EASTER CANDY & BEER

The first Monday "Beer Adventure" at 99 Bottles this evening was an Easter candy and beer pairing. It was delightful.

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Pairing #1

Ayinger Ur-Weisse Dunkelweisen & Peeps

This is the pairing I feared the most, but it worked remarkably well. The yeast, clove, wheat, bread, and banana flavors of the beer complimented the sugar and marshmallow of the Peeps. I'm not normally a big fan of Peeps, but could easily imagine myself eating them if I had a pint of dunkelweisen around.

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Pairing #2

Lindemans Framboise Lambic & Reese's Peanut Butter Bunnies

This seemed to be the most conventional flavor combination of the bunch. The Framboise Lambic is ruby red in color with a brilliant pink head. It smells of fresh raspberries. It tastes of fresh raspberries. When it meets the Peanut Butter Bunnies, it matches perfectly. Chocolate and raspberry predominate, with a hint of peanut butter. You've had high quality chocolates that taste like this combination. Very good.

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Pairing #3

Left Hand Milk Stout & Whoppers Eggs

I'm a fan of Left Hand's Milk Stout. It has an earthy nose. The flavors are of roasted malts, an almost burned wood bark, and carmelized sugar. The mouthfeel is smooth and milky, just like the center of the Whoppers. The ale and the candy clash when they first meet in the mouth, but then the flavors blend and become one with the other. The finish is spectacular. The "harsh" open, the blend, and the finish all heighten the experience of combining the stout with the malted milk eggs.

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Pairing #4

Firestone Walker 31 Pale California Pale Ale & Dove Milk Chocolate Eggs

This was my favorite of the bunch, although I find it difficult to pinpoint exactly why. The Firestone Pale Ale presents a brilliant orange-yellow body that is absolutely clear. The nose is orange. The primary flavors are sweet orange (with a hint of bitter peel) and flower petals. The orange of the ale works with the milk chocolate eggs similar to orange flavored chocolates. The only thing I could think of that would possibly make this better would be to substitute dark chocolate for the milk chocolate.

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This was definitely one of my favorite 99 Bottles tastings. Now its time to go pick up some Easter candy and a few bottles of beer at the store for additional experimentation.