What to Drink for Valentine's Day, Part 3: Beer

One sure sign of the maturity of the Craft Beer industry is the acceptance of these brews as great beverage choices on holidays. We started this project back at Thanksgiving, and we're continuing now with Valentine's Day. Because the snow will stop, eventually. In no particular order, we suggest you consider the following craft beers for Valentine's Day, with a special orientation toward dessert/chocolate pairings.

Weyerbacher Tango

Tango is a big, bold, Belgian-style dark ale brewed with 1,200 pounds of cherries!

Tango pours a beautiful ruby color with a nice fluffy head, offering a very complex aroma of cherries and other dark fruits. The strong 750 ml glass bottle finished with a cork and cage allows the very robust bottle-conditioning responsible for Tango’s effervescence. Dark fruit flavors join the cherries to match up with the strong malt bill with the Belgian yeast adding its 2 cents along the way.

Tango weighs in at 10.6% ABV and was brewed using a base of Pilsner Malt with Honey Malt, Special B, Aromatic Malt and a touch of Chocolate Malt. Apollo hops balance all that sweetness to 35 IBU.

Would pair with any sort of chocolate, fruit flavored and filled chocolate, desserts, and would be a great night cap. It is boozy and sweet, just like your Valentine's Day should be!!

Rogue Chocolate Stout

Ebony in color with a rich creamy head. An earthy flavor of oats and hops that gives way to a rich chocolate truffle finish. Pair with any dessert.

The recipe for Rogue Chocolate Stout was created several years ago for export to Japan. The exported twelve ounce Chocolate Bear Beer bottle label is in Kanji and features a teddy bear with a pink heart on his belly. Chocolate Stout was released for Valentine’s Day in 2001 in a twenty-two ounce bottle for the US market. The label features a Rogue original, Sebbie Buhler.

Weyerbacher Tiny

Tiny is a Belgian inspired Imperial Stout weighing in at 11.8% ABV. You’ll find big chocolate and roasted notes, balanced with the Belgian flavors from the Abbey yeast strain.

This beer is very smooth and lacks the astringency you sometimes find in these Imperial Stouts.

A good accompaniment for roasted and braised beef, caramelized, savory and also sweeter dishes. Tiny also complements chocolate, espresso and coffee flavored desserts.

Yards Love Stout

Brewery notes: "Our brewers have poured their hearts and dark, roasted malts into this rich, well-rounded stout. Luscious notes of coffee and chocolate accent the smooth, creamy mouth feel. We will not apologize for any amorous affairs resulting from the consumption of this beverage."

This is a Dry English Stout, coming in at 5.5% ABV. Significant ingredients are Roasted Barley and Chocolate malts.

Pairings: Love Stout and oysters are a match made in heaven, but this sweetheart also gets along well with rich, sweet treats, soft cheeses and winter stews.

Boulder Beer Shake Chocolate Porter

Our twist on the traditional robust American Porter, Shake Chocolate Porter is dark black in color with rich, sweet aromatics and flavors of dark chocolate, coffee and caramel. This unique brew blends five different grains, including Chocolate Wheat, that along with cacao nibs create a devilishly delicious chocolate finish with a velvety mouthfeel.

5.9% ABV. Currently available only in Lawrenceville.

Yards Chocolate Love Stout

It's Love in a Bottle. Passionately brewed with over 200 pounds of pure, 100% cacao Belgian dark chocolate, this irresistibly smooth stout explodes with the taste and aroma of rich, dark chocolate goodness. This deep black beauty will seduce you with her roasty maltiness and hints of vanilla and caramel.

6.9% ABV, this pairs with long walks on the beach (maybe not this week) candlelit dinners, big comfy beds, cabins with fireplaces, scenic overlooks...you get the picture.

Kasteel Rouge

Not exactly a domestic craft beer, but excellent for Valentine's Day. Kasteel Rouge is a unique blend of Kasteel Donker and a sweet cherry liqueur. This fruity beer makes a great aperitif on a sunny terrace. It’s certainly a beer for lovers of sweet cherries with an overpowering aroma of the fruit. The cherries get the better of the malt in the Kasteel Donker mother beer, although it contributes touches of chocolate and pepper to remind you it’s there. It is surprisingly easily digestible for quite a strong beer (8%ABV).

Currently available only in Woodbridge.


As you can see, the craft beer category offers some exceptional selections to enjoy on Valentine's Day, or any time that dessert is on the agenda. Please consult with our beer team if you need assistance finding these items, or if you're considering something else.