Mussels always seem like they’re going to be some huge undertaking to make at home, but most of what they really need is space. They require counter space for preparation (you really want to get mussels perfectly clean), a big pot for simmering, and extra bowls for spent shells once those bivalves have popped open. So, while mussels don’t actually require that much more work than a lot of other dinners, the feeling alone is enough to leave a home cook wanting to get them right every time. And a beer bath will give your mussels the impact that makes it all worth the effort.
Broth and wine are the typical mussel cooking conduits, and beer performs similarly, imparting its own flavor notes depending on the variety you choose. As you might expect, use a beer that you’d actually want to drink, as you will end up sipping it from a spoon or sopping up any extra with crusty bread. One standard can or bottle is plenty to cover two pounds of mussels.
A cure for what ales: choosing beer for steamed mussels
In general, it’s best to stick with drier beers for steaming mussels, even as ambitious as a sweet dessert seafood dish may sound. We’d shy away from potentially overpowering sours for this particular preparation, too. Anything you would serve to a crowd without expecting much feedback one way or another will do. A pale lager like Corona Extra would work well. An IPA like Sierra Nevada could also be great thanks to the quick steam time, but you might want to brush up on your India pale ale cooking tips in any event.
Although mussels are tops in the no-recipe recipe category, you still want to have a rough flavor profile for maximum impact. Butter, garlic, and shallots are genre classics that you can get going in the bottom of the pot before introducing the bivalves and beer. Around five minutes over medium will provide plenty of time and heat for your mussels to finish steaming. You can also toss in fresh or dried herbs like parsley for a grassy pop or red pepper flakes for some heat. As long as the flavors are more or less complementary, steamed mussels are a terrifically forgiving, versatile protein to dress up any way you wish.
