#17 Beercandy Giveaway and Review!

Momma Told Me regulars, please pay attention to Bonus Entries as some have changed for this event!

Momma Told Me: If you could figure out how to combine your father's 2 favorite things (beer and chocolate), he'd be one happy man!

The further we get into Spring, and the closer to backyard BBQ/Sports season, the more beer lovers such as my father rejoice. It's odd, to think my dad gave up nearly all alcohol on principle while I was growing up, to see him enjoying his bachelorhood kicking back a brewsky while watching the game. As an adult, I rarely drink, but I do love a good Pale Ale now and then, and I especially love to cook with a Stout or Lager! Other than stuffing a can of Millers up some poor chicken's hiney (in the name of deliciously moist meat, or course), the hoppy taste of beer can make for a wonderful marinade and flavorful base. However, outside of curious articles and clips on Foodie zines and TV shows I'd never conceived a use for Beer in Candy. Thankfully, I live in America and someone else has!

I'm not talking about your 'dull' traditional liqour flavor chocolates either, these are fully integrated recipes with gourmet confections and quality beer for the truly passionate beer (or chocolate) junky! Conceived in 1999 by the co-creator of local So. Cal Hollywood Blonde Brew, Beer Candy was actually less of a dream and more of a whim creation. When founder Steve Casselman was dared to find a viable use for a particularly tart batch of exotic home-brewed beer and formulated the first ever Beercandy Lollipop. It turned out crafting confections from lagers and stouts required a special type of mad-scientist chef, as the components commonly found in beer alter setting and flavor properties vastly. It turns out these components were much better suited to caramels- though the caramels didn't hold their shape, so chocolate was brought in and the rest is Beer History!

Interestingly enough it would be 10 years before the brand became a brand, and a company was born when Steve's wife Susie committed to spearheading the concept. As you might imagine a candy created by such loyal beer enthusiasts is taken with the utmost thought and consideration in design and execution. There are currently 4 Beercandy caramels made from 4 distinct varieties of beer; India Pale Ale, Stout, Lager, and Lambic. While hard candies are working their way into production, customers can most readily purchase the caramels at this time. I was surprised to see just how smooth the marketing and packaging for this product was, with consideration to gift worthy boxes, and a color scheme that reminds of Willy Wonka in a delightfully grown up way! I had a chance to sample the brands 4 Chocolate Enrobed Beer Caramels for review here on Momma Told Me.

Now, it's not everyday you come across a hops infused confection, and I while I'd had cookies made with a beer base I was unsure of what to expect from the execution of such traditional sweetness. Would the texture be smooth, the flavor overpowering, or the appearance acceptable? It turns out these caramels are crafted with the same attention to detail as your leading box of chocolates, carefully designated by coating or accent for easy identification and playfully unsuspecting. My absolute favorite (which surprised me) has to be the Dark Chocolate Coated Raspberry Lambic caramel. Not only does it have dainty pink drizzle atop it, but the sour beer interacts perfectly with the tart berry essence, and it's as smooth as your favorite beer! This confection melted in my mouth and had very little aftertaste, though beer was certainly present! The strongest beer presence was certainly the White Chocolate coated IPA, which had a distinct hoppy essence and thick caramel chew texture.

In general, I believe Beercandy is a wonderful novelty for the Chocolate or Beer curious, and wonderful treat for those who take their beer serious. I'd love to see the brand integrate pairing suggestions as well as more savory recipes (think wasabi dusted, or cinnamon infused) for their caramels. The hoppy taste pairs best with tart and warm flavors, forcing the sweetness too much can make the experience overpowering in my opinion.

What Daughter Says: Beer lovers rejoice, now you can have your Beer and Chocolate too!

One lucky Momma Told Me follower will win a 12 PC box of Beercandy caramels and T-Shirt!

---Check out ALL of the Blog POP! Spring Fling Giveaways here!---

Mandatory Entry: You must be a Momma Told Me follower, then visit Beercandy, and tell me what you'd like to try most!

Extra Entries:
*'Like Beercandy on Facebook +1
*Leave a comment on the Beercandy Facebook wall about someone you know who would love to try Beercandy (EX: MY husband would love to try your IPA Caramel!) +2
*Blog about this giveaway +4
*Subscribe to Momma Told Me via email +2
*'Like' Momma Told Me on Facebook AND share this giveaway +2
*Follow Momma Told Me on Twitter AND tweet this giveaway +2
*Vote for us on Picket Fence Blogs here and claim +2 bonus entries!
*Enter the Gourmet Orchards Blog giveaway of the week +2
*'Like' Tavern Direct on Facebook +2
*Follow the Blog Pop! blogs: (+1 each)

1. Confessions of An Overworked Mom
2. Momma Told Me

3. Making Ends Meet
4. Stash Mama
5. Socialite's Closet Blog
6. Turning The Clock Back
7. Still Blonde After All these Years
8. Dad of Divas
9. Quick Tattle Tails
10. My Life With Rats And More

Giveaway begins May 6, 2011 and ends 12:01 AM PST on May 16, 2011. Winner will be notified via email, and posted here. Entries valid within US. Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn. Prize will be transferred via sponsor.

As required by the FTC: I received no monetary compensation for this review. I received a product sample for the purpose of my review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.