Lakewood to pour and pair Cotton Candy Bacon Blonde Ale at 2024 State Fair of Texas

Wim Bens and Isaac Rousso partake in a monster pairing (Lakewood Brewing Co.).

Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland will become the latest North Texas brewery to serve a unique beer recipe at the State Fair of Texas, once its Cotton Candy Bacon Blonde Ale makes its debut during the 2024 event.

According to a press release, Cotton Candy Bacon Blonde Ale is "a cotton candy and bacon flavored blonde ale that is light, slightly sweet, and easy drinking." The beer will pair alongside Rousso's Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick, a creation from longtime concessionaire Isaac Rousso which won the "Best Taste - Sweet" category at this year's Big Tex Choice Awards.

“To be fair, this was a challenge even for our creative crew,” says Wim Bens, founder and president of Lakewood. “We’ve put bacon in beer before, and we’ve done fun sweet flavors as well, but to put both in a beer and make it super drinkable took a group effort. But the finished brew turned out fantastic. It’s easy to drink, has a slight cotton candy sweet taste and some smoky bacon in the nose.  We’re beyond excited to partner with Rousso’s and can’t wait to have a few while strolling the Midway!” 

As for the beer's pairing partner, Rousso's Cotton Candy on a Stick is honey-smoked bacon on a stick cooked with a special seasoning and secret cotton candy syrup glaze. It's then wrapped in fluffy cotton candy and lightly caramelized to "created the most unique piece of bacon in all of Texas, or anywhere for that matter."

Cotton Candy Bacon Blonde Ale will be available in the Magnolia Beer Garden at The State Fair of Texas from September 27 to October 20. It will also be on tap in the Lakewood Taproom.