Alright, alright, let’s talk about desserts with beer, you know, the sweet stuff you eat after supper, but with a little bit of that hoppy drink. I ain’t no fancy chef or nothin’, just a regular person who likes a good treat now and then, and sometimes, that treat goes real nice with a cold one.
Now, I’ve heard some folks say beer and dessert don’t mix, like oil and water or cats and dogs. But I’m here to tell you, they’re wrong! It’s all about finding the right match, you see. Like finding the right shoes to go with your dress, or the right hat to keep the sun off your face.
First thing’s first, what kind of beer we talkin’ about? You got your light beers, the ones that taste kinda like water but with a little kick. Then you got your dark beers, the ones that look like coffee and taste strong. And then you got all sorts in between, fruity ones, spicy ones, bitter ones… it’s a whole world out there, just like with desserts!
Let’s start with the easy stuff, the light beers. You know, the kind you drink on a hot day when you’re workin’ in the garden. These go good with light and fruity desserts. Think lemon tarts, them little pies with the sour filling, or maybe a fruit salad with some whipped cream on top. The beer cuts through the sweetness, so it ain’t too much. It’s like a little dance in your mouth, sweet and sour, light and bubbly.
And if you got a beer that’s a bit more hoppy, you know, the kind that makes your mouth pucker a little, then you want something a bit richer. Maybe a cheesecake? Or how about a nice apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream? The hops in the beer, they kinda play off the richness of the dessert, make it even better. It’s like putting salt on your watermelon, makes it taste more…melony, if that makes any sense.
- Light beer and Lemon tarts: That’s a good match, like peas in a pod.
- Hoppy beer and Cheesecake: Oh yeah, that’s the stuff. The bitterness and the richness, they go together like an old married couple.
- Dark beer and Chocolate cake: Now we’re talkin’! That’s a party in your mouth, let me tell ya.
Now, when you get to them dark beers, the stouts and the porters, the ones that taste like chocolate or coffee, that’s when you can really have some fun. These beers, they love chocolate. So, a big ol’ chocolate cake, or some brownies, or even just a piece of dark chocolate, that’s where it’s at. The bitterness of the beer and the bitterness of the chocolate, they kinda hug each other, you know? It’s like they were made for each other.
And don’t forget about them other snacks you can have with beer. You know, the salty stuff. Chips and nuts and crackers and such. They ain’t exactly dessert, but they can be good when you’re havin’ a beer. And sometimes, if you’re feelin’ fancy, you can even dip them in chocolate. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it, I always say.
I remember this one time, we had a big party at the church. Everyone brought somethin’ to eat, and I brought a big ol’ chocolate cake. And this fella, he brought a bunch of different beers. Well, let me tell you, that chocolate cake and that dark beer, they were the hit of the party. Everyone was talkin’ about it for weeks. It was somethin’ special, you know?
So, there you have it. Desserts and beer. It ain’t rocket science, it’s just about findin’ what tastes good to you. Don’t be afraid to experiment, try different things, see what you like. And don’t listen to them folks who say it can’t be done. They just don’t know what they’re missin’.
And if you really want to get fancy, you can try makin’ your own beer-infused desserts. Like beer brownies or beer caramel sauce. I ain’t never tried it myself, but I heard it’s mighty good. Maybe someday I’ll give it a whirl, when I ain’t got so much gardenin’ to do.
So, next time you’re havin’ a beer, don’t just settle for chips and dip. Grab yourself a little somethin’ sweet, and see what happens. You might just surprise yourself. And remember, there ain’t no right or wrong way to do it. It’s all about what you like. So go on, have a little fun. You deserve it.
Tags: [desserts, beer, pairing, sweet, treats, snacks, chocolate, ale, stout, porter]
