The 9th Annual Oregon Chocolate Festival graces Ashland this weekend and we are more excited than ever to be a part of this decadent event! March 1st-3rd over 40 chocolate vendors from all over Oregon are serving unique chocolate creations, and we’re joining with a chocolate-themed beer we’ve brewed just for the event!
We’re also sending a handful of our beers along with Ginger Johnson of Women Enjoying Beer for a beer and chocolate pairing demonstration, and serving our new brew at the Chocolate Maker’s Dinner Friday night. We’re getting our hands gooey with chocolaty fun, and we love it!
About the Beer
The light, orange rust color is a visual surprise in this chocolate-flavored ale. With a backbone of caramel flavor, the delicate character of the Criollo variety cacao bean is apparent in fruity notes of red berries. You’ll enjoy the silky body and nuanced flavors. 6.1% abv 15 IBU
Malt
• Briess Goldpils® Vienna
• Briess Caracrystal Wheat
• Briess Bonlander
• Briess Oat Flakes
Hops
• Bittering: Willamette
• Flavor/Aroma: Galaxy
Chocolate
• Medium Roast Criollo Cacao Nibs from Peru—Nibs sourced directly from Peruvian farms and roasted by Lillie Belle Farms in Central Point, Oregon. The Perfect Illusion chocolate bar from Lillie Belle is made with this cacao variety.
Food Pairing Suggestions
This beer pairs best with…chocolate! The finishing bitterness of the brew is similar to the finish of dark chocolate, and we suggest you try them together to pick up the similar flavors. Fruity desserts, with strawberry, raspberry or cherry, will also match the red berry finish. For lunch or dinner, we think the medium-bodied ale goes well with Mexican-style dishes with beans or mole and roasted chilis. Here are our suggestions from our menu:
- Stir Crazy Dark Chocolate Cake
- Bread Pudding
- Marionberry Cobbler
- Black Bean Nachos with Roasted Chicken
Or, this weekend’s special: Tres Tacos de Pollo, with Habanero Onions, Salsa Trio and Jalapeno Crème.
If you’re in Ashland, we encourage you to dive into the annual Oregon Chocolate Festival for the once-a-year chocolate-lover’s paradise. Be sure to stop by the many local restaurants and shops dedicating specials, sales and events to the sweet occasion. At Standing Stone, we’re serving Chocolate Ale and a Fudge Brownie dessert for the tasty affair!
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