Beer. Chocolate. Mmmm.
Two of life’s finer pleasures — indulgences many of us choose to enjoy on a regular basis… in moderation, of course.
But what about together? That’s right, I’m talking about chocolate beers — special beers brewed with chocolate as an ingredient in some form, whether it is milk chocolate, dark chocolate, cacao beans or nibs, cocoa powder, or even chocolate fudge. Sometimes brewers might even use more than one of these ingredients — and the results can be spectacularly delicious.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day let’s explore chocolate beers in all their glory. Here is an assortment of tasty treats made by brewers on the BC Ale Trail. There is even a recipe for chocolate cake brewed with beer.
I Don’t Know Half Of You Half As Well As I Should Like: And I Like Half Of You Half As Well As You Deserve by Backcountry Brewing (12% ABV | 40 IBU)
The latest in a series of Lord of the Rings-themed beers. “For all of our admirable and excellent friends we offer you a barrel aged stout, conditioned on chocolate and made with the finest barley in the South Farling. If you manage to come upon a half or even a full pint you will surely have a night to remember. We bid you all a very fond farewell and of course. Cheers.”
Backcountry Brewing can be found on the Squamish Ale Trail.
Layer Cake Chocolate Cherry Stout by Backroads Brewing (5.3% ABV | 15 IBU)
Cherries and chocolate are added to this classic style to create a rich, light stout bursting with notes of cherries and chocolate. And bonus, Gina’s Gelato turned this into a stout gelato for an extra special Valentines treat.
Backroads Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail.
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Porter by Bad Tattoo Brewing (6% ABV | 18 IBU)
This big, bold porter is infused with delicious, melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter and chocolate flavours.
Bad Tattoo Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail.
Cabin Fever Dessert Stout by Barkerville Brewing (5.5% ABV)
This dessert stout evokes memories of a freshly baked gingerbread house. It combines many classic cookie flavours like cacao, vanilla, molasses and ginger with dark roasted malts and a touch of lactose for a rich, full-bodied finish.
Barkerville Brewing can be found on the Northeast BC Ale Trail.
Otis by BNA Brewing (5.4% ABV | 28 IBU)
Otis is an oatmeal breakfast stout aged on American oak, bourbon, Peruvian coffee beans, and cocoa nibs — you know, all the breakfast things.
BNA Brewing can be found on the Kelowna & West Kelowna Ale Trail.
Depravity by Container Brewing (5.35% ABV)
Indulge in this rich and creamy collaboration of chocolate and nitrogen infused dark beer. Featuring delicate notes of caramel and vanilla with hints of dried fruit.
Container Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.
Sexy Beast Chocolate Raspberry Porter by CrossRoads Brewing & Distilling (6 % ABV | 15 IBU)
CrossRoads’ latest small-batch release has a robust, dark and roasted malt profile with notes of coffee and chocolate, and conditioned on raspberry purée for a familiar melody of chocolatey fruity decadence.
CrossRoads Brewing & Distilling can be found on the Northwest BC Ale Trail.
When It Rains It Porters by East Vancouver Brewing (5% ABV | 32 IBU)
Jet black in colour but not in taste, this American porter is a bittersweet balance of cocoa aromas and coffee notes.
East Vancouver Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.
904 Imperial Cookie Stout by Faculty Brewing (9.5% ABV | 25 IBU)
The dessert-style Imperial Cookie Stout is bursting with flavours of silky roasted chocolate, smoky Madagascar vanilla, and undertones of dark fruits from an expressive San Francisco strain of ale yeast. The Dominican cacao was sourced and roasted from East Van Roasters and contributes notes of mango, honey, and red grapes.
Faculty Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Brewery Creek Ale Trail.
Udderly Delicious Chocolate Hazelnut Ale by Farm Country Brewing (6% ABV | 45 IBU)
This decadent ale has a sweet roasty nose that is balanced perfectly with chocolate notes. With a silky round mouthfeel and residual sweetness from added lactose this beer is perfect for those with a sweet tooth!
Farm Country Brewing can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.
Black Mammoth Winter Ale by Fernie Brewing (8% ABV | 25 IBU)
Rich, strong and decadent, this black ale is complemented by additions of chocolate malt, plus dark organic cocoa and curaçao orange peel. Aged on oak for added smoothness and complexity, this big and boozy brew brings forth rich notes of orange and cocoa, pairing perfectly with dark skies and fresh falling snow.
Fernie Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail.
A Special Valentine’s Treat from Herald Street Brew Works
Pure Lovin’ Chocolates created some sweet Valentine’s Day treats using HSBW’s Spy with My Lil’ Chai Porter. These Dark Chocolate Chai Porter Caramel cups are available at the brewery and pair perfectly with their Wispy Business Dry Stout. Grab a 4-pack of Wispy Business and a box of caramel cups for $30.
Herald Street Brew Works can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.
Robust Porter with Habanero Fudge by Howe Sound Brewing (6.5% ABV)
A Robust Porter with cocoa and habanero peppers to enhance the natural chocolate notes and offset it with a lingering spiciness, then conditioned on Ghanaian cacao nibs from Ethereal Confections.
Howe Sound Brewing can be found on the Squamish Ale Trail.
Megatherium’s Rage Imperial Slow Rye Stout by Jackknife Brewing (9.5% ABV | 10 IBU)
Named after the giant barbarian sloths of old, this beast boasts deep rich red berry character that slowly meanders into layers of chocolate and dulcet tones of dulce de leche. Brewed and aged for ages. Like everything at Jackknife, it’s only found in their tasting room!
Jackknife Brewing can be found on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.
