Catching, cooking and eating Atlantic Blue Claw crabs has been a tradition in my family for generations. After spending the day at the beach and getting covered in white sand and salty water, at about 4:00PM when we are all taking turns in the shower, the bar at our humble bungalow at the New Jersey Shore turns into my all-time favorite social hour.

Crabs and beer, friends and family; it’s the best! We pull out our bucket of crabs, all the tools, pour our favorite beer and just sit, pick at the crabs, and chat for hours. It is a wonderful time, even the kids join in (except for the beer part, but you may recall, this is where I got my first sip of beer from Grandpa).

Now, throughout the rest of the year, my family is one in the minority that still tries to eat every meal possible together. Reality is, as the kids get older, and everyone is busy with their own thing, it is increasingly difficult. On top of that, staying in touch with my family and friends is ever more difficult as the distances between us increase. This time to just be with each other is what life is all about and I intend to keep this social hour sacred and a continued tradition.

It is these tasty little crabs along side my beer that inspired our motto, “While life is not all about beer, beer is all about life”

Wondering where to get Blue Claws and how to cook them? Look for part III in this series.