Cocktails made with beer? You may be skeptical, but try one (or more) of these tasty summer drinks created by Samuel Merritt, beer sommelier and owner of Civilization of Beer — you may just find a new summer entertaining staple.

The Mainer Summer Saturday Punch

4 oz Allagash White Ale

1 oz Lindeman’s Framboise (raspberry) Ale

1 oz Hendrick’s Gin

In a punch bowl, pour gin, slowly add Allagash White Ale, slowly add Lindeman’s Framboise. Serve over ice in punch glasses. Garnish with cut raspberry.

The Franco American

12 oz Miller High Life

1 oz St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur

Pour St. Germaine into the bottom of a pilsner glass, slowly add Miller. Optional garnish with lemon twist.

The Evil Peach

6 oz of Duvel Ale

3 oz of Lindeman’s Peche Ale

Peach slice to garnish

Pour Lindeman’s into bottom of a 12 oz tulip glass, slowly add Duvel ale into the glass. Do not stir. Garnish with peach slice

The Guinness Caribbean Punch

7 oz can sweetened, condensed milk

16 oz bottle Guinness Extra Stout

1 raw egg

Pinch fresh ground nutmeg

In a pitcher, vigorously beat egg and condensed milk together. Slowly pour Guinness Extra Stout down the side of the pitcher and gently mix. Pour into stemware, grate fresh nutmeg on top.

The Brooklyn Valentine

12 oz Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

11.2 oz Lindeman’s Kriek Ale

Pour Lindeman’s Kriek slowly into a large tulip glass followed by the stout. Top with whip cream if desired.

Photos couresty of Samuel Merritt

It's OK, we know. Sometimes you don't want to drink wine with barbecue or on the deck. You want beer.

Luckily, it's hard to go wrong with Canadian beer. Big Rock, Wild Rose, Granville Island, Steamwhistle, Creemore Springs...there are far too many great Canadian beers to mention.

In celebration of Canada Day, we picked a few crowd-pleasing beers from Quebec that might be new to you.

Brasserie Le Bilboquet La Corriveau

From the Brasserie Le Bilboquet website: "From the top of her gallows, the Corriveau looks down on you as you savour a dark beer with espresso and chocolate aromas. Her deep colour is topped by a rich and unctuous cream which hides a sharp bitterness worthy of the dark thoughts which haunted the spirit of this legendary murderer."

Available in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Brasserie Le Bilboquet MacKroken Flower

From the Brasserie Le Bilboquet website: "Pours a hazy, beautiful deep dark ruby, large off-white head. The aroma is intense, so much sweet chrystal malt and minor peat, lots of sharp minty hop notes, and a touch of booze. Nice!

Discreet aroma of caramel and herbal fragrances. Flavour is equally intense, same aspects, very sweet but in a refined malty way, underlying slightly dry hop presence throughout on a full-feeling body. Chewy. Minor fruit esters from the yeast, cherry, pear, but barely noticeable.

Luscious mouth feel, well rounded, somehow sticky and dry in a comfortable way all while possessing this inviting tiny bubbles carbonation. Truly charming scotch ale, the honey fits like an old acquaintance."

Available in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Dieu du Ciel Corne du diable

From the Dieu du Ciel website: "Corne du diable (French for "Horn of the devil") is a contemporary interpretation of the classic English India Pale Ale. This new style, born on the west coast of North America, is characterized by stronger and hoppier beers. The result is a red ale expressing caramel flavours coming from the malt, sharp bitterness and powerful hop aromas, thanks to dry hopping."

AB: $18/6 341 ml bottles  ON: $3/341 ml  NS: $13/ 6 341 ml bottles Premier Wine & Spirits

Dieu du Ciel Rosée d'Hibiscus

From the Dieu du Ciel website: "Rosée d’Hibiscus is a soft spoken wheat beer. The rose colour comes from the hibiscus flowers added during the brewing process. The aromas and flavour of this tropical flower are very prominent in the beer, giving it a slight acidity and a very agreeable fragrance. It is the perfect thirst quencher on a hot summer day."

ON: $3/341 ml  NS: $13/6 341 ml bottles Premier Wine & Spirits

Dieu du Ciel Route des épices

From the Dieu du Ciel website: "Routes des épices (French for "Spice Route") is a rye beer brewed with both black and green peppercorns. Initially, the beer reveals flavours of fresh grain and malt, which give it notes of chocolate, caramel, and fruit. The pepper flavour and aroma is fully revealed in the finish, which leaves a pleasant, spicy, tingling sensation on the tongue."

AB: $16/6 341 ml bottles  NS: $14/6 341 ml bottles

Whiskey and beer-friendly recipes are the way to go on St. Patrick's Day. Try these recipes for a taste of a traditional Irish meal.

Fat Stout Onion Soup

1/4 cup olive oil, or more if needed

3 large onions, thinly sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

6 cups beef or rich chicken stock

2 bottles Guinness Extra Stout

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp dried thyme

Pinch of allspice

Blue cheese

Beer croutons

In a large soup pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and salt and pepper. Cover the pot and cook the onions until light brown — about 30 minutes — stirring occasionally.

Add all the remaining ingredients, except the croutons. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.

