Beer & Chocolate – A sweet pair
My first experience pairing chocolate and beer was at a fundraiser beer pairing event in Portsmouth, NH. The Passport Beer dinner featured local restaurants and NH breweries in pairings of food items and one of their beers. I walked the grounds of the historic Strawberry Banke living history museum and tasted some amazing food. Smuttynose brewing company’s featured pairing was their Baltic Porter (a heavy, rich beautiful beer) and some Lindt Chili Dark Chocolate. I was caught on camera saying, “Beer… and chocolate… is amazing. This just made my day.” Something about the way the beer played with the creaminess, and the hot chilis cut the intense richness of the beer was divine – it was truly inspired.
Since then, the opportunities that I’ve had to sample great beer and great chocolate have been limited – but I was lucky enough to hear about an event atNovare Res – my favorite Belgian beer bar in Portland, ME. For Valentine’s day weekend, they paired up with a local chocolatier – Sweet Marguerites – to create custom beer and chocolate pairings. I was lucky enough to sample several of these.
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3 Comments until now
This article made me want chocolate and beer. You’re right; it’s a match made in heaven. That baltic porter/chili dark chocolate combo sounds intense. Ever tried a good milk stout with milk chocolate?
I love beer & chocolate! I wrote my spin on the topic prior to Valentine’s Day:
http://tinyurl.com/beer-and-chocolate
Nestled in a quirky college town and home to Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, is known for its booming music scene, the largest year-round farmers market in the state and its offering a unique blend of 20 bars. A culmination of all three of those things—two music venues, a diverse local food menu and the town’s only microbrewery can be found at Irish-themed Jackie O’s Public House and Brewery.
Jackie O’s has recently expanded its services by opening an additional venue, which neighbors the existing microbrewery. The new space has allowed the former brewpub to increase its room for three more beer fermenters, while the larger kitchen in the new side has attributed to the restaurant’s expanding menu.
What really sets Jackie O’s apart from other microbreweries and restaurants, though, is owner Art Oestrike’s incorporation of a local mantra. In a town that is home to one of the highest poverty rates in the state, Oestrike is committed to supporting area businesses and the local economy. This local vision has been applied to all aspects of Oestrike’s operation, as he is dedicated to trying to get all supplies—be it food, furniture or fermenters—within a 100-mile radius of Athens. Patrons and townspeople alike have welcomed and celebrated this mantra, and bloggers and writers alike have embraced it, too.
We’d like to extend an invitation for you to visit Jackie O’s. Open noon Sunday through Saturday night, you’re always welcome. And if you’d prefer a private beer tasting, just call Jackie O’s at 740-592-9686.
Thanks,
Your friends at Jackie O’s Public House and Brewery
http://www.jackieos.com
Twitter: JackieOspubbrew
Facebook: Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery
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