Episode 07: Pairing Smoke & Spice

How do you pair beer and chocolate when you’re working with challenging smoke or spice flavors? Listen to find out!

In this episode, we take beers and chocolate bars from the last few episodes—plus a few extras—and find good dance partners for them. Along the way, we discuss the difference between taste, aroma, and flavor, and the unique challenges of pairing with smoke and spice flavors. 

Beers discussed in this episode include Lock 27 Brewing Stjørdalsøl from Dayton, Ohio; Fonta Flora Brewery Såinnhus from Morganton, North Carolina; Seventh Son Brewing Fox in the Stout from Columbus, Ohio; Oxbow Brewing Saphaus and Bobasa from Newcastle, Maine; Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale from Stevens Point, Wisconsin; Warped Wing Brewing CreepShow from Dayton, Ohio; 3 Taverns Brewery Ukiyo from Decatur, Georgia; Casa Humilde Cerverceria Pilon, Mesita, & Tempestad from Chicago, Illinois.

Chocolate discussed in this episode include Ritual One Hundred Percent & Ritual Peru Marañón from Heber, Utah; The Chocolate Conspiracy Pure Dark & Raspberry from Salt Lake City, Utah; Somerville Chocolate Smoked Chocolate from Somerville, Massachusetts; Manoa Breakfast Bar & Ghost Pepper 60% from Kailua, Hawaii; Madhu Chocolate Vanilla & Fennel, Dark Masala Chai, & Rose Pistachio from Austin, Texas; 20/20 Chicha y Canela from Venezuela; Zotter For Those Who Are In Love from Cape Coral, Florida.

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.