Sure, you’ve heard of pairing cookies with milk, but what about cookies and beer?
Beer can actually pair pretty beautifully with dessert if you do things right. Whether you’re cutting up a fruitcake on Christmas evening, or snacking on some fudge you got from a coworker, the right beer can make a sweet treat even better.
Forget the hot cocoa this Christmas. The folks at Growler USA sent us some awesome beer and holiday dessert pairings that are definitely worth a try while you’re sitting around the tree this weekend.
Fudge and Dark Malts
Everyone loves grandma’s homemade fudge. For those who prefer the simplicity of milk chocolate chip cookies or homemade fudge, this year, try pairing it with dark-roasted malts found in stouts and porters to complement the chocolate-flavors, like a Rogue Brewing Co. Chocolate Stout or a Left Hand Brewing Co. Milk Stout.
Fruit Cake and English Ale
To pair with this holiday classic, try a Belgian Abbey Ale, German Wheat Ale, or English Ale to complement that fruity yeast flavor. Growler recommends the Stone Brewing’s Vertical Epic Ale, an imperialized Belgian-wit ale, with a sprinkling of black pepper and hops.
Sugar Cookies and Blonde Ale
Decorating holiday cookies is a beloved tradition, so keep things light for this pairing with Blonde Ale. Try the Arrogant Brewing Who You Callin’ Wussie Pilsner.
Ginger Cookies and Brown Ale
The zing of the ginger is nicely complemented when paired with a brown ale or stout, or a coffee-flavored beer. Try Deschutes The Abyss or a Founder’s Breakfast Stout.
Cheesecake with Stout or Fruit Beer
For this one, think of your beer pairing as the topping to your cheesecake. So, if you’d want chocolate on top, try a stout. To add a nutty complement, try a brown ale, and fruit beer if you normally top your cheesecake with berries. Growler USA likes the Rogue Brewing Co. Hazelnut Brown Nectar and Dogfish Head Beer to Drink Music To.