Chocolate beer: not as mad or as bad as it sounds. We've got an expert in to tell us about four of the best.
Rod Jones is the beer sommelier for the Meantime Brewing Company based in Greenwich, London, which I imagine is a pretty good job. Consequently he’s perfectly placed to tell us about the fine art of making a beer infused with chocolate.
"The secret of brewing a chocolate beer is in allowing the deep roasted malt flavours to reveal themselves alongside the intense flavour of the cacao bean. If done correctly, the result is an incredibly moreish brew,” says Rod.
“The Meantime Chocolate Porter does just this – the combination of four different roasted malts and the addition of real chocolate during maturation creates a warm, complex and balanced beer in which the mix of roast malt flavours, chocolate and vanilla is revealed in the lasting finish.”
The beers
So with Easter upon us, and the weather still wintery, a dark, warming, chocolate beer might be just the thing. “Enjoy getting your hands on one of these bottles of beer for an acquired yet refined taste of Easter. Just remember, you don’t need a sweet tooth to try this collection,” advises Rod.
Meantime Chocolate Porter, £1.79 (330ml)
“The taste is rich and intense, with dark chocolate, mocha and roast malt flavours underpinned by vanilla.”
Harviestoun Old Engine Oil, £2.19 (500ml)
“Almost black, it has bittersweet, chocolate and liquorice flavours from the roasted malts and oats from which it is brewed.”
Robinsons Old Tom with Chocolate, £2.50 (330ml)
“This indulgent, strong ale is filled with the flavour of velvety smooth chocolate teased with an inspired touch of Madagascan bourbon vanilla.”
Youngs Double Chocolate Stout, £1.99 (500ml)
“Reminiscent of Werther's chocolate toffees with hints of prune brandy, spicy pine hops and a smoky edge.”
Food paring
These beers are great on their own, but if you're looking for a food pairing, Rod advises the following "Chocolate beers would work well with dark meats such as venison – or perhaps a rib of beef. The chocolate and bitter notes in the brew means it also lends itself well to indulgent sweets such as rich fruit-cake."
Have you tried chocolate beer? What will you be celebrating Easter with? Let us know in the comments below.
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