When we think about summer foods, our imaginations race to ice cream cones, grilled meats (burgers all around), juicy watermelon, fresh corn, and of course lobster rolls. Few meals feel more summery than the buttery, rich, briny lobster cradled by a crispy, toasted New England-style roll. If we can’t get it in roll form, no worries — lobster slathered in butter will satisfy us just fine, too. It’s the crustacean of the gods.
That’s why we’re so stoked that Saturday (June 15) is National Lobster Day. Sure, sure, this seems like a rather egregious food holiday, but the food is good so f-it! All that butter-covered lobster needs to be washed down with the right beverage, naturally, so we asked some of our favorite bartenders to tell us which beers they enjoy pairing with meaty lobster tails and claws. We don’t even care if butter dribbles past our elbows as long as we have to right beer to sip while we indulge.
Tired Hands Trendler Pils
Brian Morris, innovation brewer at Deep Ellum Brewing Company
Trendler Pils from Tired Hands Brewing Company has the perfect minerality, bitterness, and crispness to cut through the inevitable amount of butter you’ll consume with lobster.
Firestone Walker Pivo Pils
Joe Peach, head brewer at Kairoa Brewing Company
There is nothing like fresh lobster caught that morning, paired with a fresh, properly lagered, slightly hoppy pilsner. The faint sweetness from the lobster complements the fresh, clean lager yeast and the floral and herbal character provided by the hops, melds perfectly with dill, lemongrass, or parsley often used to season lobster.
Augustiner Helles
Phil Leinhart, brewmaster at Brewery Ommegang
Augustiner Helles by Augustiner-Bräu in Munich is a soft, delicate beer that’s perfect for a soft, delicate dish like lobster. The mild flavor and bright carbonation of the beer won’t overwhelm the sweet flavor of the lobster.
Tecate
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Yiga Miyashiro, director of brewing operations at Saint Archer Brewing Company
Tecate. Because lobster was and should be an everyday man’s peasant food. Lobster is just a big bug that can get pulled out of the rocks, boiled in some water and be cracked open to enjoy. Simple, delicious, and satisfying. Just like a Tecate. A little lime never hurts with either item.
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Doug Pominville Jr., head brewer at Thorn Brewing Co.
As a New Englander, nothing pairs better with lobstah than Sam’s Boston Lagah! Unless it’s that magical time of year when their Oktoberfest is available.
Dry Dock Apricot Blonde
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Brad Manske vice president of Viewhouse VH Beer
Dry Dock’s Apricot Blonde – it’s light and fruity. In a sense, that’s similar to pairing a chardonnay with a lobster roll – a no-brainer.
Sierra Nevada Summer Fest
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Carl Heinz, brewmaster at Breckenridge Brewery
I don’t eat a lot of lobster. But when I do, I prefer a beer that is not too overwhelming but still has an assertive flavor. Sierra Nevada’s Summer Fest is an excellent choice because it’s dry and crisp nature compliments well with the slightly sweet/buttery character of lobster meat.
Sapporo
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Eric Hernandez, brewer at Concrete Beach Brewery
Lobster really benefits from a lighter, crisper complementing beer, and my favorite is usually a Japanese dry ale, along the lines of Sapporo or Kirin. These beers allow the flavor of the lobster to shine while refreshing your palate at the same time.
Wylam Jakehead IPA
Scott Ungermann, brewmaster at Anchor Brewing
Wylam Jakehead IPA. I had one of these in Newcastle last year with some little crawdad type appetizers and it was absolutely brilliant – imagine it with a whole lobster tail. The bright citrus and juiciness of the beer combined with the succulence of the lobster would be perfect.
Industrial Arts Wrench
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‘Cheese’ Gelgand, brewer at Blue Point Brewing
It has to be an Industrial Arts Wrench. It’s Jesus Juice and delicious with seafood.
