All Hail to the Golden God of Summer

When we talk about food that’s associated with summer in Canada, there are plenty of delicious options that come to mind. Cool and refreshing fruits and berries are popular choices along with tossed salads, potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salads, veggie trays, and sweet corn. Steak, burgers, chicken, fish, or pretty much anything on the barbeque are also much loved summer staples.

When you’re done with the main meal and ready for a yummy dessert, who can resist a creamy and delicious ice cream cake, or strawberry shortcake, or a chocolate/vanilla twister soft serve from the ice cream truck? If you’re looking for something a little healthier, frozen yogurt or a bowl of fresh fruit and berries are excellent alternatives.

There are so many choices of appetizers, mains, and dessert items that I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite if I tried.

So I won’t, at least not from the traditional “food” items I listed. You see, when I think of a food that I consider an absolute necessity of summertime, I think of the bubbly golden nectar in a brown bottle or can – beer.

What??? “Beer is not food,” you vehemently protest!

Well, I beg to differ. If you can throw spinach or kale in a blender with some soy milk and call that food, then I can bow to the golden god of hops and barley.

Still don’t believe me? Put some beer in the freezer to chill and forget about it for an hour. Trust me, it’s food!

It also tastes way better than kale, which I am totally convinced was discovered by some unfortunate starving soul who ran out of grass, weeds, tree bark, rocks and dog shit. But I digress.

I could go an entire winter without ever having a drop of the golden lager pass my lips. However, when the sun sits high in the sky as the temperature rises, my taste for beer reawakens with a vengeance. Whether it be time spent sitting on the dock at a cottage after a refreshing swim in the lake, or lounging poolside in the back yard, nothing quenches my thirst better on a hot summer day than a cold beer.

There are so many varieties to choose from; the most common being ale, lager, porter, stout, and blonde. My go-to is a popular brand light lager, but I do like to dabble in craft beers occasionally, especially from local breweries. The fact that I can buy them in singles is particularly helpful, as well. Who wants to purchase a six or twelve pack of beer that you may not like? Not this girl.

My preference will always be lager or blonde, but I am willing to try different ales as well. I do not recommend stout. Well, unless you actually enjoy the taste of licking out an ashtray. But hey, you do you.

Beer goes with pretty much anything. The previously mentioned steak, chicken or burgers? Yes, indeed. Does it go with meats, fish or salads? Absolutely, it does. Hot dogs toasted over an open fire? Of course! Fruit? Why not throw a slice or two in your glass. It all goes with beer, even marshmallows toasted on a stick (don’t argue).

What if you don’t drink alcohol?

They have non-alcoholic beers available, and some are actually very good.

What if you don’t particularly like the taste of beer?

What the hell is wrong with you? Just kidding, that’s more for me.

So whether I’m enjoying an evening out with best friends, cheering on the home team at a ball game, relaxing around the fire at a family get together, or just appreciating a quiet moment on the deck with my favourite golden girl, nothing beats the taste of a tall cool glass of the golden god of summer.

"Now toss some wings on the barbie, Bro, and crack me open a cold one!"

Cheers