Easter may have come and gone, but if you're like many people, you're still staring at a mountain of leftover Easter candy. Before you reach for that half-eaten chocolate bunny or sticky Peep, consider taking a more sophisticated approach. How about pairing your leftover Easter candy with craft beer?
Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs are like little bombs of chocolate and peanut butter goodness. The creamy, salty-sweet flavor begs to be paired with a rich chocolate stout or porter. Beers like Founders Breakfast Stout or AleSmith Speedway Stout are perfect choices, with their coffee, chocolate, and oatmeal notes complementing the peanut butter perfectly.
For those Cadbury Creme Eggs with their sugary fondant centers, a milk stout or cream ale is the way to go. Left Hand Milk Stout or a local cream stout offer creamy, smooth sweetness that pairs beautifully with the luscious filling of the egg.
Peeps, those iconic marshmallow chicks, are a divisive treat with a cult following. Their intense sweetness and artificial vanilla flavor call for a beer with bright acidity or juicy hops. A fruit sour or Gose, like a raspberry or citrus version, provides the perfect tart counterpoint to the sugary fluffiness of the Peep.
Jelly beans, with their myriad of flavors, are a challenge to pair with beer. A light, effervescent wheat beer or Witbier is a great choice, especially with tropical or berry-flavored beans. For popcorn or buttery jelly beans, a crisp pilsner or Kölsch offers a refreshing contrast.
And let's not forget the dark chocolate bunnies or eggs, the sophisticated option in the Easter candy lineup. These rich, bitter chocolates call for big, bold beers like an Imperial Stout or Barleywine. These beers can stand up to the depth of the cocoa and enhance the overall experience.
So before you polish off the last of your Easter candy on a late-night kitchen raid, consider elevating your sweet treats with a craft beer pairing. It's a fun and delicious way to bid farewell to the holiday season and indulge in some well-deserved treats. Cheers to a sweet ending!