A backyard cookout is one of the easiest places to bring a cigar into the mix. There is already smoke in the air, people are standing around instead of sitting at a table, and nobody minds if you step away from the grill for twenty minutes with a beer in one hand. The trick outdoors is picking a cigar that will not get lost in the smell of the grill and a beer that can handle a warm afternoon without going flat on flavor.
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The Cigars
You want something with a medium body that can stand up to charcoal smoke and barbecue sauce without getting overpowered, and a burn that holds up if you set it down for a few minutes to flip the burgers.
What Beer to Pair With Each One
- Camacho Corojo with an amber ale. The malt sweetness balances the pepper without competing with barbecue flavors on the table.
- A milder robusto with a pilsner or a lager. Both stay crisp and refreshing in the heat, which matters more outdoors than it does in a lounge.
- A maduro-wrapped stick with a brown ale. Works especially well once the sun goes down and the grill smoke has settled.
A Few Cookout Cigar Tips
- Keep your cigar away from the grill smoke itself. Charcoal and lighter fluid smell will fight with the cigar’s own flavor if you stand too close.
- A cigar holder or a simple stand keeps your stick from rolling into the grass when you go help with the food.
- Pace yourself. A cookout can run for hours, so a shorter robusto that takes 45 minutes is often a better call than a two-hour Churchill.
- If kids or non-smokers are around, smoke on the downwind side of the group. It is a small thing that keeps everyone comfortable.
More Ways to Pair Beer and Cigars
Hosting a bigger group? Our Beer and Cigar Tasting Night guide has a full setup plan, or head back to the full beer and cigar pairing guide.
FAQ
What cigar is best for a backyard cookout?
A medium to full-bodied cigar like a Corojo or a maduro-wrapped robusto. It needs enough strength to stand up to grill smoke without getting lost.
What beer goes well with cigars at a cookout?
Pilsners and lagers work best in the heat since they stay refreshing, while an amber or brown ale is a good match once the sun starts going down.
How do you keep a cigar going while grilling?
Set it down on a cigar holder or stand rather than an ashtray edge, and relight it gently with a torch lighter if it goes out while you are busy with the food.
