Craft beer sales rose 20 percent in 2013, according to the Brewers Association. With increased demand comes increased pressure for brewers to concoct new flavor combinations.
DuClaw, the Maryland based brewery, has been experimenting with candy-flavored combos. Owner Dave Benfield says the most popular is a peanut butter chocolate porter called “Sweet Baby Jesus.”
“The liquid itself delivers on the promise of chocolate and peanut butter. And it’s very drinkable,” he says. “It’s certainly not for the feint of heart. It’s not a beer that you’re going to have eight or nine of, but it delivers on the flavor without overwhelming the palate too much.”
Then there’s recently released “Dirty Little Freak.”
“It’s a coconut, caramel, chocolate brown ale, kind of modeled after a Samoa cookie.”
Benfield says the industry is always trying to satisfy the cravings a ravenous customer base that’s constantly searching for the next big thing.
“You’re looking to see what can be done and what flavors can be brought in,” he says. “And for us, we like doing different beers. The caveat is it’s got to be good. It’s got to be drinkable. It can’t just be the gimmick trying to make the splash with the name and then not come through with the substance.”
Benfield adds there’s constant experimentation — and some of those experiments never see the light of day.
