The Hiker's Pantry: Beer Brittle

Last week I discovered my new favorite trail snack. It's probably not the healthiest thing you can toss in your backpack, but considering it was an impulse purchase I picked up after a tour of Cape Cod Beer's Hyannis brewery, I don't think I chose too poorly. Bonus: this particular confection comes in both sweet and spicy varieties. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, for example, adds jalapeño to their version. 

The beer brittle I bought was made by Cabot's Candy of Provincetown, Massachusetts, and included a pinch of cayenne pepper along with peanuts, sugar, corn syrup, butter, Cape Cod beer, milk, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon. In terms of nutrition, my eight ounce package was 210 calories including 11 grams of fat (2 g saturated), 2 grams of fiber, 17 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein per serving. If you're the sort of person who knows how to use a kitchen, you can also make your own—the Homebrew Chef has a simple recipe. Just remember, if you do decide to carry beer brittle on your next day hike, the Leave No Trace principles remind us to pack the empty bag back out with our other trash. Oh, and no matter how excited you might be to try this or any other trail treat, don't forget to bring a map.