Valentine’s Day Beer and Chocolate pairings

My wife gave me a nudge recently, reminded me that Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and I should do a beer and chocolates pairing. I’m pretty sure she just wanted some chocolates but it was a great suggestion, so here are a few options I put together that you might enjoy.

Lindeman’s Framboise and Raspberry Truffles. The Framboise is a raspberry Lambic; it’s sweet and sour, fruity and tart. The raspberry flavors in both the beer and the truffles make them a great pairing; the tart beer is a nice contrast to the creamy, chocolaty truffle. I found the dark chocolate raspberry truffle paired better than the milk or white chocolate but they were all good.

 

 

 

Smuttynose Finest Kind IPA and Salted Caramels. I like this pairing a lot, the IPA has a malty caramel flavored body that matches up well with the caramel candy but has enough bitterness from the hops to cut through the salt and chocolate leaving your palate cleansed.

 

 

 

 

Founders Breakfast Stout and Chocolate Dipped Bacon. I can’t visit Fore Street in Portland without stopping at Old Port Candy for some chocolate dipped bacon. Similar to a salted caramel the chocolate dipped bacon is a sweet and salty treat and bacon makes everything better. Founders breakfast stout is a double chocolate coffee oatmeal stout, breakfast in a bottle; the only thing missing is bacon.

 

 

 

 

 

I checked in with Bangor Wine and Cheese and the Bier Cellar in Portland, both of them carry the beers I’ve selected. I picked up the truffles and caramels at Specialty Sweets in Bangor. I need to thank Old Port Candy for sending me a photo of their awesome chocolate dipped bacon.

Cheers!

Chaddah

Chad Lothian

About Chad Lothian

Chad Lothian lives in Old Town, Maine. He is a craft beer enthusiast and homebrewer. Chad has travelled to brewpubs, breweries and brewfests all over New England.