When 18,000-plus buyers converged at San Francisco’s cavernous Moscone Center for the 2013 Winter Fancy Food Show recently, beer was on nearly everybody’s lips!
This international three-day event showcases the up and coming trends in both foods and beverages for the year at hand. Critics and buyers who attend rub elbows with hundreds of hopeful companies (and some lucky individuals, too) who display and eagerly offer samples of their wares. This year more than 1300 vendors were present, making for one gigantic snack fest!
Beer came in second place, barely edged out by coconut, for the blue ribbon spot. But the variety and depth of the beer-laced creations seems to be just the tip of the iceberg. The success of the object of your favorite Beer of the Month Club’s affections is sure to fuel the fire of imagination for future Foodies.
In 2013, some of the newly notable beer-laced goodies that can be found include:
CRACKERS & BREADS infused with the flavors of different beer types (notably porter and pilsner flavors);
JELLIES & CHEESES boasting brew-bonuses;
CANDY of varying ingredients, all laced with beer, including chocolate creations, pralines, nuts, and even Peanut Brittle, and;
BAKERY GOODS, ranging from cakes and pies, to cookies and brownies.
Add these newbies to all the established recipes for beer-infused appetizers, meats, stews, marinades, sauces, etc., and it’s clear there’s no limit!
