delicious Beer-Infused BBQ Sauce Recipes for summer grilling!
Summer is here, and you know what that means. It's time to dust off the tongs, fire up the grill, and embrace the glorious, smoky season of backyard barbecues. The only thing that makes a perfectly grilled burger or a rack of ribs even better? A truly epic, homemade BBQ sauce.
And the secret ingredient to taking your sauce from "good" to "legendary"? You guessed it: a splash of your favourite craft beer.
Adding beer to your BBQ sauce builds incredible layers of flavour that you just can’t get from a bottle. The malt adds a rich, caramelized sweetness, while the hops can provide a zesty, bitter balance.
Forget the store-bought stuff. We’re sharing two of our favourite, easy-to-make BBQ sauce recipes, each featuring a legendary Old Yale brew. Let’s get saucy!
Recipe 1: The Sasquatch’s Smoky Stout BBQ Sauce
The Beer: Our award-winning Sasquatch Stout.
The Vibe: Rich, dark, smoky, and complex with notes of coffee and chocolate. This is a bold sauce for bold flavours.
This sauce is your go-to for anything that loves a deep, smoky flavour. The roasty notes of our Sasquatch Stout create a deep, molasses-like complexity that is absolutely unforgettable.
What You'll Need:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup (250ml) Old Yale Sasquatch Stout
1 cup ketchup
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
Step-by-Step:
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Pour in the Sasquatch Stout to deglaze the pan, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to cook off some of the alcohol and reduce slightly.
Whisk in the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for at least 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
For a smooth sauce, carefully use an immersion blender or transfer the cooled sauce to a regular blender and blend until smooth.
Perfect For: Slathering on pork ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, grilled chicken wings, or as a rich dipping sauce for steak.
Recipe 2: The West Coast IPA’s Tangy Gold BBQ Sauce
The Beer: Our classic West Coast IPA.
The Vibe: Tangy, bright, and zesty with a hoppy kick. This is a vibrant sauce that cuts through richness and adds a pop of flavour.
Inspired by Carolina-style sauces, this recipe uses the bright, citrusy, and piney notes of our IPA to create a tangy, mustard-based sauce that’s a refreshing change of pace.
What You'll Need:
1 cup prepared yellow mustard
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup Old Yale West Coast IPA
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp garlic powder
A dash of your favourite hot sauce (optional, for a kick)
Step-by-Step:
This one couldn't be simpler! In a medium bowl, whisk together all the ingredients until everything is completely combined and the brown sugar has dissolved.
You can use it right away, but for the best flavour, transfer it to a jar and let it sit in the fridge for at least a few hours (or overnight) to allow the flavours to meld together.
The sauce will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Perfect For: Drizzling over grilled chicken, pork chops, sausages, or as an amazing pretzel dip. It’s also our secret weapon for making burgers taste incredible.
Ready, Set, Grill!
There you have it—two simple ways to elevate your summer grilling game. The best part is experimenting and making them your own!
Swing by one of our Old Yale Brewing locations in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, or Beaumont to grab the essential ingredients, and get ready to become the undisputed champion of your neighbourhood BBQ circuit.
Happy grilling, and don't forget to #TasteTheAdventure!

