Oinkster Burger Week IV Beer Pairing – Day 2 HotBurg on a Stick

Oinkster Burger Wekk IVWe’ve made it to day 2 of The Oinkster’s Burger Week IV and today’s burger is definitely something you’ve never seen before, the HotBurg on a Stick. This burger is an homage to the shopping mall staple Hotdog on a Stick but with a Burger Week twist.

Oinkster Burger Week IV Beer Pairing - Day 2 HotBurg on a StickSo for those sheltered few, Hotdog on a Stick is a purveyor of corn dogs, “fresh squeezed” lemonade, and ridiculous employee uniforms. Though nothing to speak of culinarily, it does hold a certain sweet spot in the California psyche. So naturally The Oinkster turned it into a crazy hybrid burger. It consists of a Nebraska Angus roll stuffed with cheese, cornmeal-battered and deep-fried on a stick with a side of fries. And to add an extra bit of authenticity, they’ll have limeade available for the day.

I wasn’t sure how I’d like this burger Frankenstein, but I was pleasantly surprised. The cornmeal was amazing and worked great with the cheese infused burger role in the middle. It came with both a garlic aioli and 1000 island dressing, but my preference was for the garlic aioli. There was a bit of breading management issues, but I was told that the exterior holds up better if you actually remove the stick first. Though not the most adventurous flavor combinations, it comes together really well and works in my book.

HotBurg on a Stick with San Tan Brewing Mr. PineappleThough a radler would seem the logical choice, The Oinkster didn’t have one available. So my beer pairing for the HotBurg is Mr. Pineapple from SanTan Brewing out of Arizona. This summer seasonal brew is a pale wheat ale that has had pineapple added during fermentation to give it a refreshing tropical kick. The beer pours a hazy straw color with a good amount of frothy white head. The aroma has a strong pineapple presence with a subtle pale malt backing. The flavor is predictably similar to the aroma, with a good mix of pineapple, pale malt, and some wheatiness. The finish starts with a fruity pineapple note that mellows out to a refreshing wheaty flavor. It comes off extremely refreshing without being to sweet and way more interesting than the traditional orange wheat beers you see.

The Mr. pineapple works really well with the HotBurg, with the wheatiness and corn meal complimenting each other, but still having some room for the pineapple to peak through. The beer is light and refreshing and helps cleanse the palate between bites of cheesy, cornmealy goodness. For those who aren’t sure about a pineapple beer, you’ve gotta remember you just ordered a burger on a stick, so come on live a little.

Oinkster Burger Week IV - Day 3 TurduckenCome back tomorrow for my review and beer pairing for the Turducken burger.

Cheers!
Jeff Prosser

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