Cooking and Drinking – Beer Shrimp Boil with Cocktail Sauce

Beer Shrimp Boil

48 oz. Recommended Beer

2 lbs. White Shrimp (tail-on)
2 tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, bring the beer to a boil.  Rinse the shrimp and add them to the beer.  Starting at three minutes, check individual shrimps for pinkness throughout.  Once achieved, strain the shrimp and pour them into a large serving bowl.  Cover with the Old Bay and toss to coat the shrimp evenly.  Add salt and pepper according to preference.

Chef’s Note:  It is the opinion of this author that there is little to no difference in the final outcome of shrimp boiled in an expensive all-malt pilsner, and a cheap can of American adjunct lager.  It may be financially wiser to enjoy your expensive craft beer with the shrimp, and boil it in something that costs half the price. 

Cocktail Sauce

0.5 cup Ketchup

1 tbsp. Horseradish
2 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1 tbsp. Lemon Juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix ingredients in a serving bowl and refridgerate.

Beer Recommendation: 

Lagunitas Brewing Company (Petaluma, CA) – Pils

Czech Style Pilsner (available year round)

Just because this one comes via a boiling pot, doesn’t mean you need to remove yourself from the party.  Imagine yourself standing solo beside your stove, monitoring shrimp color, while the backyard party rages on outside without you.  Sad and lonely, isn’t it?  Now imagine yourself sporting a BBQ apron, an oversized slotted spoon in hand, a cold beer occasionally kissing you on the lips, and an entire party virtually under your thumb.  More awesome.  This victory can be achieved by picking up that old beer filled shrimp hot tub and rocking it straight on top of your barbeque.  It may be a bit charred by the end of the process, but it’s a small price to pay for BBQ immortality *.  Once complete, your stock can only go up when you drop that six pack of Lagunitas’ Pils on the picnic table beside your marine conquest.  The simply named Pils is clean and clear with a light graininess and mild Saaz hoppiness that should satiate even the most timid hop adversary.  Long live the craft lager. 

* Of course, this drama can be avoided entirely if you’ve got one of those fancy side burners on your grill.  Enjoy your get-together.

Glassware – Pilsner Glass

ABV – 6.2%
Serving Temperature – 40 to 45°F

Possible Substitutions: 

Bohemian Brewery & Grill (Midvale, UT) – Czech Pilsner

Czech Pilsner (available year round) 

This fizzy liquid gold out of the Great City of Salt is a refreshing treat for hot summer days.  The hops are crisp, the malt is biscuity, and the low ABV makes it über-sessionable.  Great beer from a great little brewery.

Oskar Blues Brewery (Lyons, CO) – Mama’s Little Yella Pils

Traditional Pilsner (available year round) 

Oskar Blues, the original craft can proponent, takes a step back from their normal bold flavors to make a nicely balanced lager.  This all-malt pilsner smells like fresh cut grass and tastes like a dream.  Perfect lubrication for freshly boiled shrimp.

Last Resort: 

Your local Czech or American style pilsner.

 

-Matt