Under The Weather Double Chocolate Milk Stout by Kettle River Brewing (6% ABV | 22 IBU)
Whispers of dark chocolate, freshly roasted coffee and sweet cream make this a decadent treat. It is also a fine candidate for an ice cream float, should you feel so inclined to treat yourself.
Kettle River Brewing can be found on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.
Cake Chocolate Raspberry Stout by Longwood Brewery (5% ABV | 26 IBU)
No fork needed for this sweet stout, which is layered with dark chocolate notes followed by tart raspberry and a long smooth finish. Not just good for breakfast, but also enjoyed as a dessert or a late night snack.
Longwood Brewery can be found on the Vancouver Island Part 1 Ale Trail.
Chocolate Stout by Moody Ales & Co. (5.7% ABV | 30 IBU)
A decadent stout with notes of coffee, cocoa and warm oatmeal cookies.
Moody Ales & Co. can be found on the Port Moody Ale Trail.
Hibernaculum Chocolate Raspberry Pastry Stout by Nelson Brewing (6.5% ABV | 30 IBU)
Hibernaculum translates as “winter quarter” in Latin. This rich and velvety pastry stout was brewed on bittersweet organic cacao, and 800 lbs of raspberry puree was added to accentuate the decadence.
Nelson Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail.
PB&C Stout by The Office Brewery (6.1% ABV | 25 IBU)
This limited winter release is a classic full-bodied stout with velvet textures — layers of creamy peanut butter cups and aromas of toasted malts and dark cocoa nibs hidden within. It is served on the nitro tap at the brewery for added creamy goodness
The Office Brewery can be found on the Kelowna & West Kelowna Ale Trail.
Big Chonk Peanut Butter Brownie Porter by Off the Rail Brewing (5.3 ABV | 20 IBU)
A hearty pastry porter allows you to skip the process of baking chocolate peanut butter brownies. Just pop open a can instead!
Off the Rail Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.
Afternoon Vanilla Porter by Over Time Beer Works (6.1% ABV | 25 IBU)
This porter is dark and rich while not being too sweet, featuring a dry, dark chocolate mouthfeel with real vanilla beans to add a flavourful, dessert-like finish. It is available at select restaurants and pubs in the East Kootenays as well as at the brewery taproom.
Over Time Beer Works can be found on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail.
Atomic Hearts Cinnamon Chili Bourbon Stout by Parallel 49 Brewing (4.8% ABV)
This cinnamon-whiskey inspired dry stout was made with bourbon-infused cinnamon and guajillo chili. Aromas of cinnamon and chili, and bourbon flavours of vanilla, marshmallow, toast and smoke blend with coffee and chocolate roast notes of stout. Light heat (spiciness) from guajillo chilli in the aftertaste makes you want to have another sip.
Parallel 49 Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.
Longboat Chocolate Porter by Phillips Brewing (5.2% ABV)
Longboat pours a beautiful dark brown and oozes bold chocolate flavour. Its rich velvet texture smoothes the senses.
Phillips Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.
Fresh Tracks Mocha Chocolate Stout by Red Truck Beer Co. (4.7% ABV)
This lightly carbonated stout is packed with flavour. Fresh, locally roasted coffee and rich yet subtle chocolate round out the mild roasted malt notes.
Red Truck Beer Co. can be found on the Vancouver – Brewery Creek Ale Trail.
Sweet Talk Chocolate Porter by Settlement Brewing (5.5% ABV)
Sugar, spice and all things nice: what this porter (and dreams) are made of. Sweet Talk is a love letter of indulgent and decadent chocolate and vanilla. Delightfully bittersweet, just like you!
Settlement Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.
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Silver Valley Brewing can be found on the Maple Ridge Ale Trail.
Salted Chocolate Porter by Steamworks Brewery (6% ABV | 16 IBU)
Pouring the same colour as a rich, dark chocolate this decadent spin on a porter leverages the natural roasted flavours from a variety of specialty malts. After fermentation, the beer takes a trip down the culinary road with generous additions of vanilla and local sea salt.
Steamworks Brewery can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.
Day Shift Mocha Brown Ale by Tinhouse Brewing (5% ABV | 10 IBU)
Brewed in collaboration with @ghostroasted coffee, this “breakfast in a glass” features a late addition of cold brewed Brazilian, full-bloom, tree-dried natural coffee along with cacao nibs and lactose.
Tinhouse Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.
Cookie Jar Oatmeal Fudge Stout with Sea Salt by Twin Sails Brewing (6% ABV | 30 IBU)
Brewed with a large addition of flaked and malted oats, Cookie Jar is a rich, chewy oatmeal stout brewed with a variety of specialty malts and conditioned on cocoa nibs and vanilla, then finished with a touch of sea salt.
Twin Sails Brewing can be found on the Port Moody Ale Trail.
Lover’s Rock Chocolate Raspberry Porter by Ursa Minor Brewing (6.5% ABV | 28 IBU)
The aroma and first sip are all raspberries followed by sweet, smooth dark malt flavour, and finishing with a bitter chocolate note.
Ursa Minor Brewing can be found on the Northwest BC Ale Trail.
Angel Delight White Chocolate and Strawberry Ale by Welton Brewery (4.6% ABV | 15 IBU)
This perfect dessert beer is on tap at the Welton Arms Pub in Kelowna.
The Welton Arms can be found on the Kelowna & West Kelowna Ale Trail.
Two Chocolate Beers from Wolf Brewing:
- Dark Malt Porter (6% ABV | 34 IBU) Rich, creamy and decadent with a subtle dry finish with notes of chocolate and espresso.
- Black Raspberry and Chocolate Dark Ale Custom created by the brewmaster for Wolf’s nitro tap just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Wolf Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part 1 Ale Trail.
And as a final bonus here is a recipe for chocolate cake made with beer from Strange Fellows Brewing in Vancouver:
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