Hearty snacks for a party serving mostly beer?

Hosting a craft beer "cocktail" party. Starts at 8, no one is expecting dinner, but we want hearty snacks that can be at room temp, and if possible, won't require last minute cooking. Favorites? We are going to do some spiced popcorn, the barefoot contessa onion dip. What else?

Danizmango
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24 Comments

kimhw June 7, 2014
Do a variety of skewers. Cherry tomato, basil and mini mozzarella. Grilled kielbasa, cheddar and sour dough bread. Grilled chicken with grilled veggies. Shrimp, grilled mango and bacon. The varieties are endless. Many can be served cold, but all can be arranged earlier and grilled for just a second.
 
ATG117 June 7, 2014
My go-tos are spiced nuts, a few dips (think: white bean or hummus, roasted red pepper, pea puree, carrot, guac, etc) served with toasted pita squares, cheese plate with various dried and fresh fruits, good potato chips, maybe a crostini, and good olives, to name a few.
 
Susan W. June 6, 2014
I made the Spanish Trail Mix. It's awesome. I had an ice cold Widmer Hef with it. Also awesome. :0)
 
TobiT June 6, 2014
Funny - I had almost none if the STM ingredients on hand, but after that exchange I had such a hankering for that recipe that I had some almonds sprinkled with smoked paprika and popped open a summit summer ale. Tasty start to the weekend. Still, coulda used some if that chorizo, manchego and apricots....
 
Sam1148 June 6, 2014
Scotch Eggs...boiled eggs wrapped in sausage (Jimmy dean mild is fine).
Make little ball and dent it and push in the peeled boiled egg and work the sausage around the egg so it's enclosed.
One pack of sausage will make about 6.

Then roll them in bread crumbs and bake for about 40 mins until the sausage is done and their brown. (Google baked scotched eggs).
Cut in half and serve with a mustard sauce.
 
Maedl June 6, 2014
The beer garden classic, Obatzda, a cheese spread that gets better the day after it is made (recipe at http://www.bavaria.by/b90f54d0-4849-4a0a-7842-09896237eaa1.html, radisheswith sea salt and butter, a good sourdough rye bread, thick chewy pretzels, a selection of good sausages like salami, Thuringer, landjaeger, and several kinds of cheese.
 
TobiT June 6, 2014
Toasted whole almonds tossed with orange zest and cumin (also toasted), cubed, hard cured chorizo and cubed manchego cheese. I found a recipe for this odd-seeming combo on epicurious not long ago - it intrigued me and sure enough was delicious! At the time I made it I remember thinking: man, this would be great for a beer tasting party!
Can make it a couple days in advance.
 
Danizmango June 6, 2014
Are these together in one bowl? Really interesting.
 
TobiT June 6, 2014
Yes! All together in one bowl, though you don't mix in the chorizo or cheese until the almonds, cumin and zest have cooled down. Chorizo and cheese were in about 1 cm cubes. Oh! And I almost forgot - recipe also called for diced dried apricots, which added even more texture and flavor. I will try to dig up the epicurious link so you can see the proportions. Seriously yummy stuff.
 
TobiT June 6, 2014
The recipe is Spanish Trail Mix on epicurious. (Couldnt grab the link but a search will pull it right up). But I guess my memory is going because I missed the boat on two key ingredients: instead of cumin it uses smoked paprika (emphasizing the smoked) - altho I suppose cumin wouldn't be bad either - and just like I forgot the apricots I also forgot that it called for pitted dates. Anyway, I stand by my earlier claims, even though I was off on some if the details: delicious, easy, and would be great for beer tasting.
 
Susan W. June 6, 2014
TobiT, this sounds so good, fun and easy. I want to have a beer party now. :0)
 
sexyLAMBCHOPx June 6, 2014
Here's the recipe. I have to try this ASAP! http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Spanish-Trail-Mix-363089
 
sexyLAMBCHOPx June 6, 2014
Not sure what's up with the link, but go to Epicurious site and search for Spnaish Trail Mix.
 
cookbookchick June 6, 2014
I just looked on Epicurious -- this sounds fabulous! Let's have a beer party!
 
TobiT June 6, 2014
This thread has my mouth watering!
 
Tony S. June 6, 2014
I would lean towards food that pairs well with your beer selections. If you have an assortment of beers, pair a small bite with each. Some suggestions:

IPA or Pale Ale- Sweet/Salty/Spicy is a good option here. Perhaps https://food52.com/recipes/246-spicy-shrimp. I like to make a raita to dip the shrimp in for those that like it a little more tame. Or you could riff on shrimp cocktail with a Thai or Vietnamese lean.

Porter or Stout- You could go with pretzel and mustard or a nice sausage "pig in a blanket" style paired with a good mustard.

Pilsner or Lager- Some kind of oyster. Search for oyster recipes on this site and you will find tons. On the half shell grilled/broiled with a compound butter would be great and it wouldn't scare the non-raw crowd away.

Wheat/Hefeweizen- Something along the salad line. Perhaps a skewered caprese salad. Or a crostini with a mild goat cheese and some other topping. I like to make a caramelized onion/garlic jam -https://food52.com/recipes/25277-goat-ricotta-crostini-with-spicy-onion-garlic-jam

Lambic/Fruit- Serve with a small bite of dessert. Mini cheesecakes, a neutral cracker topped with blue cheese and fig drizzled with honey or the same cracker and blue topped with a nice fruit preserve.

 
Danizmango June 6, 2014
Thanks, all, these are good. I have been thinking about deviled eggs but haven't done them before and wasn't sure how labor-intensive they are. Unfortunately my afternoon is stocked with attending kid birthday parties and while we're usually up for a culinary challenge, this might not be the time.
 
cookbookchick June 6, 2014
Deviled eggs are easy -- you can do them ahead and refrigerate them. They always go like hot cakes! Also pigs in blankets, a tradition at all our kids' birthday parties. We do them the easy way with canned Vienna sausages and ready-made croissant dough (such as Pillsbury) -- cut each piece in half, wrap one sausage with each half of dough. Bake 'em up and serve with a bowl of good mustard. These also always get hoovered!
 
cookbookchick June 6, 2014
I know the pigs in blankets aren't up to Food52 standards for home cooking, but I dare you to eat just one!
 
Danizmango June 6, 2014
Thanks, all, these are good. I have been thinking about deviled eggs but haven't done them before and wasn't sure how labor-intensive they are. Unfortunately my afternoon is stocked with attending kid birthday parties and while we're usually up for a culinary challenge, this might not be the time.
 
dinner A. June 6, 2014
Green pea cilantro spread (recipe from the blog Chocolate and Zucchini: http://chocolateandzucchini.com/recipes/dips-spreads/green-pea-cilantro-spread-recipe/) with thinly sliced dense whole grain bread. It is delicious and the most amazing green color that doesn't dull at all.
A note on the recipe -- I steam frozen peas for about 5 minutes, while the recipe suggested 14 minutes which seemed way too long. I also like it with other herbs like mint and parsley in addition, and some lemon juice.
 
Susan W. June 6, 2014
I love serving deviled eggs. I make several kinds and garnish each one with paprika, fresh herb sprig or a little square of pancetta. Roasted shrimp with a spicy dip are something that always get raves and are very easy. Bruschetta are also fun.
 
sexyLAMBCHOPx June 6, 2014
Sourdough pretzels with mustard come to mind. Did you search recipes? Bet you would find some delicious options.
 
sexyLAMBCHOPx June 6, 2014
I often make tempura battered fried pickles spears for alternative party gatherings.
 
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