How to Host a Beer & Candy Pairing at Your Brewery
Beer and candy pairings can be a fun and unexpected way to enjoy both treats, especially around Halloween. The contrast between the sweetness of candy and the complex flavors of different beer styles makes for interesting combinations. Here are some great pairings to try:
1. Peanut Butter Cups + Porter
Why it works: The rich, chocolatey notes of a porter complement the creamy peanut butter filling, enhancing both the sweetness and the roasted malt flavors.
2. Sour Gummies + Sour Ale
Why it works: A tart sour ale, like a Gose or Berliner Weisse, amplifies the tangy, puckering flavors of sour gummies, creating a vibrant pairing.
3. Milk Chocolate + Stout
Why it works: The creamy sweetness of milk chocolate pairs beautifully with the deep roasted flavors and slight bitterness of a stout, especially milk stouts or oatmeal stouts.
4. Caramel Chews + Amber Ale
Why it works: The caramel sweetness of an amber ale mirrors the buttery richness of caramel candy, making for a smooth and complementary pairing.
5. Skittles + IPA
Why it works: The fruity, tropical notes of an IPA play off the vibrant, candy-like fruit flavors of Skittles, while the bitterness helps balance the sweetness.
6. Snickers + Brown Ale
Why it works: The nutty, caramel, and chocolate flavors of Snickers are enhanced by the malty, nutty characteristics of a brown ale, making for a rich, indulgent match.
7. Twix + Belgian Dubbel
Why it works: The caramel and cookie elements of Twix find a complementary partner in the dark fruit and caramel sweetness of a Belgian Dubbel.
8. Reese’s Pieces + Cream Ale
Why it works: The light, smooth body of a cream ale balances the sweet peanut butter flavor of Reese’s Pieces, creating a harmonious and refreshing pairing.
9. Jelly Beans + Wheat Beer
Why it works: The fruity, sometimes spicy, and slightly sweet notes of a wheat beer match well with the varied fruity flavors of jelly beans, especially in lighter styles like Hefeweizens.
10. Dark Chocolate + Barleywine
Why it works: The deep, rich bitterness of dark chocolate is matched by the strong, sweet, malty, and sometimes boozy character of a barleywine, making this a decadent pairing.
These pairings can add a playful twist to any beer tasting event, especially around Halloween or other candy-centric celebrations!
