Here’s the scenario. A bunch of friends over. Loads of stinking blue cheese, piles of chocolate and chocolate cake. We try all the usual sweet suspects with these foods. But what are the stars of the night? One surprise for the traditionalists was how well a bold, robust shiraz can go with chocolate.
The bombshell was that stout was an even better match.
We’re not talking Guinness here. No, it’s far too rich and creamy and should really be enjoyed alone or with oysters (don’t even think of ruining it with champagne!)
And so it is for the second time in as many weeks that we are pairing a Chimay stout with food.
In honour on Wine Blogger Wednesday No.13 Like Wine for Chocolate from Chocolate & Zucchini we are matching Chimay stout with a chocolate & zucchini cake.
Okay, we know Chimay isn’t strictly a wine. But with 9 per cent alcohol it’s getting there. It’s certainly not the kind of beer we’d quaff all night but it is lighter than it looks. It tastes of treacle. with nutty, malty yeasty, and hoppy undertones. Swill it around and enjoy.
And the bonus is that monks make it. Drunkenness is next to godliness.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Yum! Thanks for the reminder. I would totally put Belgian beer on a level with wine as far as food enhancement goes-right on.
All those Belgium beers are pretty good. Have you tried Belgium beer with cheese or just plain chocolate?
I read your comment. Thank you for understanding. Whiskey is my second choice with chocolate. Rum is third. If you like cognac, try it with chocolate cake. The good thing is, that cognac is good at room temperature, so it is more welcoming by chocolate, than other drinks. Unfortunately, I do not like cognac. I do not really like chocolate cakes or chocolate ice-cream, but I like dark chocolate a lot, not that silky, smooth, sticky, melting like a butter, but rough, hard and withstanding human mouth temperature. My favorite is from Finland. If you will be in a mood, try for desert ice-cream sprinkled with any of mentioned above spirits. Gin is O.K. if you like mint flavor.
As about your choice of pairing beer and chocolate, it is better for me, than with any traditional wine. Maybe next time you will make a small open sandwich (no bread, of course!) cheddar with habanero and chocolate, really good. Of course, everything I wrote is my own opinion based on my taste.
P.S. By the way, I had my cake with strong tea: Tylors of Harrogate South African KWAZULU – very
good!