Course: Side Dish | Beer Style: Pale Ale

Sweet and Spicy Beer Pickles

These beer pickles made with pale ale have a sweet flavor with a spicy punch. They are the perfect addition to burgers or a charcuterie board.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Yield: 4-6 half pint jars

Ingredients

3 lbs pickling cucumbers, washed, ends trimmed and sliced 1/8" thin on a mandolin or with a sharp knife

12 oz pale ale

1/4 cup water

1 cup white distilled vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

1 Tbsp salt

1 Tbsp yellow or brown mustard seeds

1 Tbsp black peppercorns

1/2 tsp of red chili flakes (optional - omit or add more based on your taste)

2-3 crushed garlic cloves (optional)

To make these beer pickles, in a medium saucepan combine pale ale, water, vinegar, sugar and salt.
Place over medium-high heat and stir occasionally to dissolve sugar.
Bring to a simmer and then turn off heat.
In a clean, large glass jar (or a multiple smaller jars) distribute cucumber slices, mustard seeds, garlic and chili flakes.
Pour the pickling liquid over the cucumbers and spices, making sure that they are completely covered.
At this point, if you’re preserving the pickles, you’ll seal them using a canning water bath and process for ten minutes.
Preserved pickles can be kept in a cool dark place for up to six months.
Refrigerate after opening. If not, seal the jar or jars and let rest in the refrigerator for at least two days before eating.