We Tasted the Guinness x Last Crumb Cookie Collab — And It’s Surprisingly Excellent

At first glance, pairing Guinness with cookies may seem to some like a holiday gimmick designed more for Instagram than actual enjoyment. Milk and cookies? Timeless classic. Beer and cookies? Tougher sell.

And yet, tasting the Guinness x Last Crumb collaboration the way it’s intended — cookie in one hand, pint of Guinness in the other — was a great experience. You don’t need to dunk your dessert in the stout (although, sort of tempting?). This is more about pairing the classic tasting notes of Guinness with several flavors you wouldn’t expect to encounter while sipping stout.

The limited-edition collection comprises six oversized cookies: three baked with Guinness and three Last Crumb classics designed to pair alongside it. Together, they form a fun guided tasting that works best when shared (these are pretty hefty cookies, after all) — indoors, away from the cold.

We had a blast tasting through these; time for a taste test!

The Guinness Cookies

Infused with stout; Guinness notes prevalent but not overpowering

Pub Cookie (Guinness Chocolate Chip)

This is the most Guinness-forward cookie in the box, and the one stout lovers will gravitate toward first. Rich and deeply flavorful, it carries a pronounced malty character that mirrors the roasted notes in Guinness itself. Dark chocolate and buttery toffee round things out, while a light dusting of salt keeps the sweetness in check. Paired with a sip of Guinness, the stout character feels right at home.

Twist & Stout (Guinness Raspberry Cocoa Milkshake)

Inspired by the pub tradition of adding fruit syrup to a pint, this cookie leans sweet and bright. Jammy raspberry flavor leads the way, coming across as fresh rather than artificial, with cocoa adding depth underneath. Compared to the Pub Cookie, the Guinness presence here is more subtle, acting as a backdrop rather than a headline. It’s playful and dessert-forward, especially appealing to those who prefer fruit-driven sweets.

Not Your Nan’s (Guinness Sticky Toffee Pudding)

This is where the collaboration clicks most clearly. Big malty Guinness notes pair naturally with soft toffee sweetness, creating a warm, nostalgic and cohesive flavor profile. The stout adds depth, enhancing the pudding-like character of the cookie. Heat this one up for a few seconds in the microwave before enjoying, and top with the butterscotch frosting that comes with the kit. This is indulgent in the best way.

The Pairing Cookies

The ones that don’t taste anything like stout; the ones to share with your kids.

The Barrel Roll (Banana Cream)

Texturally, this is the most different cookie in the lineup. It’s very soft, almost pudding-like, with rich banana bread flavors and white chocolate sweetness. While a bit one-note on its own, pairing with Guinness brings balance, cutting through the richness and adding structure with each sip.

Peanut Butter Guinness Time

Dryer and crumbly compared to the others, this cookie is unapologetically peanut-buttery, with a roasted peanut character that echoes the subtle nuttiness found in Guinness’s roasted barley. Peanut butter fans will love this one, and the pairing works especially well for those who enjoy savory-leaning desserts.

Midnight Snack (Birthday Cake)

Light, fluffy and nostalgic, this is classic birthday cake territory — sweet, buttery and sprinkle-heavy. As a birthday cake fan, I love it. On its own, it’s joyful but straightforward. Guinness is what keeps it interesting, with the stout’s bitterness cutting the sugar and resetting the palate between bites.

The Verdict

The best and most surprising part of the experience is how essential Guinness is to the tasting; the pint makes a difference! Despite instinct saying milk would make more sense, the stout works far better. Its bitterness slices through the sweetness of the cookies, acting as a palate cleanser and adding contrast that keeps the lineup from feeling overwhelming.

This collaboration works because it respects both sides of the equation. Guinness isn’t treated as a novelty ingredient, and the cookies aren’t just vehicles for branding. Together, they create a playful and thoughtful tasting experience — one that rewards slowing down, sharing bites and sipping deliberately.

It’s festive, a little indulgent and absolutely worth trying while it’s still available — preferably with a fresh pint poured and nowhere else you need to be.

The Last Crumb x Guinness giftbox collaboration is available via The Last Crumb for $120. It comes with the six cookies, two Guinness glasses and a limited-edition cookie tin.