Cooking With Beer – India Pale Ale BBQ Sauce

Summer is ON and that means it’s grilling time! If you’re a fan of bold flavors and craft brews, this IPA BBQ sauce will become your go-to.

And although this BBQ sauce recipe would work with a wide variety of IPAs, we went  Vermont-based Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ most iconic India Pale Ale.

First released in 2014, Lawson’s Finest’s Sip of Sunshine is an 8% ABV lupulin-laden India Pale Ale with juicy tropical fruit character and delectable layers of hop flavor.

IPAs bring a signature hoppy bitterness and citrusy backbone that balance perfectly with the sweetness and acidity in a good barbecue sauce.

So let’s do this!

(Courtesy Lawson’s Finest Liquids)

India Pale Ale BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup hoppy IPA (preferably citrus-forward)
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp molasses
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• Optional: pinch of cayenne for heat

Instructions:

1. Sauté Aromatics
   In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened (about 5 minutes). Stir in the garlic and sauté for another 1–2 minutes.
2. Build the Base
   Add the ketchup, IPA, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, molasses, and all the spices. Stir well to combine.
3. Simmer
   Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will reduce and thicken.
4. Blend (Optional)
   For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender or carefully transfer to a blender and puree until smooth.
5. Cool and Store
   Let the sauce cool. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Pro Tips:

• Choose your IPA wisely: Fruity, citrus-forward IPAs (like a West Coast or New England style) tend to work best. Avoid overly bitter or high-ABV versions, as they can overwhelm the sauce.
• Adjust sweetness or heat: Add more sugar for a sweeter sauce, or extra cayenne for spice lovers.

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