Do you remember Goetze caramel cream candies from when you were a kid? I sure do. Maybe you still enjoy them from time to time, as I sure do. Now what if I told you you could get that delightful chewy candy flavor-but in a beer. You can, in the form of Due South Caramel Cream Ale from the Due South Brewing Company of Boynton Beach, Florida.
Due South Caramel Cream Ale is not made with caramel cream candies of course, but it is made with caramel malts and vanilla beans. To my taste, the caramel malts emulate the chewy outer caramel of a Goetz candy, while the vanilla beans simulate the sweet inner filling.
From the brewery website:
Our Caramel Cream Ale was developed to showcase the wonderful caramel notes in dark crystal malts. In addition to the malt complexity and creamy mouthfeel, this beer finishes with a hint of vanilla. There are no substitutes for this very special American Ale.
Interesting Fact: The unforgettable flavor of this beer is the result of 100′s of test brews to refine the recipe and method. Head brewer and brewery owner, Mike Halker, brewed this beer for his wife Jodi who, for 2 years, kept saying “almost” until he worked his magic and made it the beer it is today.
Due South Caramel Cream Ale has an alcohol content of 5% by volume with 18 IBUs.
Due South Caramel Cream Ale pours to a dark caramel color with a thick frothy head and an inviting caramel cream nose. Taking a sip the beer has chewy caramel malt up front followed by fruity raisin notes and finally soft vanilla. It finishes slightly sweet, but not overly so as it’s balanced by earthy, herbal hops. As I said, this reminds me of a Goetz Caramle Cream candy, if perhaps a bitter Goetz Caramel Cream candy.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft