBQ Co. Just haven't had time -- yet.

Let me add that for starters, doing it at a place like the KY BBQ CO might be the best idea. It would allow for research (ahem) by a smaller group before unleashing the idea on an unsuspecting planet.

I would be interested in a bbq cookoff and beer fest. Perhaps the forum members can cook and organize a fund raiser where the public could come and eat and drink great beer? Maybe in Sept to have time to get it organized. It's still warm and an end of season bbq would be cool.

That's a great idea Brian! Why don't you head that up? I think we'd all love to come.

Ok, Carla, if you insist! lol

Suggestions, please? This isn't the sort of thing that I have facilities to do. But the beer ...

Roger, Ithink Bank Street could be a great spot for this. Everyone should prepare/smoke their meats before the event. Then there would be one big smoker at the event outside that the meats could be brought up to temp in and served. So we'd have that nice smokey aroma and air, open doors at Bank Street and good que and beer! That wouldn't be that hard or difficult to plan. Smoke/prepare your meats and sides, bring them to Bank St. and serve. Sell the Q by the plate. Proceeds from the food go to a charity and maybe a portion of beer sales if Roger would do that.

I've also always heard that the Kentucky BBQ company on Frankfort has a very good selection of beer to accompany their product. I've been meaning to head over there and check it out, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

I went on Saturday. Their Beer list is impressive and food is quite good.

Roger, Ithink Bank Street could be a great spot for this. Everyone should prepare/smoke their meats before the event. Then there would be one big smoker at the event outside that the meats could be brought up to temp in and served. So we'd have that nice smokey aroma and air, open doors at Bank Street and good que and beer! That wouldn't be that hard or difficult to plan. Smoke/prepare your meats and sides, bring them to Bank St. and serve. Sell the Q by the plate. Proceeds from the food go to a charity and maybe a portion of beer sales if Roger would do that.

I'm not familiar with Indiana food service laws, but I would think they are similar to Kentucky's. You cannot bring in off premise food for sale unless it is prepared in a licensed and inspected commercial kitchen.

I figured that may be an issue. What if anyone wanting to consume the bbq or off premises food was required to sign a waiver stating if they died then they were releasing all liability claims?

If not then what about a cool outdoor setting? I don't think alchohol is allowed in parks but I'm sure we could find something that'd be cool.

How about an all day "Craft Beer and BBQ Fest"....

We could start early to get the smokers fired up and the meat cooking...

Roger, could you have lots of great beer delivered by say 8am? I'm thinking this is turning out to be a great beer for breakfast excuse.

Anyone have any ideas for venues?

I'm not familiar with Indiana food service laws, but I would think they are similar to Kentucky's. You cannot bring in off premise food for sale unless it is prepared in a licensed and inspected commercial kitchen.

We might be able to get around this by doing this outside an establishment. If you hold it as more of a picnic, rather than something in a restaurant, you should be able to get away with it. Churches do this all the time with pot lucks and things like that. Heck, my parents used to do a wild-fry every fall in the parking lot of the store back when we had a bar. The hunters would prepare their catches and they would be served up buffet style. Nothing I personally cared for, but I know they did this for several years.A simple temporary beer and wine permit should suffice for the beer, that should take care of the legalities on the beverage side.

Depending on the size of the event, we could do this in my parking lot, or if it needs a space bigger than that, I know of several places that we could get at a decent rate, especially if there is a charity involved.

ohhhhh yes, this sound good

lets see,
KY bbq co - is good bbq, with a good beer selection, although i found server knowledge to be lacking (as is so often the case), and they really need beer menus on the tables

FABD is also a favorite, and although the list isn't huge, it is adequate (excepting the lack of belgians)

i personally would love to see some great Brisket with a St Bernardus or Rochefort

the Nach bar has a great partio and a fantastic beer list..... maybe that would be a good neutral location for the meat smokers to congregate

I'd love to see this happen either as a formal BBQ/Beer dinner or an informal BBQ and beer party
(our second option when considering opening the CPC was the Charlestwon Barbecue Company)

Let me add that for starters, doing it at a place like the KY BBQ CO might be the best idea. It would allow for research (ahem) by a smaller group before unleashing the idea on an unsuspecting planet.

Being a scientist, I'm all in favor of some research. Like I said, I still need to head over there myself and I think this has the makings of a small offline.

Would anyone else be up for a trip to the Kentucky BBQ company to investigate the relationship between barbecue and beer? We would hopefully draw some important conclusions that could be utilized in the formulating of the actual barbecue event. All in the name of Science, of course.