Atomic Firebeers!

Okay, well, it probably won’t be that hot, but it will be flavored like cinnamon hearts.   This week, since the GABF is in town, I wanted to do something that was a little more crazy and daring and release a Red Hot Cinnamon Wheat this Wednesday at 4PM.  I actually have made this beer before as a homebrewer and the results were surprisingly good.  For what to expect, read on:

• Ferrara Pan, is the company that makes Red Hots as well as Lemonheads, Boston Baked Beans and Atomic Fireballs!
• Red Hots brand candy were developed in the 1930’s
• “cinnamon imperials" is a generic name used by the candy industry to indicate a piece of cinnamon hard candy (“Cinnamon Imperials Wheat” has a nice ring to it, but beer lovers would be expecting a high proof instead)
• This candy is made at 245degF in a vacuum, which removes all the moisture and turns into the hard candy we know
• There is actually an inner candy and an outer candy shell (both made from sugar)
• Due to the coloring in the candy, the beer turns bright RED!
• The cinnamon flavor is strongly spicy but not necessarily hot like an atomic fireball. (does this mean we won’t have beer breath?)

Uses for Red Hots, besides putting in beer…I actually only know of two:

1. eat them like candy…because they are candy
2. put them on baked goods like sugar cookies or gingerbread houses (aka a decoration like “sprinkles”)

What else have you used these candies for?

Prost!