Growing up in Lancaster NY, Near Buffalo, it was a treat to go to go to Lum's to enjoy beer steamed hot dogs.
Over the years, I have been tinkering around with various ways to steam them and I have come up with the ultimate way to enjoy them steamed in beer.
I use a Brinkman smoker.
5 lbs of Sahlen's Hotdogs (regional here try to get them if you can).
A 6 pack of Newcastle Brown Ale (it's English and leaves a nice caramelized coating on the dogs).
In your lowest level of your smoker you want your coals to be well beyond ashed over, you want your coals to be 1/2 spent.
Make sure that you install your drip pan in the top 3rd level and let it heat up whilst your coals are dying.
After your coals are 1/2 way gone get your grill ready to place on top. It's important to do this away from the smoker and add the grill and dogs lastly so they don't burn and stick to the grill.
Okay pour 4 bottles of the Newcastle Brown Ale into the drip pan and place your dogs on the grill on top. Quickly cover your smoker. Then you can relax for about an hour and a half. It's advised that you drink your favorite domestic or imported beer while you wait.
After the 1 + 1/2 hours you want to lift the lid of your smoker and quickly roll your dogs 180. at this time you will add your last 2 bottles of Newcastle to the drip pan. You'll notice that the dogs are going to be covered in a very sweet and sticky coating. Lick your fingers and you'll see.
It will take about another 45 minutes for the dogs to finish, depending on weather conditions and wind.
The final result will be a sweet dog permeated and coated with a caramel tasting flavor. Be warned! You will eat more than a few since it's such a treat! Try your first one off the bun... then you might just find that you enjoy them the most that way. Or you can use condiments, although this method of preparation actually requires none.
Please try it and let me know how you enjoyed this method/recipe.
Kind regards!
Mark
