Step 1

Clean and dry the cucumbers.

Step 2

Combine the water, beer, vinegar, salt and sugar in a small pot and bring to simmer. Stir to dissolve sugar and salt and let cool down completely.

Step 3

In sterilized mason jars arrange the cucumbers and the sliced peppers, add the peppercorns, mustard seed, garlic, chili flakes and optional pickling spice.

Step 4

Fill the jars with the cooled down pickling brine and make sure the pickles are submerged, use pickle weights if you have them. Close the lids and store refrigerated. Turn jars upside down and back up every day. Pickles should be ready in about 7 days.

Step 5

Combine the water, beer and salt in a small pot and bring to simmer. Stir to dissolve the salt and let cool down completely.

Step 6

In sterilized mason jars arrange the cucumbers and the dill, add the garlic and the peppercorns.

Step 7

Fill the jars with the cooled down pickling brine and make sure the pickles are completely submerged, use pickle weights if you have them. Close the lids and let sit in a cool spot to ferment for 5-7 days. Be sure the temperature does not exceed 75 F as this may encourage bacteria other than lactobacillus to grow even in the presence of the beer.

Step 8

Taste in a few days - they should have a very mild sour taste followed by a flavorful sweetness. If you want deeper taste, let ferment for another day or so. After that store refrigerated and consume relatively fast.