The Beerkery
Marie Chantel Hardy was destined to be involved with food.
Marie Chantel Hardy was destined to be involved with food. Her mother is French and both grandmothers were good cooks too. Now, her food science background has taken her to new levels. It all started when she was baking apple pie and enjoying a beer. Why not combine her two loves - baking and flavorful craft beer? Her friends, loving her baked goods, said why not spin this off into a business?
About nine months ago The Beerkery was conceived. Marie now produces in her licensed home kitchen a variety of beer-infused baked items, from a garlicky bread to frosted cupcakes to an apple pie made with local hard cider. The beers used range from wheat beer to rich stouts. Marie explains that the alcohol burns off, leaving a distinct tang of hops or flavors from unique New England craft beers.
On the sweet side are the Beerkery cupcakes. The chocolate chip with bacon bits is infused with chocolate beer sauce and frosted with a creamy beer frosting.
Hardy also bakes three breads including the Vampires Love Garlic, studded with fresh garlic, and her Italian Flag is multi-colored with sun-dried tomatoes, basil and garlic. The Queso con Jalapeno is a sourdough bread featuring the marriage of sharp cheddar cheese and a bitter craft beer. The loaf is finally topped with jalapenos. (Breads are $10.95.)
One of her more popular items are beer-infused sauces. The sweet sauces are made with white or dark chocolate, sugar and a measure of beer. One has just enough jalapeno to give a hot finishing note. Another is a caramel with a Hooksett Ale from White Birch Brewing and a hit of cream. She preserves them, so they are shelf stable until opened to serve on pancakes or ice cream or spooned from the jar when no one is looking.
To enjoy her items, Hardy recommends pairing them with a similar beer. Yes, beer and cupcakes. Actually, she was invited to participate in the Southern NH Beer Festival in Hooksett this summer on the grounds of White Birch Brewing. Beer tasters were raving about her goods.
All items are baked to order from online sales out of her Northfield home.
