Episode 04: Beer & Chocolate Pairing Basics

How do you pair craft beer and bean to bar chocolate?

Craft beer and bean to bar chocolate offer separate diverse worlds of flavor, and when those worlds are brought together, the possible pairing combinations are endless.

There are specific considerations to take into account however when pairing beer and chocolate, and in this episode we discuss the steps for officiating a beautiful union between these celebrants.

What chocolate should you pair with a wine barrel-aged black Belgian Tripel brewed with coffee, or a Milk Stout brewed with goat milk? How about a dark milk chocolate bar, or a bar made with cinnamon? Listen to find out!

Beers discussed in this episode include New Belgium Trippel, Warped Wing 2018 Cabernet Barrel Pirogue, Seventh Son Qahwah, and Ommegang Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Stout. 

Chocolate discussed in this episode include 20/20 Chicha y Canela, Ritual Berries & Bubbly, Violet Sky Maple + Vanilla, and Patric The Salty Cow. 

Mentioned briefly are beers from Boon, St. Bernardus, Achel, La Trappe, Taxman, and Maredsous, as well as chocolates from Dolfin, Indulgence, Arete, and Fruition.

The quote used from Ecole Chocolate can be found in their post here. 

The music for this episode was sampled from an instrumental version of the song “Walls”, written and performed by indie folk musician Anna ps from her 2016 album Umbrella. Anna p.s. conveys a sense of weariness throughout her simple yet resonant songs, but it’s a weariness that keeps a blanket of hope tucked up under its chin, even as the rain keeps falling outside the windows. You can find out more about Anna at her website.