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Bottle/Tap: Bottle

Somebody told me recently that if there are two things that don’t go together they are chocolate and beer. I turned and said in response, “If done right, it usually tastes great. . .if done right.”

Which brings me to Rogue’s Chocolate Stout, commonly found in a 22-ounce bottle, or a pint plus six to some of us. This is a little different than the Sam’s Chocolate Bock, and I usually enjoy a pint of Rogue when the chance arises.

For starters, this pours jet black in a glass and smells smoky. The Bock is also dark but doesn’t have the same aroma as the Rogue. I made sure to chill this beer; I don’t like it if it is too cold or even too warm. If I wanted to drink warm chocolate, I’d jump for Swiss Miss.

Right off, you’ll notice that the Rogue tastes bitter, not overly bitter; the cocoa that they use gives it that quick bite in the beginning. While the beer warmed and I progressed through my tasting, it got much smoother and some of the chocolate came through more clearly. You still had that smoky flavor, but the bitterness seemed to fade making this a much better experience.

If you have a chance to mix this beer with others, I completely recommend fruit flavored beers: blueberry, cherry wheat, raspberry, or apricot. Try any of these blends for the sheer fact that it tastes like all the respective fruits have been covered in chocolate.

I imagine that bacon covered in chocolate would be wonderful. You know, I may have to give that a try one of these days. By itself or blended, you can’t go wrong with a Rogue Chocolate Stout.