Now that it finally feels like summer, Wisconsinites are out grilling in full force – and there’s even a Grilling with Beer competition set for Wednesday night in Appleton, at the Radisson Paper Valley hotel – featuring professional chefs from area restaurants and caterers. The cook-off is sponsored by Wisconsin Distributors, and will feature beers from Goose Island, New Belgium Brewing Co. and more. Chefs are being creative in cooking with beer, such as Big Tomatoes’ Fat Tire Brined Pork Eye with Pomegranate-Ale BBQ Sauce served with grilled sweet corn and poblano peppers,  or the grilled Goose Island Urban Shrimp with a 3-1-2 Punch.

I’ll be there, both as a judge and as a guest author, signing copies of The Best of American Beer & Food, and Grilling with Beer. Tickets are $15 – contact Brian Eschenbauch, 920-733-8000 x1511 for details.