Chocolate triggers the release of Endorphins which is known to develop euphoric feelings. It also contains Phenylethylamine, the Love Drug, lifting well-being and contentment.
It’s no surprise chocolate has always been present in romantic settings! It’s velvety, warming, comforting and playful at once! There are actually a lot of analogies between beer and chocolate from a process perspective! (Check a previous post for more on this!)
Did you know that there’s a malt quality that is actually named « Chocolate malt ». It’s a kiln-roasted malt with a very dark color and some notes of bitter dark chocolate. It’s often used to brew dessert beers or sweet stout.
Chocolate pairs wonderfully well with beer. Think about Dark Chocolate and Sour Cherry beer, Milk hazelnut chocolate and Brown Ale, White chocolate and Belgian citrussy wit,… (you can find a very useful infographic in the download section of this website).
For this year’s Valentine day I wanted to share some great “pairing” executions in beer and beyond to give you some inspiration!
The most unexpected
Heinz Ketchup has launched the Tomacaron in collaboration with Top chocolatier Fauchon. If even Heinz Ketchup can find a way to connect with the cosy and romantic mood of Valentine I mean… everybody can!
The classics
Many restaurants and pubs have taken the opportunity of Valentine to offer a custom pairing sampler. A premium, playful and easy to set up experience!
All in One
Brewing with Chocolate often result in dark, valvety, rich beers! Some take a more complex “Mexican Mole” type route, other go full indulgence in a the form of a Lava cake. Consider this is a dessert beer in itself!
Collaborations
Some brands have been able to execute collaborations with chocolatiers, like Hershey’s and Yuengling (the oldest crat brewery of US), Brewdog and Tony’s Chocolonely…
Beer Chocolate
Just like the Chocolate beers I just introduced, it’s possible to create Beer infused chocolates!
Chocolate Champagne
Belgian Chocolate & French Chardonnay
Chocolate in a Bottle was created with the idea of blending the most famous product of Belgium and France. Chocolate in a Bottle® is a gourmet sparkling wine from the south of France made with Chardonnay grapes and hinted with notes of dark Belgian chocolate and hazelnuts.
Coffee & Chocolate
If there’s a company leveraging any possible Seasonal occasion or Celebration opportunity to offer something new… that’s Starbuck’s.
For this year’s Valentine they have added some specials on the menu!.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Crème Frappuccino® Blended Beverage: A take on the beloved Valentine’s Day dessert, with swirls of happiness and rich java chips.
Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Cold Brew: made with Starbucks® Cold Brew, sweetened with hazelnut syrup and topped with silky chocolate cream cold foam and chocolate cookie crumble topping.
And by the way I’m Belgian, so,… yes Chocolate and Beer just naturally make sense for me! Living on the east coast I managed to find a boutique Belgian chocolatier in Fairfield CT. Give them a try!!!
