It’s no secret. As ocean lovers, we’re obsessed with Shark Week here at The Road Les Traveled. When one of your bucket list items is “swimming with sharks,” you bet the Discovery Channel is on our TV 24/7 this week. What goes perfectly with binge watching? Fin-tastic seafood bites and cold brews! We’ve been hard at work in the kitchen to bring you some jaw-some shark week pairings. Ready? Let’s Grab A Beer!

Crab Cakes & IPA

Who doesn’t love crab cakes? Though a dish many are intimidated by, crab cakes are insanely easy to make at home. We added a touch of heat into ours, which pairs perfectly with the herbal and bitter flavors of an IPA.

Ingredients

• 1 Pound crab meat
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
• 1 Tablespoon mayo
• 1/2 Tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 Egg
• 1 Celery stalk (optional. we like things crunchy.)
• 2 Teaspoons chopped parsley
• 1 (0r 2) Dashes of hot sauce
• 1 Dash Old Bay seasoning

Directions

Combine all ingredients well in mixing bowl. Form into patties on greased baking sheet.

Broil in oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly brown. Or if you enjoy frying things like we do, pan fry patties in olive oil in large pan. 🙂

Drizzle with lemon juice and serve with a nice frosty IPA.

Lobster Rolls & Hefeweizen

The creamy buttery taste of a lobster roll (are you drooling yet?) complements the semi-sweet wheat notes of a Hefeweizen.

Ingredients

• 4 Cups cooked lobster meat (We boiled ours for about 12 minutes.)
• 2 Tablespoons of low-fat mayo
• 1 Celery stalk
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 Dash of hot sauce
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 4 Buttered Hot dog buns or 6 Hawaiian sweet rolls

Directions

Combine the first six ingredients in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

While you’re welcome to use hot dog buns or rolls of your choice, we chose Hawaiian sweet rolls because they are delicious and make for the cutest little sliders. Whichever you choose, lightly butter and toast your buns, and then fill with delicious lobster concoction. Enjoy while sipping on a refreshing Hefeweizen.

Grilled Tuna & Pilsner

Confession: These are two of my favorite things, and they are an actual real life pairing, a fact that came straight from the brewmaster’s mouth! I took that as permission to make this on a weekly basis, shark week be damned. The hoppy flavor and dry finish of the beer counterbalance the meatiness of the fish. Or so they tell me. I just think they’re both super delicious. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 tuna filets (I used Ahi this time.)
• 4 Tablespoons Hawaiian seasoning rub (This Aloha Seafood Rub is my go to.)
• Olive Oil
• Lemon Juice

Directions

Drizzle olive oil on both sides of tuna steaks. Generously cover both sides in seasoning rub.

Spray a hot grill pan (or grill) with non-stick cooking spray. Grill both sides of tuna steaks for about 4 minutes each (or less or more depending on how rare you like your tuna). Just spritz on lemon juice and serve with a light refreshing Pilsner.

What are you munching on for Shark Week? Just remember, anything can go with a cold stout, so #DrinkBeer!