Gathering for the last big cookout of the season this Labor Day Weekend? ENJOY these Wine, Beer & Spirits picks that pair perfectly with BBQ favorites!

Wine Pairings

• If you're serving hamburgers, steak, barbecued ribs, or beef tenderloin a big red wine like a Bordeaux, California Cabernet, and Barolo are perfect matches.  
• Pinot Noir is one of the most food-friendly red wines out there. It’s flavors are delicate enough to not overpower the food that you’re eating it with. It’s particularly tasty paired with smoked meats because Pinot Noir has an earthy, smoky quality to it.
• With aromas of strawberry, watermelon, and citrus, rosé has a good amount of acidity to it that stands up to grilled foods. Like Pinot Noir, Rosé can pair with a wide variety of dishes from seafood to grilled pork. It’s also a perfect match for veggie burgers or grilled turkey burgers.
• White wines are clearly suited to grilled fish and chicken, and some pork recipes, even those that call for blackened preparations or spice rubs. The high acidity in Sauvignon Blanc—or a Sancerre (made from the same grape)—pairs perfectly in this role.

Beer Pairings

• If bratwurst, hot dogs, or BBQ ribs are on the menu, a pilsner is the way to go. Why not go straight for the original with Pilsner Urquell?
• Brown ales are among the most versatile for BBQ food pairings. The nutty, caramel taste that is signature in this style is an excellent compliment to grilled foods with a smoky, sweet or spicy flavor.
• American Pale Ales have enough hoppiness to complement the spice flavors present in most BBQ, as well as enough malt to hold up to stronger, more savory flavors. An American Pale Ale will also have enough bright flavor notes to be refreshing and cleanse the palate.
• The lightly malty, bready backbone of a Vienna Lager or German Lager pairs beautifully with bratwursts, sausages and grilled chicken. 
• With a lower bitterness and balanced flavor Session IPAs have enough punch from hops to pair with fattier pork flavors & tangy BBQ. 

Spirits Pairings

• Barbecue and bourbon make an ideal pairing. Both are traditional foods of the southern United States, steeped in its culture and history, both are often enjoyed together, and each can be used to highlight the flavors of the other.
• Full-bodied rye is one of the whiskeys to stand up best to the juicy, fatty, beefy deliciousness of a well-marbled steak.
• Mezcal is best known for its smokiness, this potent artisanal alcohol can also be sweet, fruity, earthy, herbaceous, spicy and even chocolatey. This variety makes it ideal for a wide range of grilled foods.
• Amber rums with characteristics of vanilla & banana, with underlying notes of caramel, summer fruit & spice works well with spicy grilled foods. Especially with Caribbean-style barbecue, paired with flavors like pork and pineapple.