Matching Popcorn with… beer?

I first met the folks from Cravings Popcorn when they came to a student group meeting I attended at MSU. Looking to get in students’ minds, we were part of a huge focus group and we were encouraged to shout out some ideas. My first thought: popcorn and beer.

As a college kid, I’ve had my fair share of beer, and while I’m no expert, I definitely know what tastes good. More important than the beer, however, is what goes with it. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy some pretzels or peanuts and some beer in front of the TV on Saturday? So, this is where I come in: I sat down with some friends, picked up a variety of Michigan beers, and started matching beer with popcorn.

Seems simple, right? Well, we used the highly scientific method to calculate which beers enhance which sections of the taste buds… erm, we actually just wrote down what we liked. After trying 10 different beers and four different popcorns (yes, that’s 40 different combinations), we came up with our top three:

· Bells White Ale with cheddar-flavored popcorn. We found that the crisp flavor of the white ale compliments cheddar popcorn well. Both sides of this mix taste lighter than other combinations, yet it still packs a flavorful punch.

· Michigan Brewing Company Nut Brown with Signature Caramel. This one was my personal favorite; I found the nutty flavors of the beer to go really well with the signature caramel. The flavors mixed well and overall I really enjoyed this combination the most.

· Michigan Brewing Company Stout with Kettle Corn. We found that you need something salty to go with a dark stout beer, and we found that in the Kettle Corn. The stout hints at some chocolate flavors while the salty Kettle Corn keeps you thirsty for more beer. It’s sweet and savory at its finest!

Stay tuned for more flavors and more pairings: all Michigan made!

N.B. All pictures feature those of legal age. Cravings Gourmet Popcorn promotes responsible drinking