Funky food combinations always make some of the most popular culinary trends, and one of these dynamic duos that’s risen to fame over the past year is coffee beer. With a broad variety of styles, coffee beers attract both coffee and beer-lovers alike. But what makes this pairing so trendy right now?
As craft beer in general is gaining attention from fans who are looking for a drink with a little more personality, coffee beer makes a bold statement with its kick of flavor. It definitely has the surprise factor going for it as well, since most people wouldn’t think to combine their morning and night beverages. However, it does make sense, since many people note similarities between the two drinks. Studies have even suggested that coffee could actually protect the liver from damage caused by alcohol. So the two together potentially zero each other out, right?
Craft brewers haven’t stopped at just coffee – some coffee beers incorporate flavors of maple, bacon, oatmeal, chocolate, vanilla, chili, cinnamon, citrus, and nutmeg as well. A couple breweries have even used the strangely popular civet coffee beans (the ones that have been… um, digested… by the cat-like civets of Southeast Asia) in their brews.
While the rich flavor of coffee beer may feel like a meal all by itself, Craftbeer.com suggests pairing the drink with vanilla ice cream, pork tenderloin, or semi-hard aged cheese.
Another development in the coffee-beer partnership is a recent collaboration between Keurig and Anheuser-Busch to produce an “in-home alcohol drink system.” This project is still very much in the early stages, but it will be interesting to see how the worlds of coffee and alcohol continue to merge in the future.
From two favorite drinks comes one of 2017’s most unique craft beer trends. With each variation brewed with its own flair, this craze is reaching a wide audience – and certainly giving a new meaning to the term mixed drinks!
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