RECIPES: St. Marys’ own Straub Brewery passed along a couple of unique vegetable recipes that use their homebrewed beverages. They’d make great side dishes on Thanksgiving if you’re looking for something new.

Straub American Lager Braised Brussels Sprouts

2 lbs. Brussels sprouts

2 (12 oz.) bottles Straub American Lager

2 Tbsp. prepared yellow mustard

2 Tbsp. flour

2 Tbsp. butter

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. garlic salt

Pepper to taste

2 Tbsp. heavy cream

In a medium size sauce pan, place whole Brussels sprouts and pour both bottles of beer over the Brussels sprouts. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 minutes or until Brussels sprouts are tender. Drain Brussels sprouts, reserving the beer cooking liquid.

Immediately place drained Brussels sprouts in ice water bath to retain color and stop the cooking process. Pour the reserved beer cooking liquid back into the sauce pan and add mustard. Whisk until smooth. Set aside.

In a small sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter and add flour whisking the flour butter mixture for about 1 minute until well combined.

Add beer-mustard mixture to the butter flour mixture, whisking for about 1 minute until the sauce is as thick as cream. Add the heavy cream to the mustard sauce and whisk to combine. Remove sauce from heat. Drain Brussels sprouts and plate. Pour mustard sauce over Brussels sprouts and top with freshly ground black pepper.

Straub American Amber Pumpkin Soup

5 cups pumpkin puree

1 cup vegetable broth

2 cups heavy cream

1 tsp. garlic powder and/or 1 garlic clove, minced

1 tsp. onion powder and/or ½ cup chopped onion

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

¼ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. brown sugar

1 cup plain yogurt

1 cup cashews

1 cup Straub American Amber Lager, or more to taste

In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pumpkin puree, vegetable broth, heavy cream, garlic powder/minced garlic and onion powder/chopped onions. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir in the pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, brown sugar, yogurt and cashews. Stir in the Straub American Amber Lager. Cook for approximately 10 to 12 minutes more minutes, or until the soup is thoroughly heated. Transfer the mixture to a food processor, in batches, if necessary. Cover and process until smooth. Return the soup to the pot, and warm the soup over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes. Serve warm.

Yields 6 to 8 servings.