A Pairing Guide: Huntsville Beers and Cookies

*Disclaimer* due to copyrights on the cookie names and organization, the names of the group and specific cookies have been changed…but I think we all know who we are talking about here

It is the most wonderful time of the year.

No, I’m not delusional and thinking it is the Holiday Season…I’m talking about the time of year when those green-vested destroyers of New Year’s resolutions come strolling through the neighborhood peddling their boxes of sweet, delicious, baked treats.
Yes, cookie season is upon us, and while beer may not be the first beverage that comes to mind to accompany these delicious treats, it shouldn’t be disregarded. Beer is quickly becoming as popular as (maybe even more popular than) wine as a way to compliment good food, thanks to the different styles and flavors growing every day with the prevalence of breweries and craft beer in every community
There is no shortage of beer variety in Huntsville, and with many of the Rocket City’s many breweries pushing the envelope on flavor profiles, you don’t have to look very far to find some exciting pairings to go with your favorite treats from your favorite young ladies. In service to the community, I procured a few boxes of my own and suffered through eating them and drinking beer to bring you these pairings. Take them, or go out and create your own, but before you venture off into creating your own pairings, here are couple of notes:

1. Look for complimenting strength of flavors. Cookies with more dominant flavors can handle a more assertive beer, where more subtle cookies will work better with a lighter beer.
2. Look for similar and complimenting flavors. A cookie with citrus or tartness should get a beer that is brighter to back it up. You can also look for classic flavor combos like peanut butter and chocolate, or citrus and fruit.
3. Be careful with higher ABV beers, as they can sometimes burn out your palette.
4. Use this as a way to explore new beer styles. Where you may not necessarily order a particular beer to sip on its own, having something to match it to may help inspire a new taste.

Shortbreads

With their light and biscuity profile, this more subtle cookie can be easy to overpower, so seek out a similar-natured beer. I went after the Rocket Republic Vapor Trails cream ale. A style that takes its name from its milky-soft head, the honey-sweetness and light-grained goodness of this beer, combined with its smooth and creamy feel provide a good backing to this staple cookie. Also consider Yellowhammer T-Minus Kolsch or Mad Malts Banana Bread Hefeweizen…both lighter beers with personality but enough of the breadiness to compliment the shortbread.

Lemon-iced

Citrusy and tart, this cookie begs for something light and refreshing to go alongside it. I jumped in with a juicy and more citrus-centric beer with the Yellowhammer Cheatin’ Heart IPA. Not as piney or bitter as many Pale Ale variants, the lighter alcohol content combined with brighter fruit notes really helps compliment the tartness of the lemon from the cookie. Also consider the Island Thai’mmm rice lager from Chandler’s Ford. The lightness of the beer with notes of herbs, lemongrass, and cherry begs for a tart and sweet snack to accompany it. A fruited sour or gose would work well too, such as Fractal’s Guava Mango.

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Rich and nutty with a sweet finish, these are by far my personal favorites. It needed a good dance partner, so I let it do the do-si-do (*ahem) with Straight to Ale’s Regal Beagle Brown Ale. I had initially gone with a porter and a stout, but I thought the chocolate was too much. Brown ales, with their nuttiness and subtle sweetness, are a great compliment to a sweet and salty flavor profile, and STA’s stellar brown ale delivers to this effect. Consider also a solid amber ale, like Fractal Brewing’s fantastic Amber Ale.

Chocolate Mint Cookies

The clear and apparent favorite of all the cookies, these thin doses of mint and chocolate are an assertive and sweet flavor combination that is actually mimicked in beers often. This is also a cookie that can hold up to a higher ABV well. For me, I enjoy them frozen (it is also the last place the kids look…), which I think helps lift the mint up more, so I preferred something a little more chocolate-leaning in a chaser. The Yellowhammer Perpetual Motion Imperial Stout is a good match with its roasted malts and chocolate notes throughout.
I only highlighted a few cookies, but encourage folks to hit up the little future leaders in your neighborhood and buy up boxes while they can and try the many varieties out there. You can call it supporting your community, just like grabbing new and exciting Huntsville beers to wash them down with. For more ideas, feel free to hit me up!

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