Barbecue, friends and beer - a winning classic

Rupen Nacaroglu of Bisbino Sagl, who produces not only the well-known gin and bitters but also beer, knows this well. Yes, a beer Matta that seems to be perfect for summer evenings with friends.

Rupen Nacaroglu tells us about his connoisseur preferences for beer on the grill...

Beer and grills, a winning combination?

Absolutely! Now that we are entering the summer season, what could be better than enjoying long days and evenings with friends in front of a hot grill, with a cold beer in hand? With one addition: preferably local, our beer Matta Blonde.

Is beer more important in the marinade or as a drink during grilling?

One doesn't rule out the other: a good marinade with beer will make the meat even tastier, although I personally also like marinades with lots of spices. And then, during the barbecue, beer must absolutely accompany every toast and always be on hand!

The perfect marinade with beer, how do you makeit?
I am not a chef, but I do know that marinading meat with beer not only makes it tastier, it also makes it more tender. The classic recipe has one part fat, one part sour and one part spicy. In this case, I like to use extra virgin olive oil, beer and rosemary (with the addition of salt and a clove of garlic if you like). For me, these are the perfect ingredients to marinate the meat that will end up on the grill.

Timing?
I leave the meat to marinate for about 6 hours, and success is always guaranteed.

What kind of beer goes best with grilled meat?
There are different schools of thought: some prefer more important, intense and very tasty beers, while others believe that a fresh, light beer such as our Birra Matta Bionda is best with grilled meat. It's a matter of taste, but I recommend that you try your hand at marinating meat with different beers: I am sure that sooner or later you will find your own perfect combination. It's classic hard work, which someone has to do (laughs).

And if you were grilling fish, what kind of beer would you pair it with?
With fish, I personally prefer beers that are a bit more acidic and go better with lighter grilled meats. A good marinade with beer will make the meat even tastier, I also like marinades with lots of spices.

To be honest, I have not yet tried it with fish, but I am convinced that the beer Matta Blanche would be a perfect match. I will try it soon and...I will let you know!

A tip from an expert on the combination of beer and grill?
First beer in the marinade, then a sip of beer with friends, then stand at the grill with beer in hand, then beer again at the table enjoying the barbecue and then, to finish, beer again with friends while chatting and enjoying the moment. In short: beer during a convivial evening with friends or family is always appreciated, from the beginning to the end of the party.

But remember that although it has a fairly low alcohol content, it is still an alcoholic beverage, so consume it in moderation, and don't get behind the wheel if you have been drinking.

At the end of the barbecue, what can you drink to (try to) lighten up with taste? Bitter, preferably local and natural. I would tend to choose our Amaro Generoso Classico, which is fresher and more drinkable. A real treat for the palate to end the evening on a high note and kick-start digestion.

	Beer Matta Bio : Delicate and light An unfiltered blonde with moderate alcohol content. The original recipe, based on organic malt and hops, gives it clean, smooth, sweet and slightly fruity notes. The genuine simplicity of Birra Matta still surprises: always light and sincere.
	Beer Matta Blanche: High-fermented It is not filtered and remains slightly cloudy. It is distinguished by its pale yellow colour and a fine, white, persistent foam. The use of wheat gives it its typical slightly acidic flavour, which combined with the citrus and spicy notes make it fresh and refreshing.

Via Corriere del Ticino 16 June 2021