Beer of the Month: Choco Bear Beer

By Wayne O. Cohen

Dark brown, smooth, aromatic, rich and sweet with a touch of bitterness, and imparting a deep sense of well-being when consumed... Hmmmm! Sounds like a good pint of stout. Or, for that matter, a good piece of chocolate. So why not put the two together?

That’s probably what they were thinking at the Sapporo headquarters of Ezo Beer when the idea for Choco Bear beer was being brewed up. What they came up with breaches the limits of beer decency.

First off is the shamelessly dark hue that’s all but jet black, topped by a dense, creamy tan head. The fun begins when you stick your nose down into it and get a good, deep whiff of its heady, wildly complex bouquet. What comes up are aroma notes that suggest dark caramel, toffee, dried fruit, candied fruitcake, chocolate, espresso coffee and a hint of pipe tobacco – the usual suspects in a good stout.

Thing is, the chocolate aroma isn’t just implied, it’s eerily realistic. That’s because Choco Bear goes beyond the mere suggestion of chocolate: it contains the real thing. But it remains very much a stout, as the chocolate stays persistently yet politely in the background. Put that in your pint glass and drink it.

Take a sip and notice that the complex array of aromas carry over into the actual taste, though the 5.7% alcohol becomes more apparent. Take care to let this one warm up to almost room temperature to allow the malt sweetness to emerge and balance the stiff bitterness of the hops and the soft, mellow bitterness of the chocolate. The interplay between these three elements is what makes Choco Bear one of the most distinctive beer experiences out there. Sip slowly and gently to enjoy the full complexity of its flavor.

Recently, Ezo Beer has created a second version of this beer, Choco Bear Sweet. Compared to the original – now known as Choco Bear Bitter – the Sweet has less hop bitterness, less alcohol (5.1%) and a dose of lactose (milk sugar), making it a “milk chocolate stout,” if you will.

A case of Choco Bear would make an excellent addition to your Valentine’s Day arsenal. After all, what could go better with those endless packages of sweeties that show up this time of year?

 For more information on Choco Bear beer, or to purchase for home delivery, go to www.ezo-beer.com.

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