A Very Stout Burger

 Can a burger's taste be improved? The answer is most definitely yes. Surprisingly even a drop of alcohol can do wonders to add to the meaty and unami flavors.it does'r have to be a teaspoon of ground onion.

I recently discovered the stout burger during a visit to Paragon Tap and Table in Clark New Jersey. To be honest I was kind of hesitant to go in, expecting the brew house to have a limited menu. It didn't with an abundance of choices. One item from the menu caught my eye.

Their stout burger. This was something to be tried and it didn't disappoint. This was a thick patty served on a buttery brioche bun.A huge slab of bacon along with sauteed  and fried onions(!!) mushrooms and a stout aioli graced it but it was the burger itself that stood out. The waiter was kind enough to give me the recipe.

The stout is Guiness , that  famed creamy velvety brew from Dublin, drizzled onto already made patties and cooked quickly on a hot grill. Instead of the stout's flavor being mixed in and absorbed by the meat as in other stout burger recipes, it stood out on it's own, hence the purer flavor. It was really wonderful, marrying with the beef perfectly. The kitchen used just the right amount  as to not smother the hamburger's own taste. Even without the extras a  plain stout burger  on its' own with just the bun  and an onion would be good. Paragon also offers hanger steak and filet mignon. I wonder how those cuts would taste with a quick splash of stout. Their lamb burger with red wine sounds good too and I may try that on my next trip there.I am planning on using their stout recipe for my Beyond Burgers just to see how the drink holds up against plant based proteins. Will they taste the same?Or have a different taste vibe because real meat wasn't used.

Beer and burgers are always good together, Burgers with a splash of stout added to them are way better. Try one  today on a fun trip to Paragon Tap and Table.

Paragon Tap and Table is located at 77 Central Ave, Clark NJ. It shares the same parking lot as the Clark Target and Marshalls. It's right off the Clark Exit 135 on the Garden State Parkway South.