Memorial day is the first summer holiday a day of the year and is traditionally spent with friends and family. It’s also the best time to bust out and dust off the grill. There is no better why to enjoy the holiday then with grilled and beer dunked bratwurst served with drippy onions on toasted sourdough rolls.

The lack of as much appeal as would be expected has nothing to do with the game itself. Fans and general managers alike are all clamoring for the start of what stands to be one of the most exciting free agency periods that the NBA has seen in a long time.

One again, the International Beer Expo will take place June 5 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The annual international beer tasting extravaganza, will showcase more than 75 breweries from across the globe, each providing samples of their country’s proudest brewing achievement.

The peaches strong flavor is so great with ales that I am surprised that I dont see it in more beer recipes. Here we are taking simple peaches putting some nice char on them and topping it off with a great oat based crisp topping. The most splended end to a great summer meal

Bar Harbor Brewing Company makes a great peach ale. Something worth trying with this dish for obvious reasons. It is a little light with a great flavor, high acidity which is nice with the rich topping.

After just two games in the East and two in the West, I feel pretty comfortable saying that the Finals will be between the defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the old guys in the East, the Boston Celtics.

Let’s be honest folks, the Suns just do not have enough fire power to outscore the Lakers nor do they have the defensive ability to shut down all their weapons. I would not have thought that the aging Celtics would have been able to hang with the Orlando Magic, but after two strong wins I am a believer.

On the cusp of summer I feel that this recipe is very important to add to our barbecue resume. It is so often that we enjoy great American barbecue and forget the rest of the world does some sort of open fire cooking. Dont get me wrong, I love our great Kansas City and Texas barbecue but char siuis something that just needs to be enjoyed.

I have to go back to my hometown brewery for this dish. The Golden Monkey by Victory Brewery is just perfect for this. A great belgian style beer with a light body and herb flavor.

Editor Michelle Pagano writes about Chicago Craft Beer Week and Atlanta Beer Week, two new week-long celebrations on her blog, “Editor’s Post.” Find out what special events are planned this week.

Read her blog here.

This is an incredible way to prepare a meltingly tender shoulder of pork without braising it or barbecuing it. I learned this technique at Douglas Rodriguez’ Alma De Cuba. It is essentially a confit similar to the technique used in pork carnita.

The cool mojo just cuts the unctuous fat fitted around the tender meat. That richness and the use of the orange in the mojo I have to call for a Blue Moon with this beer. Simple.