Food & Beer Friday :: For the chocolate lover.

I promise I'm taking a step back from stouts after this (I already have my next beer waiting!), but there was no way I could resist talking about the amazingness that is this beer.  You're probably most familiar with Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, but the organic Chocolate Stout blows it out of the water.

I was sold before even tasting this beer.  The aroma is amazing; it smells like pure chocolate.  This stout is chocolatey, creamy, and absolutely delicious.  The best part?  It's only 5% alcohol!  I could drink these all night long.

Samuel Smith recommends pairing this beer with complimentary chocolates, such as white, milk, and dark.  Of course the chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse, beignets with espresso cream, and panna cotta were the perfect additions at our Valentine's Day dinner.  I did not want this beer to end, and I can not wait to get my hands on another pack of it!

CHEERS!

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Food & Beer Friday :: Additional ingredient? Licorice.

I hope you're not surprised to see another stout.  I just can't help myself.  Regardless of the 60 degree days we've been having around here, I love curling up with a stout to end my work day.  Unfortunately, these temps seem like they're going to be around for a bit (or at least the next 10 days), so maybe I'll break out a lighter porter next week?  Just don't get your hopes up...

As for Bell's Kalamazoo Stout, do you see many 6% stouts?   While it's supposed to be brewed with chocolate and coffee, those flavors didn't come through much.  In my opinion, that's a good thing for this beer!  It's nice to have a stout that isn't overly medicated with a particular flavor.  It was light(er) considering it was a stout.  Don't be scared off by the licorice!  It certainly didn't taste like that scary black licorice (or black jelly beans...bleh) that haunts me to this day.  Apparently the brewer's licorice Bell's uses is gelatin-free which makes it ok for vegetarians!  Boo yah!

Bell's has a pretty good line-up of beers; however I am preferable to their seasonal varieties (ever heard of the much anticipated HopSlam?).  I would venture to guess that one of their most well known beers is their year-round Two Hearted Ale, which is pretty delicious.  Nonetheless, if you can get your hands on this stout, give it a try!  It won't knock your socks off, but I'd say it's a pretty good choice for a stout in 50 degree weather...

CHEERS!

Food & Beer Friday :: Another stout.

Have I turned you off of or on to stouts yet?  I had a winter-themed beer in mind but wasn't able to pick it up in time to post about it.  Keep an eye out for that one.  In the meantime, here's another amazing stout for you to check out!

I've mentioned that Terrapin Wake N' Bake is my favorite stout ever.  Founder's Breakfast Stout is basically the rival to my favorite.  I would 100% recommend doing a vertical (or side-by-side) tasting of these two beers.  I didn't taste both beers tonight, so I'll make my opinions as unbiased as possible.

The Breakfast Stout is pretty much all of my favorite things brewed into one beer.  Chocolate (bitters & imported), oatmeal, and coffee (Sumatra and Kona).  This dark beauty definitely has a coffee aroma, but the flavor dominates with big, bold chocolate.  The head on this beer is fluffy and creamy.  Breakfast Stout is really a perfect combination.  The coffee flavor isn't completely overwhelming, and I find it easy to drink (but it's so delicious I sip since I want it to last forever!).

D got me Videri Peppermint Chocolate bars  (Videri is a local Raleigh chocolate shop!) in my stocking for Christmas.  I'm not a big chocolate eater, but I've been hoarding these babies (yeah, that's crushed peppermint on top/bottom).  What a perfect beer pairing...dark chocolate with a Double Chocolate, Coffee, Oatmeal Stout.  Heaven.

PS.  Interesting in linking up?  I'd love to have you! 

Food & Beer Friday :: National Stout Day.

In honor of National Stout day yesterday...

I've mentioned that stouts are my absolute favorite.  I'm beyond thrilled that stout season is {almost} officially in tow.  Since you know that one of my all time favorite beers is a milk stout, then you understand why I was immediately drawn when I spotted this at Tasty Beverage.

I picked up this tasty brew amongst three other delicious stout and winter beers I can not wait to feature!  For now, let's focus on the Southern Tier 2X Stout!  Seriously, it's a double milk stout.  I definitely enjoyed this beer.  It's malty but not as creamy at my favorite milk stout.  I tasted the hops, but they were not at all overwhelming.  There was a roasty, almost coffee flavor (it's the roasted malts giving that flavor?).  I think this beer would be amazing if it was pour via a nitro tap.  Would I buy it over my favorite?  No.  I will try it on tap if I ever spot it in the bar.

Food pairings?

Peanut butter M&M's.  And I don't think there are many other food pairings that would be better than this one.  It was absolute perfection.

CHEERS!

  <a href="http://www.skinnyjeanschailatte.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnflfc2abnNlHaIedc53w-T-LoKCrTTF9g5XYrXCRjsVAs8ZO7nqRtQNbFMnxom9kZs4f90LiuZ1mimfg24bV3qFE0Fa-nel5JtRTKUOHU9_tVCAGE86LqsKoAaVRsx-Obr2n9p3oXWIs/s180/Food-%2526-Beer-Friday-Button.jpg" border="0" /></a> Have a favorite stout?!

Food & Beer Friday :: Milky, creamy, & dreamy.

Since I'm "officially" kicking off my week(s) of birthday celebration today, I figured it was time to feature one of my favorite beers.  For as long as I can remember (since my delve into craft beers), stouts have always been my favorite.  They're a tough sell for those new to beer drinking with their dark color & rich flavors.  Left Hand Brewing nailed this one though.

Characterized as a "sweet stout," Left Hand Milk Stout is the perfect starter stout.  Milk stouts are brewed with lactose, and this one is hands down amazing (get it? Left Hand, hands down?  I'm so clever!)!  This beer is brewed with hops, malts, barley, oats, and chocolate.

It's a thick beer with a creamy caramel-colored head.  The flavor is very chocolatey and a bit nutty.  Honestly, it has a bit of a coffee flavor to it, even though I do not believe it is brewed with coffee.  Honestly, this beer is like a delicious comfort food.  While it is a thicker beer, it's so easy to drink!

When you walk into bars, you'll often find that the bar has a "nitro" tap.  It allows a legged beer to be pressurized with a partial nitrogen gas.  These taps give the beer a really creamy pour and quality (you will often find Guiness on that tap).  The Flying Saucer in Raleigh always has Milk Stout on a nitro tap, and I can never resist ordering it (not matter the time of year) when I go there.  Imagine my amazement when I learned Left Hand bottled Milk Stout Nitro. Die.  Nitro is the best way to drink this beer in my opinion. I'm salivating just thinking about it...

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In my opinion, the perfect food pairing for this milky, creamy beer is a big hamburger (black bean for me).    Think diner-style hamburger + chocolate milkshake pairing?  Yes.  Left Hand has a few different recipes of their own.  They recommend a Milk Stout barbecue sauce on short ribs.

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What I've really got my eye on are these Milk Stout cupcakes!  If I haven't convinced you with chocolate, creaminess, and cupcakes...it's a lost cause!  If you do try this beer, let me know!

CHEERS!

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