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Few things are more divine than chocolate and wine. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, it seems pretty imperative that we discuss how to pair up these culinary treasures. And given that we know a thing or two about beer, we’d also like to play matchmaker with beer and chocolate. Though often overlooked, these two make a great couple. 
 
Whether you’re looking for a treat to give your spouse, a friend, or yourself, you can rely on these simple pairing guidelines. 

Wine & Chocolate Pairing 

When pairing wine with chocolate, a good rule of thumb is to match lighter-flavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines and richer chocolates with fuller-bodied wines, much like you pair wine with other foods. Here’s how this concept translates: Try a zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, or merlot with dark chocolate. Opt for sweeter wines like a port, Moscato, or pinot noir with sweeter milk chocolate. White chocolate fan? Pair it with champagne or a Riesling. 

That’s wine and chocolate in a nutshell. Many would argue it’s far more nuanced. They might be right, but we’re not about overcomplicating things. As with food and wine, there are no absolutes. Personal palate profiles will always vary, so start tasting, trust your taste buds, and track what you like. In no time you'll be impressing others with your observations on this highly sophisticated topic. 

Beer & Chocolate Pairing 

While beer and chocolate don't have quite the same celebrity status as wine and chocolate, we'd argue they're an equally "made for each other" indulgent pairing. They share quite a bit in common – they are both fermented, have a delicate balance of bitter and sweet flavors, and have passionate, highly-skilled craftsmen and women continuously working to perfect new and exciting flavors. Do beer and chocolate justice by tasting your high-quality craft brews with equally high-quality artisan chocolates. 

Generally speaking, when pairing beer and chocolate, rich, malty beers shine. But, much like wine, we also recommend matching comparable strengths and flavors when enjoying the two together. For instance, try a dark stout with dark chocolate or a Belgian beer with a chocolate that has citrus notes. Summed up another way - match the color of the beer with the color of the chocolate. 

That said, much like in real life, opposites can attract. When you contrast flavors in beer and chocolate, look for tastes that sound good together, like a bitter IPA with a sweeter chocolate bar.

So there you have it - there are rules and exceptions to the rules. Have fun experimenting and be the judge of what delights your taste buds. And remember, we have 56 different beers and wines on tap. That's something to go with everything.