Saturday, January 5, 2008

chocolate! beer! chocolate beer!

I introduced my best friend/sister from another mister Nicole to beer. She was strictly an amaretto sour, fruity wine, girly drink type of girl, claiming she didn't like beer...and then I bought her a pint of Guinness. I was a little nervous about it, because Guinness usually isn't a starter beer, it's something non-Irish types usually need to work up to...but I figured that Nicole was a serious chick, she could handle it. I mean, come on, this is someone who interned at a morgue and makes her own chainmail.

I warned her - "It's a little bitter and kind of heavy."

She nodded and drank the whole thing before passing judgment with one of her megawatt smiles. "It's good,"she said. "Different...but good."

Since that time, Nicole and I have tested all sorts of beer. She prefers dark beers and especially likes beers with flavors in them, such as spices, fruits, and of course, chocolate.

Young's Double Chocolate Stout has filled the need for a chocolaty beer...until now. Around Christmastime, Nicole found the chocolate flavored beer - Tommyknocker Cocoa Porter from a brewery in Idaho Springs, Colorado. Brewed with cocoa powder and honey, this dark beer has malty/milky flavors reminiscent of a mug of bittersweet hot cocoa. It's a perfect beer for those looking for something a little different and a lot chocolaty.

12 comments:

LBJ said...

It's not a chocolate beer but does have chocolate undertones. Old Leghumper Porter from Thirsty Dog Brewry down in CAK. The one with the black lab on the label looking at all the female legs on bar stools. VERY good beer. Heinens carries it. (there's one over by CGF airport, and one in Mentor)

Off to land of bratwurst, garlic roasted potatoes and a Blue Moon Belgium Pale Ale.

Lydia said...

I'd like to highlight that the land of this great brew, is my home. Of which, it's beautiful out here, mid 50's blue skies, and mountains everywhere.

Christina RN LMT said...

You know that "bitter beer" face they used in those commercials?
That's me any time I even get a taste of beer.
And I grew up in Germany, being offered beer from the age of about 14-15.
Ugh. No matter which kind of beer it was, I always hated it.
The strange thing is, that goes for pretty much all other types of alcohol, too.
I guess I'm a pretty boring person!
I love to partay as long as no alcohol (for me) is involved.

Christina RN LMT said...

CHOCOLATE, however, is a whole 'nother story...

Carteach said...

Just a touch of chocolate in my coffee..

Or hell, I'll eat chocolate anytime for any reason really. Just to prove once again that life is worth living.

breda said...

lin - Really? I never noticed chocolate in Ol'Leghumper. (that name! Ha!) I may need to taste it again.

LYDIA!!! You made it!! Photos please!!

christina & carteach0 - yep. I love chocolate too. The darker, the better.

Anonymous said...

Lydia, are you sure your in the same area? I'm 45 minutes away and just got 2' of snow with more on the way. WooHoo! Powder Day!

Brass

Lydia said...

Brass, I'm in Colorado Springs, we got snow this morning. Breda, I actually don't have pics of the trip, as it was all flat, and very boring. But I will have picks of my lovely home soon.

Rustmeister said...

If you run across it, check our Rogue's Chocolate Stout.

It comes out in February, and is pretty chocolate-y.

Anonymous said...

I only like Young's if it's draught. The bottled stuff never has had that intense, chocolate undertone.

Having said that, I'm going to be looking for Tommyknocker since I know the local liquor store carries their brand.

I've feared trying to make a chocolate stout as I hear working with cocoa can be a nightmare.

BobG said...

I prefer the taste of hops, myself. I remember a guy I knew back in college who would probably like it though; he used to eat chocolate covered cherries while drinking beer, and liked to eat Crackerjacks© when drinking red wines...

Anonymous said...

Bob, then you definitely want some Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. It's basically liquid hops with some beer thrown in for carbonation.

Good stuff.