Jelly Bean Beer Flavor: Parents Outraged Over Jelly Belly's Alcoholic Twist, Wonder if Cigarette Jelly Bean is Next
Beer just got a little bit sweeter with the introduction of the first ever beer-flavored jelly bean. On Saturday, Jelly Belly Candy Company announced their new Draft Beer Jelly Belly jelly beans.
"This took about three years to perfect," Ambrose Lee, research and development manager for Jelly Belly Candy Company, said in a press release. "The recipe includes top secret ingredients, but I can tell you it contains no alcohol."
The beer flavored jelly bean made its uniquely flavored debut at San Francisco's Winter Fancy Food Show this week and will soon hit Cologne, Germany's ISM.
The jelly bean's beer flavor is inspired by a hefeweizen ale, in honor of Jelly Belly's German roots.
"I love the flavors in a good beer, and Jelly Belly has managed to get that from brew to bean in an incredible way," Jackie Dodd, cookbook author and The Beeroness blogger, said. "Jelly Belly found a way to fit 15 pints in the palm of your hand, they deserve an award."
The beer jelly bean is not Jelly Belly's first venture into alcohol-flavored treats. The first alcohol-inspired jelly bean came with 1977's Mai Tai jelly bean. The alcohol line grew to include Blackberry Brandy, Strawberry Daquiri, Piña Colada, Margarita and 2010's Mojito jelly bean flavors.
"Usually the factory has a sweet and fruity aroma, but when we're making this flavor it's just like being in an ale house," Jeff Brown, vice president in charge of manufacturing for Jelly Belly Candy Company, said.
Alcohol enthusiasts are excited for on a new spin on (two) old favorites.
"About time! #JellyBelly Unveils #BeerFlavoredJellyBean. How did we live without this?!" Booze News said via Twitter.
Some parents, on the other hand, disagree.
"It's just so wrong to have this flavor," Amy Mehalko said on Jelly Belly's Facebook page. "Very disappointed. Why not just make a cigarette flavor while [you're] at it."
"We don't need that for our children," another user added. "We aren't going to buy any more. Just lost a lot of customers this way."
Still, it seems that as long as the jelly bean actually tastes like beer, and not some sweet/bitter abomination, Jelly Belly could have adults' new favorite bean on its hands.
"Anyone who enjoys a good, cold beer will enjoy Draft Beer Jelly Belly beans for the simple fact that it tastes just as you'd imagine," Rob Swaigen, vice president of marketing for Jelly Belly Candy Company, said.