The dog days of summer are here, and we humans need refreshment! But first, a little astronomy lesson.”Dog Days” doesn’t refer to the heat and humidity of summer, and the notion that your dog is panting constantly between chasing squirrels and lapping water from the bowl. Nope, the heat outside is coincidental.
From early July to mid August, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Big Dog) rises and sets with the sun. It’s name is Sirius, aka “The Dog Star”. Old timers around the area of the Mediterranean Sea thought the star added heat to the day, but we modern types need to give ’em a break. After all, some of them thought Zeus and his cohorts lived on a mountain and guided their lives, while others felt they must entomb their fallen leaders inside giant pyramids. And yet we should genuflect to one culture particularly, the Sumerians, as those rascals invented beer! Dog Star heat believers, you are all forgiven.
I get into fruit infused brews and wines and in the summer. Whether it’s well made beers and ales or a tasty sangria, they’re ultimately refreshing. This recipe jumps off the concept of sangria, which adds fruit and its juices to wine, by doing the same with beer. Scale this recipe up for parties! Or scale it down just for you. Makes 6-8 servings.
Ingredients
One dozen fresh strawberries, chopped (Buy local, juicy ones – not those big cardboard tasting imposters from California)
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup cherry liqueur (Grand Marnier makes a great one. Dr. McGillicuddy’s is a decent one, too)
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
4 12-oz. bottles or 48 oz. of your favorite MN crafted pale lager or pilsner
Directions
In a glass bowl, combine all ingredients except the beer. Stir gently to both extract juices from the fruit and dissolve as much sugar as possible. Cover and put in the fridge for at least an hour, stirring every now and again.
When ready to serve, divide the fruit mix equally into glasses – mugs are best. Gently pour beer into the glass, and give a little stir. Mmmmmm.