Being a troop leader and mom of a fanatic cookie seller, I have a love/hate relationship with Girl Scout cookie season. I love the cookies; I hate the cookies.
While my eleven-year-old has a fabulous sales pitch – pair frozen Thin Mints with vanilla ice cream or place a roasted marshmallow between two S’mores cookies for the ultimate s’mores treat – I’d like to propose some more grown-up, local pairings.
I’m sure none of our local establishments would mind if you showed up with a tote bag full of your favorite Girl Scout cookies. Below you’ll find our perfect pairings with local Rochester MN beer and wine!
Perfect Pairings
Thanks-a-Lot
This shortbread- chocolate combo is delicious with a milk stout. Head over to Forager Brewery for a Mexican Mocha.
Lemonades
Shortbread with a little lemon frosting calls for partnering with more citrus. Go for the Beer J IPA at Grand Rounds Brewing Co.
Shortbread
Shortbread is a simple, buttery cookie. This flavor lends itself to lots of drink options. Try it with Browncoat, an American brown ale from LTS Brewing Company. Or Kinney Creek Brewery’s Sunny Days Light Ale (a blonde ale). Another great option would be a can of Loon Juice (hard cider) from Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery.
Thin Mints
The quintessential Girl Scout cookie is perfect with a dark stout. Try it with Forager Brewery’s Sherpa’s Survival Kit.
Or for a different approach, partner it with Kinney Creek Brewery’s Special Smoked Porter.
Peanut Butter Patties
Sometimes opposites attract; sometimes it’s fun to pair like with like. Combine this cookie with Alien Candy, a peanut butter milk stout from Grand Rounds Brewing Co. and the matching flavors are perfect!
Another option is Dark Skies from Salem Glen Vineyard & Winery. What better than a dessert wine with a cookie?
S’mores
A graham cracker cookie with a layer of marshmallow crème dipped in milk chocolate would be perfect with some contrasting flavor. I’d suggest something a little fruity, like the Funky Dangerfield at Forager Brewery.
Caramel deLites
Here’s another cookie that tastes great when you go “matchy-matchy.” Sip a little Hawaiian 507 Coconut Stout from Grand Rounds Brewing Co. with this coconut caramel cookie.
Peanut butter sandwich
The peanut butter filling is stuck between two oatmeal cookies. What better to wash it down with than a Hot Blonde, a malty brew, from Forager Brewery?
Chasm (with Coconut) is a Stout Oatmeal from Kinney Creek Brewery that would also pair nicely with this cookie.
Hungry? Find cookies here!
Girl Scout cookies and local grown-up drinks: a winning combination.
