Look, craft beer pairing really doesn’t need to be that serious, guys. Sometimes all you need is a table full of assorted party dips and snacks, and a plate piled high with that signature American cookout food: the hot dog.

We love a hot dog for its carefree simplicity. Throw it on the grill, throw it on a bun, throw on your favorite toppings, and well, you’ve just thrown yourself a party. But what’s a party without a few brewskis? That’s where we come in.

Read on to discover our favorite hot dog and beer combos. Yes, it’s true, we do have a highly educated team of brewers, chefs, and Certified Cicerone beer educators here at Great Lakes Brewing Company. But it just didn’t feel right to call them in for this one. So behold: our hardly definitive yet undeniably delicious craft beer and hot dog pairing guide.

Classic Mustard & Ketchup with Dortmunder Gold Lager

Dortmunder Gold Lager’s German style and balanced hop and malt flavors make it simpatico with so many different kinds of mustard, but we are partial to Dort’s own mustard: Bertman Original Dortmunder Gold Lager Mustard. Honestly, what a flex for Dortmunder Gold to pair so well with a hot dog and a mustard bearing its name. It’s no wonder Dort’s Cleveland’s favorite beer.

We know not everybody goes for ketchup on a dog, but the acidity of the tomato works well with Dort’s crisp finish, and our friends at Cleveland Ketchup add even more hometown flavor to the spread. Trust us, this is a gold-medal cookout combo.

Chili Cheese Dog with Edmund Fitzgerald Porter

Edmund Fitzgerald Porter is a classic chili beer. Its rich roasty notes pair well with slow-cooked meats and beans, and its bold chocolate-coffee flavor stands up well to spices. Not only that, but we love the idea of a crock full of chili and a few pints of Edmund Fitzgerald near a cozy fall bonfire. Add a little sharp cheddar and some minced white onions to really make this pairing sing.

Poor Man’s Polish Boy with Cold Rush Premium Light Lager

Cleveland’s Light Lager has met its match with the satisfying texture of cool coleslaw and the slightly spicy snap of our Edmund Fitzgerald Porter BBQ sauce. A little heat, a little cool, and a low-cal, high-refreshment clean lager to cleanse the palate. We love how Cleveland this combo feels. It’s a Polish Boy… kind of! Swap in kielbasa for your glizzy, toss on a few crispy French fries, and na zdrowie!

Veggie Italian Sausage & Peppers with Eliot Ness Amber Lager

Not everybody in your squad is going to go for an all-beef hot dog, and that’s okay! As good Midwest-nice hosts, we have a plan for every palate. Find some quality veggie or vegan sausage with Italian spices, and top it with sauteed peppers, onions, and mushrooms. The caramel and toffee malt flavors of Eliot Ness are oh-so-smooth with some caramelized onions and savory mushrooms. Even your meat-loving pals will want to investigate.

Sauerkraut & Mustard with Oktoberfest or 73 Kolsch

This one’s a no-brainer. Our malt-forward Märzen was meant to be hoisted next to a mustard-slathered brat or hot dog, and the tangy crunch of some fresh sauerkraut will transport you right from the Muni Lot to Munich! Swap in 73 Kolsch for an uber pairing, or serve both to impress your tailgate buds with a Euro-inspired lineup of hall-of-fame proportions. Mix in our homemade Bavarian pretzels to elevate your carb load for four quarters of fun.

Midwest IPA & Midwest Hazy IPA with Pickle Relish

We’ll see your pickleback shot and raise you this classic Midwest combo. Whether you go for sweet or dill, the hoppy yet approachable snap of our Midwest IPA and Midwest Hazy IPA will make nice neighbors to cool, crunchy relish. If your favorite relish has some more sweet and citrusy notes, try Midwest Hazy for a complementary flavor. And if you visit our brewpub, grab some of our Midwest IPA hoppy pickles to-go and sub those in. We promise, it sounds crazy, but you’ll relish the results (sorry, how very Midwest dad of us). And hey, don’t be shy–be CHI! Add some celery salt, tomato, yellow mustard, onions, and a full pickle spear, and sport peppers for a Chicago-style treat.

No matter how you dress your dog, there’s no better match than a GLBC brew. Tag us in your favorite cookout combos!

Words by Marissa DeSantis
Photos by Lily Switka