How to Find Dessert Beers

You’ve likely found quite a few resources with advice for pairing beers to your lunch or dinner selections, but what about matching beer to your dessert?  Or are there beers that make a good dessert to cap off your meal?  Craft beers have transformed beverage selections, and today there are many delicious dessert beers to choose from.  If you’re looking for a tasty drink to replace a dish of ice cream or a piece of pie, here are a few tips for picking a liquid alternative.  Or, splurge and have it WITH your favorite dessert!

Characteristics of Good Dessert Beers

Of course, the best beer for you will be the one that fits your preferences for taste and alcohol content.  In general, here are a few characteristics you’re likely to find in some of the top dessert beers.

1. Higher alcohol content (ABV).  To make a sweeter beverage, the brewer adds more sugar or other ingredients with higher sugar content.  Sugar converts to alcohol, so sweeter beers are likely to have a higher ABV.  Because of that, some dessert-style beers are sold in smaller glasses.
2. Unconventional brewing conditions.  Craft brewers are very creative when making dessert-style beverages.  For example, there are many selections aged in whiskey barrels.  The resulting beverage shares characteristics of a darker porter or stout with notes of whisky or wine.
3. Lactose.  Lactose is used to make a beer sweeter and creamier.  Lactose sugar won’t ferment in the yeast, so it gives the beer a smoother, thicker mouthfeel.  Often these will have labels like “milk stout” or “milkshake beer.”  
4. Dessert-like flavors.  Chances are your favorite dessert tastes like chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, fruit, or brown sugar.  Brewers include all these ingredients in their recipes for specialty beers.  You can find dessert beers with labeled flavors like gingerbread, smores, double-chocolate mocha, coffee cake, creme brulee, peanut butter, and more.  
5. Stronger flavors.  You’re not likely to find many light beers in the dessert section.  Brewers are serious about creating distinctive flavors, and that usually means the beer is going to be darker and more flavorful.  On the other hand, you might enjoy a thick, fruity smoothie-style beer that is lighter in color but still rich in flavor.  

How to Enjoy Dessert Beers

Just like other beers, you can drink them alone or pair them with an indulgent treat.  For example, a double-chocolate stout on nitro goes well with desserts like chocolate cake and shortbread cookies.  A lighter cherry-forward beer may pair well with cream cheese on light bread.  Your local beer master can recommend cakes, cookies, pastries, and other selections that will go well with your new favorite beer.

Visit The Growler Guys to experience new styles of beer.

Explore the growing variety of beers in one taproom, The Growler Guys.  Each location carries the best local varieties, from the palest ales to the darkest stouts, along with ciders and kombucha.  Our friendly staff is happy to walk you through the characteristics of every style to help you discover your personal favorites.  Take home the beers you love best in a growler to share with family and friends.  View our online tap list to learn about the available selections at a location near you.