Fresno Beerita

Alice Miller

For the Havre Daily News

Summer is just around the corner with warmer weather moving into the Hi-Line, and Triple Dog Brewing owners Michael and Erin Garrity created a beer cocktail for people to toast the sunshine. Beer and summer go hand in hand, Micheal said, adding that warmer weather encourages people to be more social.

“I don’t know what it is, but it’s just amazing,” he said.

For Erin, a cold beer after yard work is the ultimate reward.

To amp it up, though, they added tequila to Triple Dog’s Fresno Wheat for a Fresno Beerita.

Erin said they chose the light beer because of its popularity with customers.

“It’s kind of an everybody’s beer,” she said, adding that the brewery goes through about 20 kegs of Fresno Wheat in two weeks.

Tequila and margaritas are another two of Erin’s favorites, so the combination with the wheat beer was a natural for the no-fuss cocktail.

“It’s very easy to make and it’s cold,” Erin said, adding they taste-tested to reach the perfect balance.

To mix it up, use red grenadine for extra sweetness or add orange juice for a citrus note, she suggested.

An IPA or any other light-colored beer, such as TDB’s Sweaty Cap Green Tea seasonal brew, could be substituted for the Fresno Wheat, Michael said.

Triple Dog does not sell liquor but people can take a growler of beer home with them and mix it with whatever spirits they prefer.

“I would say stick with colors,” Michael said.

For best results, pair light beers with light liquors and dark beers with dark liquors and throw in ice cream or flavored syrups for another flavor dimension. Think about different flavors that go well together, such as salty and sweet. For example, try a chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream in a porter, Michael said.

Recipes are as simple as two ingredients or can be more complex.

If inspiration is needed for a starting point, a quick Internet search turns up dozens of recipes with ingredients ranging from hibiscus syrup to hot sauce and from champagne to whiskey.

A popular beer cocktail is the Shandy, which typically blends equal parts beer and ginger ale, ginger beer or carbonated lemonade.

Beer cocktails, including the Fresno Beerita, can be made as a pitcher for barbecues or other summer gatherings. Another batch beer cocktail example is the Sidewalker, from Bon Appétit. The recipe calls for applejack, lemon juice, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, a Hefeweizen and club soda.

Whatever your favorite beer is, just use your imagination and have fun taste testing, Michael said.

FRESNO BEERITA

12 ounces Fresno Wheat beer

6 ounces frozen lime concentrate

4 ounces tequila

1 lime, sliced

margarita salt

Blend all ingredients together. Rub lime wedge around rim of glass and dip the glass in margarita salt to coat. Pour beerita into glass. Garnish with lime wedge.

(This story originally ran in the April edition of the Living Magazine.)