Peanut Butter Stout Caramel Corn.
I don’t think this needs much of an intro.
San Diego has an amazing craft beer culture. Â Vegas and I have made it our mission to try it all. Â #sorryimnotsorry
But beer isn’t just for drinking – it also makes for some strange but good kitchen experiments.  I’ve used it in chili, hummus, and pumpkin bread… why not as a popcorn flavor?
Popcorn, pre-mix
The Belching Beaver Peanut Butter Milk Stout was recommended to us by a helpful Whole Foods employee.  It’s lovely – so much so that it’s won medals at the World Beer Championships (yes, that’s a thing). I can’t beat their description, so here it is:
Our Peanut Butter Milk Stout is simply irresistible. It’s like dark chocolate Reese’s in a glass! Rolled oats and Lactose add to the creamy body of this beer while heavenly aromas of roasted buttery peanuts and chocolate greet you with every sip. Try this out with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a real treat!”
While it is quite delicious, a giant bottle of peanut butter stout is a lot to take down (that’s what she said). Â Naturally, IÂ began thinking of alternative uses for what I couldn’t drink.
This popcorn is damn good. Â When Vegas won’t stop eating something, I know it’s not just “Laura’s being strange again” good.
Remember Cracker Jacks?  It’s like that, but with a beer twist.  The bold stout provided enough of a punch to stay detectable in each bite.  It was the perfect compliment to the sweet crunch of the caramel.
We ate a bunch of it plain, but some was used as a crunch garnish to another beer creation… which will be coming soon to a blog near you. 😉
Peanut Butter Stout Caramel Corn
- 1/3 CÂ corn kernels
- 1/2 C brown sugar
- 1 T brown rice syrupÂ
- 1/2 C peanut butter milk stout, plus 2 T, divided*
- 3Â TÂ coconut oil
Preheat oven to 250. Â Line a large baking sheet with parchment or non-stick foil.
Place the corn kernels in a brown paper bag. Â Fold the top over a couple of times. Â Place in the microwave with the folded side down and microwave on high for ~3 mins. Â
Listen for the popping to slow and remove from microwave. Â You should have about 7 cups of popcorn. Â You may have to do this in two batches.
Pour the popped corn onto the baking sheet, spreading out in an even layer.
Next, prepare the caramel sauce by adding brown sugar, syrup, 1/2 cup of stout, and butter to a medium saucepan over high heat. Â Stir just until the sugar dissolves.
Allow to boil for 8-9 mins without stirring.  Stir briefly to ensure that sauce has thickened.  Remove from heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of beer.
Carefully pour the sauce over the corn, stirring to coat evenly.
Place in oven and bake for 20 mins. Â Remove from own, toss the popcorn, and bake for another 20 mins.
Remove from oven and allow to cool until hardened. Store in an air-tight container or baggie.
*You can use any stout here… but if you find the Belching Beaver Peanut Butter Stout, I highly recommend it.
How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week? The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends! Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.
Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂
***
I’ll be making more of this for the 4th of July festivities!
Have you ever made your own flavored popcorn?
For those in the US, do you have your 4th of July planned yet?  I have no idea where to go in SD!
I loved cracker jacks :-). Is there actually milk in that beer? Because if not, I’m all over this.
It is a milk stout, but you could use a different beer here. Just make sure it’s something strong or the flavor will get lost.
Any popcorn is kind awesome! I’ve started an addiction to it just a few months ago when I started eating it again! My favorite is the “savory” blend the company Sneaky’s uses (spirulina, nooch, and some spices) (It’s this green coating that makes it looks moldy…which is awesome, hahahahaha!) Tastes amazing though!
I have a bag of organic unpopped kernels that I’ll be playing around with soon for my own recipe!
That sounds awesome! Maybe next week’s #strangebutgood should be spirulina popcorn…
This sounds really good- I love the combo of the nutty beer with sweet and salty popcorn- add the crunchy texture and you have yourself an addiction. A perfect trio.
Oh my word! This looks so incredible! Sweet, salty and crunchy…a perfect combination!
Definitely strange but also does look good! Have a great weekend 🙂
This looks so so good! And it’s so very creative! I curse myself for not getting that far west this year to get my hands on a bottle of this beer!!!!!
I haven’t made popcorn in ages but I have those really cute popcorn boxes I wanted to use for ages! Maybe I try this with malt beer. We have a rather sweet and heavy brand here that could work.
Thanks! You could use any good beer here. Have you been able to find any Rogue beers? They do some fun flavors that would work… including one with Vodoo doughnuts!
LOL!!! That’s what she said 🙂 Love it and that beer sounds…interesting….I like what you’ve done with it.
Died. Heaven. I’ve. and. Went to. ERMEHGERD. I’ve had this stout before and it is so good. Have you had Sweet Baby Jesus? It is a chocolate peanut butter stout and man does it pack a punch too!
Ummmm… no! I’m on the hunt now though. Thanks!
I love this idea! Who would have thought that you can add beer to popcorn? Yum 🙂
I’m a firm believer that you can (and should) add beer to anything. 😉
Now I’m on a mission to try this choco PB stout- definitely one of my favorite types of beer- there are a couple local breweries that make one too. Absolutely jealous of your San Diego beer scene- please visit Stone and Ballast Point and Green Flash for me!?
You don’t have to ask me twice! I’ve actually been to Ballast Point this week. Twice.
ok i don’t even like beer but that sounds amazing!
I love popcorn especially sweet and salty! Yum!!!
Wowza! This sounds so amazing (and for a moment I thought – wait, I thought this was Friday thing…oh yea, it IS friday!). Please come visit and make me a batch. 🙂
Hahaha! You guys provide the beer and I’ll make popcorn alllll day long.
This looks ridiculously good. Peanut butter anything is delicious.. I definitely need to try this
Thanks! Please let me know what you think if you do try it!
I would definitely try this. I am a huge fan of stout beer and also peanut butter! #Yum!
Thanks Sandra! I’d love to hear what you think!
You have put so many delicious things together here- pb, caramel, popcorn. This has to be amazing!
Incredible. This’ll have to wait for a time my middle kid isn’t around, with her peanut allergy. But this stuff could be my new baseball staple, even without the toy prize.
Thank Eli! You could make it with any good stout (but that PB was tasty).
ahhh why must you post a stout? I need a good GF one to make this and i’ve only found piss poor ones. BOO! can you make me wine popcorn next? LOL! please?
Actually… I bet that could work!
Little genius. I love caramel.
Did you already try out the waffle / beer place?
No! I’m waiting for you to come back.
Seriously I have a guest bedroom – you and Lindsay Cotter need to come for a week and teach me how to cook.
I think you should just both come here!
Boozy cracker jacks!!! Count me in.
Lush.
You say it like it’s a bad thing. 🙂