Leave the milk and cookies to the Scouts. If you’re a beer lover, earn your (unofficial) pairing merit badge by teaming up Girl Scout cookies with local beers.

From a stout that pairs wonderfully with the tried-and-true Thin Mints to a tart and fruity cider that’s a no-brainer with 2023’s newest cookie, the Raspberry Rally, these combos will help you make the most of your yearly ration of Girl Scout cookies.

(Sales end March 12; there’s a cookie finder app at bit.ly/3Z6oBoY to help you find a booth near you).

We asked brewers to pair cookies with their beers.

Here’s what they recommend sipping with your cookies.

Raspberry Rally and Stem Ciders’ Raspberry Cider

The Girl Scouts are selling a new cookie this year: Raspberry Rally, a sister cookie to the fan-favorite Thin Mint. Instead of a mint flavor, though, the cookie has a raspberry flavor, but is dipped in the same chocolaty coating. Pair this crispy cookie with a can of cider.

“Featuring the perfect balance of tartness from the use of raspberry puree and dry apple cider base, Stem Cider’s Raspberry cider perfectly accentuates the fruit-forward jammy qualities of Raspberry Rally while providing just enough pucker to complement its dry crisp finish,” said Patrick Combs, director of liquids for Stem Ciders in Lafayette and Denver.

Trefoils and Howdy Beer’s Western Pilsner

The Girl Scouts’ original cookie recipe was a simple sugar cookie with butter, sugar, milk, eggs, flour and a touch of baking powder. Trefoils, a simple shortbread cookie, are inspired by the original recipe.

“Light, biscuity and refreshing, Lafayette’s Howdy Beer Western Pilsner pairs perfectly with Trefoils in its bready profile and no-frills approach toward a crowd-pleasing classic,” said Combs.

Our takeaway: Beer and cookies are suitable for brunch.

Lemon Ups and WestFax Brewing Company’s Westy Light

If your idea of dessert is key lime pie, lemon pie or orange chiffon cake, then the Lemon Ups are the tart and underrated Girl Scout cookie well-suited for citrus lovers.

Lemon Ups are glazed on the bottom and come inscribed with little affirmations, like “I Am Gutsy.” Sync it up with an easy-drinking lager like the Westy Light for a “summer shandy-esque flavor,” said Anthony Martuscello, founder of WestFax. What snow in the forecast?

Adventurefuls and LUKI’s Pitchman Porter

Last year, the Girl Scouts went gourmet on us when they introduced Adventurefuls, brownie-inspired cookies with a caramel filling, chocolate drizzle and a dash of sea salt. (If you’re a lover of brown butter cookies or brownies, Adventurefuls are for you.)

Try them with Luki’s Pitchman porter, which “features a biscuity base and a top layer of chocolate through specialty malts and aging on cacao nibs,” said Jeff Smith, co-founder at LUKI, a circus-inspired brewery in Arvada.

Thin Mints and WestFax Brewing Company’s Westy Light Velveteen Dry Irish Stout

The best-selling Thin Mints have been around since 1939, but were first called “Cooky Mints.” Pair a couple, or a sleeve, with the Westy Light Velveteen Dry Irish Stout. “Thin Mints are my favorite, and I think the roasty and chocolatey flavors of Velveteen Dry Irish Stout complement the crunchy chocolate cookie,” said Martuscello.

Do-si-dos and Wynkoop Brewing Company’s Wixa Weiss

“Wynkoop’s classic German-style hefeweizen has big notes of banana and clove, which nicely balance with the oatmeal and peanut butter in the Do-si-dos, making a classic breakfast flavor,” said Wynkoop Brewing Company’s head brewer, Todd Bellmyer.

Samoas and Denver Beer Co’s Maui Express Coconut IPA

A few years back, the most popular Girl Scout cookies were plotted on amap and the chewy coconut cookies that are Samoas showed up as Colorado’s favorite.

Andy Parker, director of innovation for Denver Beer Co., says Maui Express Coconut IPA is the perfect beer for it.