Happy National Milky Way Day! In 1923, Frank C. Mars created the Milky Way candy bar in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was named after a malted milk that was popular during its release. It sold more than $800,000 in its first year. There are two versions of the Milky Way bar: in the United States, the bar is made of chocolate-malt nougat topped with caramel and covered in milk chocolate; the global Milky Way bar, the Mars Bar, is more like the 3 Musketeers bar, with no caramel topping. Peaks and Pints leans more toward the U.S. version as we dig caramel — especially in our craft beer. Celebrate this important holiday at Peaks and Pints with our caramel-forward Wednesday beer flight, Peaks & Pints Beer Flight: National Milky Way Day.

Peaks & Pints Beer Flight: National Milky Way Day

Anderson Valley Boont Amber

5.8% ABV

Anderson Valley Brewing’s Boont Amber is our customer’s go-to for highly drinkable amber. Boont Amber arrives at a dark copper with a massive, pearly head. The aroma is clean and dry, like field grasses with subtle, sweet orange scents. The flavor is balanced and clean, with caramel, toffee, macadamia nuts, and pecans that last long into the aftertaste. The hops lend both a citrus flavor and a moderate level of bitterness. Boont Amber’s thin body goes down easy; the carbonation only slightly bites the sides of the cheeks.

Oakshire Order of the Thistle

6.8% ABV

Wrap yourself in the warmth of Oakshire Brewing’s rich, malty Scotch ale, where layers of caramel, toffee, and fruity notes dance on the palate. Pouring a deep copper with a creamy tan head, this full-bodied beer offers a velvety texture that is as chewy as it is comforting.

Away Days Bucket Hat Bobby

9% ABV

Harnessing the spirits of all slain and martyred chickens through the inverted KFC bucket on his head, your cousin Bobby has come a long way since getting the top of his head scratched off in Colonel Sanders’s fabled hen-house disaster — although he still hits the barleywine hard. Including Away Days Brewing’s Bucket Hat Bobby barleywine on this flight is only appropriate. Although less heavy than other barleywines, Bucket Hat Bobby has raisin, toffee, fig, and big caramel flavors with subtle sweetness balanced by bitterness. The only thing missing might be coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and a biscuit.

North Coast Old Stock Ale

11.9% ABV

With a big sherry-like aroma, including hints of vanilla and peppery spice, we’re forewarned North Coast Brewing Old Stock Ale is stocky. Sure enough, our first taste highlights big brown sugar sweetness up front, with Champagne-grape and honey notes along for the ride. In the cocktail world, this beer would be an Old Fashioned. It’s hot with alcohol, lip-tingling, and young, with an assertive bitterness that belies the 34 IBUs. As good as it is today, it will significantly improve with time.

Ever Grain Mistress of Evil

14.2% ABV

This behemoth of a barleywine Ever Grain Brewing drew from three separate stocks of its barrel program. Blending barleywine aged 11-24 months in some of its favorite bourbon barrels, this vintage showcases figgy pudding, tobacco, rich bourbon, vanilla bean, and your grandmother’s favorite caramel candies.

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