What could be more dad-day friendly than some beer recipes on the BBQ? To celebrate, I got together with one of my favourite friends and foodies, Matt Basile of Fidel Gastros for a little Father’s Day Beer & BBQ Throwdown!

Now, Matt and I may be close friends and we’re actually a lot alike in many ways (ask our respective partners), but our cooking styles couldn’t be more different. I’m a dietitian, so I try my best to keep things light, where Matt is famous for dishes like Pad Thai fries (with loads of butter) and bacon breakfast burgers. But alas, we decided to go head to head with our two favourite beer recipes using Steam Whistle beer.

Panzanella Salad
Beer Recipes 101
I opted for a delicious Panzanella Salad with a variety of fresh summer vegetables, whole grain bread and a delicious Steam Whistle beer vinaigrette. Steam Whistle is perfect for a light summer salad because the light effervescence helps to balance out the oil in the vinaigrette and lets me cut down on the oil without making the vinaigrette too acidic or watery.

Steam Whistle Glazed Ribs
Matt opted for a rack of ribs with a tasty Steam Whistle BBQ sauce, which may have had a lot of steps, but it was totally worth the work.

Steam Whistle Beergarita
While we were grilling away, we decided to wash down our beer recipes with… MORE BEER! A beergarita! It’s pretty much the simplest cocktail recipe to remember but it’s guaranteed to be a hit at your Father’s Day bash. And after all those cocktails, we couldn’t decide a winner (go figure), so for now, let’s call it a tie (until next time…)

More of a visual person? Check out our hilarious YouTube collaboration here!
What are your favourite beer recipes? Do you have a go-to beer brand that you would like to add to your recipes?

This delicious Panzanella Salad has a variety of fresh summer vegetables, whole grain bread and a delicious Steam Whistle beer vinaigrette. Steam Whistle beer helps to balance out the oil in the vinaigrette and cuts down on the oil without making the vinaigrette too acidic or watery.
- 1 tbsp finely minced shallots
- 2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/3 cup Steam Whistle beer
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- pinch Generous of fleur de sel and pepper
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 romaine lettuce head cut in half lengthwise
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 3 bell peppers cut into quarters and flattened
- 1 zucchini halved lengthwise
- 1/2 ciabatta loaf halved lengthwise
- 1 clove garlic cut in half
- 2 oz reduced fat feta cheese crumbled
- 1/4 cup torn basil
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In a mason jar or small bowl, whisk together the shallots, vinegar, juice, mustard, honey, beer and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
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Heat a grill to medium and lightly brush the lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and bread with olive oil and a sprinkle of fleur de sel and pepper. Grill the vegetables until lightly charred: 4 minutes per side for peppers and zucchini, 2 minutes per side for bread and romaine and 1 minute per side for tomatoes.
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Roughly chop the vegetables (except the tomatoes which can be left whole). Brush the toasted bread with the cut garlic pieces until fragrant and tear into 3/4” pieces. Mix together in a bowl with torn basil and cheese.
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Add the dressing to the salad and toss until coated. Enjoy.
This Beer Margarita is pretty much the simplest cocktail recipe to remember but it’s guaranteed to be a hit at your Father’s Day bash.
- 12 oz frozen limeade concentrate
- 12 oz tequila
- 12 oz water
- 12 oz Steam Whistle beer
- Lime cut into wedges
- Ice
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Mix together in a large pitcher and enjoy.
Matt opted for a rack of ribs with a tasty Steam Whistle BBQ sauce, which may have had a lot of steps, but it was totally worth the work.
- 1 rack pork back ribs or St. Louis cut side ribs
- 1 can Steam Whistle Pilsner tall can
- 1 Tbsp kosher salt
- 1 Tbsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 4 oz maple syrup divided
- 2 oz ketchup
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 oz molasses
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Place the ribs in a large container and soak the ribs in the Steam Whistle beer for at least one hour. Mix the salt, pepper and paprika together. Remove the ribs from the beer bath and rub the seasoning mixture all over the meaty side of the ribs. Brush the ribs with 2 oz of maple syrup.
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Preheat your BBQ to 450 F and sear the ribs on high heat (open lid) for 6 minutes meat side down and then flip and grill for another 4 minutes. Remove the ribs off the grill and turn one side of the BBQ off to bring down the internal temperature to 300 F. Make a layering of tinfoil, butcher paper and parchment paper. Spread out the brown sugar on the parchment, then the ketchup, molasses, maple syrup and a little more beer. Tent wrap the ribs and place on indirect heat on your BBQ for about 2 hours. When you remove let the ribs rest for about 15 minutes, then unwrap your ribs, cut into twos and enjoy!
Disclaimer: The preceding recipes and video were developed in paid partnership with Steam Whistle beer, however, as always, all opinions are genuine.
My favourite thing to do with Steam Whistle is drink it with friends!
My favourite thing to do with Steam Whistle is to enjoy it ice cold on a patio!
I like it cold and on my deck! For cooking, I use it for pulled pork
Love to drink it nice and cold & also use it to make some beer battered northern Ontario pickeral with potato wedges and corn.
I love to cook with it, as well as drink it of course! A bottle poured in with my brisket makes it so tender and delicious. 😀
It gives my stir fry a great taste!
Drink it of course!
You can’t beat drinking it
Enjoying really cold Steam Whistle with friends.
Have a drink on the Steamwhistle Brewery patio!
Their brewery tour 🙂
I run a lot, and often participate in “beer mile” races. (400m x4 laps, beer every lap). Around 60 people participate per race, and I would guess that 90% choose steam whistle as their beer, which is a huge honour. It’s honestly the best beer for any occasion 🙂
Drink it 🙂
My favourite Steam Whistle story from when it first came out – I was in a restaurant at Bayview and Sheppard and ordered a Steam Whistle. The waiter came back and said, “I’m sorry, sir, the bartender doesn’t know how to make a Steam Whistle.” So I said, “Just open and pour.”
My Superbowl chili is made and served SteamWhistle beer. And my vintage openers are on display to use to open cold ones throughout the day.
My Favorite thing to do with Steam Whislte Beer is Share it with Friends
Sit on a patio & share with friends!
I love steamwhistle with friends and family in my backyard
I love to drink it with friends at cottages!
I like to drink it alongside something spicy and delicious!
Steam whistle + BBQ, always!
So succulent!
Is it wrong that I want to put some tequila in this?! Haha! Looks super refreshing!