Memorial Day weekend calls for backyards, briquets and a good brew.

If one were to play word association with many Americans, the phrase “Memorial Day weekend” would be answered with “burgers,” “barbecue,” “grilling” or all of the above. The holiday has become a three-day backyard bash featuring all-American fare.

Of course, celebrations vary. But there will be 818 hot dogs consumed every second – an average; no one is staying up all hours – according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. And 57 percent of Americans will tend the grill, with 85 percent of those flipping burgers (a tidbit from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association). The information seems plausible when you realize it is one of the biggest grilling holidays next to the Fourth of July.

Beer is also synonymous with Memorial Day gatherings. Given the likely menu options, just what beers are best to stock up on?

“Pilsner for sure – pilsner or a blonde ale,” advises Jefffrey Vitalich, brewmaster at Hidden Hills Brewing and Blending in Carmel. “You want something light and bright.” Alvarado Street Brewery’s Monterey Beer is an option. An alternative is Hidden Hills’ Watermelon Ranch, a light sour that comes across as a picnic treat.

There are other concerns when pairing, however. Mike Durant of Hops & Fog, the brewpub set to open soon in Pacific Grove, looks to the skies. “If it’s a hot day, I want something light – a lager, a pilsner or a light sour,” he explains. “If it’s a foggy Pacific Grove day…No, I’d still want something refreshing. IPAs fill me up.”

And over Memorial Day weekend, it’s important to pace yourself.