Try This: Beer + Chocolate MatchingBy Rosie Crossman

We know what you’re thinking – beer and chocolate, surely not? Now don’t get me wrong, a can of Stella and a Mars Bar aren’t all that compatible, but if you explore a little deeper you will find that chocolate has a friend in beer.

The hoppy tang of beer compliments chocolate’s bitter and rich flavour, whilst the chocolate enhances beer’s fruity characters, it’s like a whole new orange for your chocolate. Walk with us through our favourite combinations and allow us to spark-up what could be an experimental period in your booze life. Here’s what we’re dabbling in in the About Time office:

#1 The Posh Beer & Nuts

What: Cherry-infused Liefmans Cuvée Brut (6%) is the champagne of the beer world, with a cork and wire that is more suited to Bolly. Equally, Prestat‘s Roasted Almonds, Sea Salt & Scrummy Milk Chocolate is the posh alternative to craving hula hoops after chocolate.

Why: The rich, sweet chocolate hit balances the tart bitterness of the beer, whilst the beers savoury after taste balances the sweetness.

Expect: A harmonious combination, that lingers in the mouth. Comparable to a red-headed love interest – a sweet, deep and strong explosion, with a tart bitterness and a generous splash of something sweet.   

#2 The Stout Duo

What: Stouts are an acquired taste, but something worth canoodling with. Ease yourself in with Brooklyn Brewery’s Black Chocolate Stout (10%) or arm wrestle with Kernel’s Imperial Stout (9%).

Go dark with Hotel Chocolat 70% Dark Chocolate Batons or go light with household favourite Green and Black’s White Chocolate.

Why: If you like bitter dark chocolate, it is definitely worth exaggerating this, with the deep smoky character Kernal. If you are a sucker for something creamy, and a little bit sweet, chomp the vanilla flecked G&B’s with Brooklyn.

Expect: Both combinations are rich, smooth and intense, with a soft texture and a rich after taste. Like an irresistibly deep, dark and dangerous holiday fling.

#3 The Caramel Beer Killer

What: The smooth Original beer (6.6%) from Innis and Gunn.

Sipped with Rococo’s magical morsels of Salted Caramel Rococo, Anglesey Milk Chocolate Sea Salted Caramel Grenache.

Why: The mellow, delicate vanilla and caramel flavours of the beer are intensified by the sticky and savoury caramel Grenache.

Expect: A delicious match, where neither beer nor chocolate dominate. Combining to give an intensely creamy and almost treacly taste. Like a well bought up and rather dishy fella, who is perfect to take home to your parents.

#4 The Blonde & The Beer 

What: The excellent offering from the Bermondsey-based Brew by Numbers – 02/01 – Montueka & Pacific Gade (5.4%). These guys are leading the craft beer charge with their excellent brews. Enjoy with Rococo’s tongue tingling, and rib-sticking Cardamon White Chocolate.

Why: The Golden Ale is packed with intensely refreshing juicy fruit and hoppy flavours. The peculiar chocolate, has just enough savoury spice to match up to it.

Expect: A moreish combination and easily our favourite match. The refreshing beer stands up to the chocolate’s warmth, mulling together to accentuating each other’s floral flavours. Much like entertaining the idea of a bearded and bedraggled east London hipster, so edgy they’re octagonal.

#5 The Beer-y Nice Chocolate

 

What: The small batch Hotel Chocolat Cocoa Shell Infused Beer (4.7%).

Why: If you don’t feel like you are ready to canoodle with chocolate and beer, try this porter-style English ale.

Expect: A well-rounded rich dark and bitter brew. The beer has just a hint of tobacco, coffee and cocoa, making it a good balance of sweet and savoury.