Steamed Blue Crabs

• 1 Lg stock pot with strainer insert (like the kind used for cooking pastas)
• ½ Dz live blue crabs (no more than that should go in the pot at a time)
• 1 bottle of beer
• 1/4 cup of vinegar
• 3 fresh lemons
• 1 tsp of peppercorns
• Old Bay seasoning
• 3 oz unsalted butter for melting
• 1 clove of garlic finely minces (if desired to add to melted butter)

In large stock pot add beer, vinegar, one fresh lemon squeezed, peppercorns then fill the rest of the way with water to just the bottom of the steamer basket. Close lid and bring to a boil. Rinse live crabs in sink with the sink sprayer, once water is boiling with long tongs add crabs to the steamer basket. Once all are in take other 2 lemons and squeeze over crabs then take old bay and sprinkle all over the crabs to taste and close lid. Check after about 8 minutes if they are all a bright red they are ready to eat if not close lid for another 2 minutes as it only takes about 10 minutes for ½ dz to be perfectly done. While you are waiting for the 8 minutes melt butter with or without garlic and have ready. Once crabs are done crack and enjoy!