Where there's hops, there's hope: cooking with beer

In 2018, the International Herb Association is celebrating a herb that holds a dear place in our hearts: hops. We're celebrating with beer-based recipes.

Brown crabs in beer Source: Adam Liaw

1. Dad's beer battered flathead with tartare sauce

Turns out that beer doesn't just go well with fish and chips, but well in it—beer adds body and lightness to a batter.

Dad's beer battered fish and chips. Source: Andy and Ben Eat Australia, Food Network

2. Bacon, beer and rosemary jam

When you have the genius idea to turn your favourite combination of things into a jam.

Bacon, beer and rosemary jam. Source: Smith Street Books

3. Brown crabs in beer with brown butter mayonnaise

Brown isn't always the best adjective when it comes to food, but when it's describing a variety of crab and the butter that's been mixed through some mayonnaise to serve with it, it is.

Brown crabs in beer with brown butter mayonnaise. Source: Adam Liaw

4. Belgian beef and beer stew

Tuck into this rich and meaty stew and forget that you ever felt cold or hungry, ever.

Belgian beef and beer stew. Source: The Washington Post

5. Mussels with a spicy beer sabayon gratin

Confused about a beer sabayon? Don't be. You may be used to seeing sabayon - a creamy sauce made with egg yolks whisked over heat until they become light and fluffy - served with dessert, but here it's whisked with some of the mussel-cooking liquid, curry powder and beer, to give it a savoury, sweetly oceanic, and gently spiced flavour. The mussels are topped with this beer sabayon then popped under a grill very briefly before serving.

Mussels with a spicy beer sabayon gratin. Source: Benito Martin

6. Beer-barbecued lamb ribs

The layer of fat on lamb ribs makes them perfect for barbecuing, keeping them moister and tender. Marinating lamb ribs overnight before barbecuing in a mixture of paprika, brown sugar, salt, white pepper and beer makes them even more perfect.

Beer-barbecued lamb ribs. Source: Prue Ruscoe

7. Braised clams with beer and chorizo

Cider is often used when cooking clams, but beer works just as well, for a refreshing and less-sweet version. Getting a little bit of chorizo and a scoop of beer broth in each clamshell mouthful is the way to go.

Braised clams with beer and chorizo. Source: Alan Benson

8. Beer sozzled chicken with sage and garlic

With this one-pot wonder, you can cook your chicken and vegetables all in one—no need to roast anything separately. After an hour in the oven, remove the foil to cook for a further 20-30 minutes to crisp everything up.

Beer sozzled chicken with sage and garlic. Source: Matthew Evans

9. Beer-braised oxtail tartlet with bitter chocolate

Beef, dark beer and dark chocolate are a combination just as wicked as it sounds. The light cauliflower puree and peppery radish do well to balance out the richness.

Beer-braised oxtail tartlet with bitter chocolate.

10. Beef Guinness pie with blue cheese pastry

Be sure to rest the filling completely before adding it to your pastry, otherwise you'll have a meltdown situation—first of your pie, and then of you, as you'll have to start it over. The other situation to try and avoid is the temptation to eat all the beef and Guinness filling while it's cooling!

Beef Guinness pie with blue cheese pastry. Source: Poh & Co. 2