Cook for 30 minutes, or until the onions are quite soft and the broth has a nice onion flavor.

Season with salt and pepper and a little vinegar if desired. Garnish with croutons and blue cheese.

Recipe: Guinness Recipes

Corned Beef with Cabbage

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

4 lb corned brisket of beef

3 large carrots, cut into large chunks

6 to 8 small onions

1 tsp dry English mustard

Large sprig fresh thyme and some parsley stalks, tied together

1 cabbage

Salt and freshly ground pepper Put the brisket into a saucepan with the carrots, onions, mustard and the herbs. Cover with cold water and bring gently to a boil. Simmer, covered, for 2 hours. Discard the outer leaves of the cabbage, cut in quarters and add to the pot. Cook for a further 1 to 2 hours or until the meat and vegetables are soft and tender.

Serve the corned beef in slices, surrounded by the vegetables and cooking liquid. Serve with lots of floury potatoes and freshly made mustard.

Recipe: Darina Allen, epicurious.com

Irish Soda Bread

Yield: 8 servings

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 tbsp flax seeds or sesame seeds

2 tbsp granulated sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1-1/2 cups buttermilk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

Topping

1 tbsp all purpose flour

In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, flax seeds, sugar, baking soda and salt.

In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and oil. Add to dry ingredients all at once; stir with fork until soft dough forms.

On lightly floured surface and with floured hands, press dough into ball; knead lightly 10 times. Place on greased baking sheet; gently pat out dough into 6-inch (15 cm) circle.

Topping: Sprinkle flour over loaf. With sharp knife, score large X on top of loaf.

Bake in centre of 375ºF (190ºC) oven for about 45 minutes or until golden and tester inserted in centre comes out clean.

Recipe: Canadianliving.com

Belgian beers are a tasty alternative to Irish ales and stouts. When you're enjoying beer from Ireland this St. Patrick's Day, consider picking up a few of these beers from Belgium for a little variety. Dave Turnbull of Horizon Beers recommends a few of his favourites.

La Chouffe Blond Ale

A strong and unfiltered blond ale, with a citrus, tropical fruit, coriander and hops nose. The palate is refreshing, with fruitiness, hops and spice. This will pair well with lightly spiced food (Thai and Indian) and the citric element will pair well with seafood and salads. La Chouffe is represented by the “Chouffe gnome”…let's call it Belgium’s answer to the Leprechaun.

Liefmans Fruitesse

This unique and fresh beer blend matured for 18 months on cherries in the Liefmans cellar before bottling. A blend of strawberry, raspberry, blueberry and juniper berry juices, it is sweet and sparkling, with a slightly tart finish to balance out the natural sweetness of the fruit juices.

Chimay Blue

The flavour profile of this dark beer is much different than an Irish stout. It is malty, but much more complex and effervescent in its carbonation (stouts are creamy). The Chimay is sweet and fruity, with fig, plum, raisin and spice notes. This has a warming, rum or brandy-like finish and has about double the alcohol of your average stout. This is the flagship beer from the best known of the seven Trappist monasteries in the world (six of them are in Belgium).

Duvel

Duvel is the benchmark of golden ales. A light golden colour, with fluffy head and a perfumed, hoppy, pear, citrus and brandy nose. It is smooth and dry, with hops, spice and a bit of alcohol sweetness. This is a great palate cleanser for spicy food. It also pairs well with fish, garlic and oil and cream sauces.

Looking to try a new beer this St. Patrick's Day? Write down some of these recommendations from Christian Finz of DeLancey Direct and head to your local beer store.

Beer from Canada

Garrison Brewing — Hop Yard Pale Ale

Deep golden, medium-bodied and nicely bitter, with generous hopping in the boil and further dry-hopping to produce a fruity/floral aroma and refreshingly bitter finish. Pairs well with pub food such as nachos and hot wings, as well as other hot and spicy dishes. Crisp and refreshing — a true thirst-quencher.

Paddock Wood Brewing — Bête Noire Oatmeal Stout

The Bête Noire gets its dark profile and complex finish from a blend of chocolate malt and roasted barley. The chocolate malt gives notes of coffee and chocolate. The oatmeal softens the background even further for a smooth and easy-drinking stout.

Cannery Brewing — Squire Scotch Ale

This variety of pale ale is defined by malt flavours that are strong and smoky, with a touch of sweetness. The deep caramel colour and gentle hop profile round out this classic-style ale.

Beer from Scotland

Traquair House — Jacobite Ale

Spiced with hops and coriander, the Jacobite Ale is a deep brown colour, with rich aromas of spice, chocolate and leather. It is full-bodied and creamy, with oak notes and a warm, engaging finish. Pair with rich appetizers and Stilton or other blue cheeses.

Beer from Germany

Brauerei Ayinger — Jahrhundert Lager

A medium-bodied and golden lager, with very clean and pure malt and honey flavours. Serve with mushroom soup and pork roast.

Beer from the United States

Pike Pub & Brewing — Pike XXXXX Stout

Full-bodied, with velvety malt texture and hints of chocolate, liquorice and espresso. Appropriate anywhere a red wine would be served, yet it goes beautifully with delicate dishes like oysters.