RALEIGH, N.C. — It’s that season again and we’re not talking about beer. Girl Scout Cookies are here again! Now the first thing you might think to drink with a box of these goodies would be a gallon of nice cold milk but we have a better alternative - local craft beer.
Beer and cookies?
The wonders of food and beer pairing extend fantastically to the gems of Girl Scout Cookies. The key to eating Girl Scout cookies is to not take a little bite, swallow and then sip. Just the same as you would with milk, take a nice bite, sip the beer and swirl in your mouth to experience the blend of flavors. We have selected beers from the area that will enhance both the beer and the cookies and give you that “WOW” taste experience.
Thanks-A-Lot - shortbread cookies 1/2 dipped in fudge. A cookie with a dual personality needs something big and contrasty like Steel String’s Cryin’ Holy Double IPA. The bold citrus flavor and intense bitterness will make your mouth rock with this cookie. For a more toned down breakfast-like experience, go for the light coffee flavor of Fortnight’s Coffee Amber.
Cranberry Citrus Crisps - a whole grain cookie with tangy cranberry bits and zesty citrus flavor. To compete against the cranberry bits, the robust toffee flavors of Four Saints Brewing Caramel Quadrupel will give you that wintry pie flavor. To really accentuate the tartness, go for Haw River’s Rusted Plow Farmhouse Saison.
Lemonades - shortbread with a refreshingly tangy lemon flavored icing. Gotta go for the IPA’s with this cookie. Ponysaurus IPA with it’s lemon-citrus flavors and Nickelpoint IPA with citrusy/piney flavors will both handle the contrasts of the bready lemony cookie.
Shortbread - traditional shortbread cookies. Let’s add some great malty flavor to these classic cookies. White Street’s Scottish Ale and Brüeprint’s Edinbrüe are fantastic choices.
Thin Mints - crispy chocolate wafers dipped in a mint chocolaty coating. Let’s hit the mint first with some big chocolate coffee flavor from Crank Arm’s Motivator Chocolate Coffee Imperial Stout. To really get a fresh mint blast, grab Gizmo Brew Works’ Peppermint Stiletto.
Peanut Butter Patties - crispy vanilla cookies layered with peanut butter and covered with a chocolaty coating. These cookies are dangerously good on their own but we’re going to up the flavor ante. Make yourself an amazing chocolate PB&J sammich with Double Barley’s Fat Charley’s Raspberry Chocolate Stout. Try a big beer flavor sensation with White Rabbit Brewing’s Tea Party Porter. Bourbon, chocolate and vanilla mixing it up peanut butter - Yum!
Caramel deLites - vanilla cookies topped with caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut, and laced with chocolaty stripes. Really boost the coconut flavor of the cookie with Lynnwood Brewing Concern’s - Coconut Porter or Bombshell Beer Co.’s Dirty Secret Coconut Stout. Looking to boost the caramel and chocolate - get Trophy Brewing’s Milky Way.
Peanut Butter Sandwich - crisp and crunchy oatmeal cookies with creamy peanut butter filling. All this peanut butter needs something smooth and chocolaty. No better choices than Deep River Brewing’s 4042 Stout and Mystery Brewing’s Six Impossible Things Chocolate Breakfast Stout. It’s an awesome beer peanut butter cup!
Gluten Free Trios - Chocolate chips nestled in a gluten free peanut butter oatmeal cookie. We’re going a little out of the area to complete this cookie pairing. Gluten-reduced doesn’t mean reduced flavor, especially with Wicked Weed’s Gluten FREEk and it’s big hoppiness!
So many cookies and so many beer choices! Just like the craft beer experience, explore the pairings above or try new ones. There are many other great beers in the area that you can pair with your cookies but which we couldn't list. You should check those out as well! .
Dave Tollefsen and Glenn Cutler are regular guys living in central North Carolina with their families who share a love for craft beer and homebrewing. They work together as the NCBeerGuys. They can be found online at ncbeerguys.com promoting North Carolina craft beer, providing information about the folks who produce local beer and writing about beer adventures, activities and events across North Carolina. 
