Tailgate Idea: Burgers And Beers From Smashburger

With the exception of milkshakes, nothing accompanies a juicy, hearty burger like an ice-cold beer. We at The Daily Meal know how gourmet and creative burgers can get these days and with beer varieties as endless and varied as they are, there needs to be a science to making the best match. 

Football season is fast approaching and to us, that means one thing: tailgating. The day-, even weekend-long extravaganza leading up to the "big game," is often a sport in its own right, with lots of grilling, cooking, and drinking happening at stadium parking lots across the country. While burgers and dogs will suffice, take it up a notch and show off your culinary chops with the help of Smashburger.

Smashburger, the fast-casual "better burger" restaurant prides itself on using as much local fare as possible. And now, Smashburger has decided to merge two of the greats together: beer and burgers. Smashburger chief concept officer Tom Ryan has nailed the pairing process by connecting with local brewmasters in each market and creating burger and local craft beer pairings. So, those of you in Denver, Chicago, Houston, and a few other select cities, look out for a true great burger experience and a novel tailgate idea!

To better understand how the burgers and craft beers are matched with perfect precision, here's just a peek at what Smashburger's Tom Ryan and Goose Island brewmaster Brett Porter have paired together in Chicago.

The duo determined the best pairing for a variety of different burger recipes through a series of culinary criteria including flavor, texture, and aroma. Grab them before the game or take this idea and execute it at your own tailgate!

• Windy City Burger with Goose Island's Honker's Ale
              o Layers of melted Cheddar cheese, haystack onions, lettuce, tomato, and Gulden's spicy mustard on a pretzel bun pair well with this Goose Island flagship beer, as the Cheddar flavors from the burger help to enhance the roasty malt flavors in the beer while the acidity from the beer balances out the flavor from the onions. The warming spiciness of the mustard is also tamed by the malty sweetness of the Honker's Ale.If you like this burger, you'll love Tolo Burger Recipe

• Classic Burger with Goose Island's 312 Urban Wheat Ale
              o American cheese, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, onion, pickles, and a special tangy "Smash" sauce on an egg bun is a perfect match for the 312 Urban Wheat Ale, as the freshness of the beer complements the tang of the creamy signature "Smash" sauce. The clean, bright flavors of 312 do not overpower the delicate flavors of the burger. If you like this burger, you'll love The Ultimate Fondue Burger Recipe

• BBQ, Bacon, and Cheddar Burger with Goose Island's Matilda
              o Smokey and rich, Sweet Baby Ray's® BBQ Sauce, applewood-smoked bacon, Cheddar cheese, haystack onions, and an egg bun serve as a perfect backdrop to the bold flavors in Goose Island's Matilda beer. The spicy aroma of the beer complements the porky taste from the applewood-smoked bacon and the sweetness really enhances the sweet and spicy flavor aspects of the barbecue sauce. If you like this burger, you'll love The Cadillac Burger Recipe

• Mushroom Swiss with Goose Island's Pepe Nero
              o Garlic sautéed mushrooms, aged Swiss cheese, creamy mayo, and an egg bun are the perfect match for Goose Island's light-bodied Pepe Nero. The black pepper flavoring from the Pepe Nero goes perfectly with the black pepper seasoning on the burger. If you like this burger, you'll love The Best Burger Recipe

• Spicy Baja with Goose Island's India Pale Ale
              o Spicy and flavorful, fiery Pepper Jack cheese, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, onion, spicy chipotle mayo, fresh jalapeños, and a spicy chipotle bun offer the perfect balance to Goose Island's India Pale Ale. The fruity aromas and long hop finish from the beer is a great match for the fierce flavors from the burger. If you like this burger, you'll love Frita Cubana Burger Recipe 

• Avocado Club with Goose Island's 312 Urban Wheat Ale
              o Fresh avocado, applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, ranch dressing, mayo, and a multi-grain bun are a great match for Goose Island's classic 312 Urban Wheat Ale, as the smooth, creamy body from the beer goes perfectly with the creaminess of the burger. The spicy aroma of Cascade hops are a refreshing complement to the fresh avocado and cool ranch dressing. If you like this burger, you'll love Ultimate Sriracha Burger Recipe