Every story has a moment of inspiration. This one began with a challenge issued to recipe developer Eric Vellend: take the idea of the hot dog and run with it! And run he did. “The love child of a corn dog and battered fish,” is how he describes the first of his creations. Then we have his delectable chicken strips, which also riff on the classic ballpark treat of pretzels and honey mustard. Notion number three is a hot dog from a Southeast Asian fantasy, part banh mi, part satay shrimp. One thing they all have in common — they’re superlatively delicious.

A deep-fried dish calls for maximum refreshment and a crisp edge in a beer. This renowned dark lager from the Czech Republic offers both, with a hint of bitter black coffee grounds to contrast with the sweetness of cornmeal and salmon in our Salmon Corn Dogs with Saffron Aioli.

Amber ales balance a gentle hoppiness with plenty of caramelly malt, producing a rich, easy-drinking beer. Old Credit’s version (brewed in Mississauga) has suggestions of molasses, licorice and apple that work particularly well with the slaw in our Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Strips with Kohlrabi Slaw.

It’s renowned as the classic Bavarian bottle-fermented wheat beer but it’s darker and spicier than most with aromatic clove and coriander seed to pick up the  cilantro and red curry spices in the dog. The hint of banana in the beer makes it a great match with sauce in these Thai Shrimp Dogs with Herb Salad and Peanut Sauce.