Pints of Depiction: Pairing Beer with Candy
It’s not a trick: these beer styles with candy are a real treat!
All illustrations by Em Sauter.
October is my favorite month. The leaves are changing, the smell of crispness is in the air and we can buy candy under the guise of giving it to trick or treaters but it's 100% for us.
It might sound strange, but candy and beer are a great pairing because many beers offer a contrast to the sweetness of dessert, and the natural flavors of the right beers serve as a flavor compliment rather than a contrast.
I've chosen three time-honored candies and paired them with beers but as always, I recommend trying pairings you find unique and enjoying what you like. Beer and food is a wonderful experiment to play with.
Candy Corn and American Wheat Beer
As a huge fan of candy corn (actually, I’m more into the pumpkin shaped ones), many beer and food experts recommend cream ale and candy corn. I'd go for something with a smoother wheat edge, but similar profile as a cream ale. American Wheat Beers are clean, drinkable and will scrub your mouth of that waxy, polarizing sweetness. A fruited beer will also work well.
Beers to try:
Full Sail Brewing Co. (Oregon Brewery of the Year, 2020 NY International Beer Competition) Blood Orange Wheat Ale (Hefeweizen)
Peanut Butter Cups and Stout
Peanut Butter and chocolate is the best combo (“two tastes that taste great together”, right?) and peanut butter cups are one of my favorites. You want to find a beer that's going to lift both flavors together. Look towards a classic American stout with dark coffee/bakers chocolate flavors that will contrast the sweetness of the milk chocolate and saltiness of peanut butter. The beer shouldn't push the candy taste around the way a higher ABV Imperial Stout would.
Beers to try:
Wood Boat Brewery Old Town Oatmeal Stout (Silver medal, 2020 NY International Beer Competition)
Red Licorice and witbier
The mild strawberry taste of red licorice demands a flavorful but sessionable beer. The orange-tinged, dry, and highly carbonated witbier will be a welcome companion. The strawberry flavor of the licorice will match the taste of curaçao orange peel in the beer, and the coriander in the beer will contrast the sweetness, while the high carbonation will scrub your mouth clean.
Beers to try:
Birrai Umbri SS Cotta 21 Italian Blonde Ale
Enjoy these beer and candy pairings and happy Halloween!