Victory’s “Suds” Deliciously Heralds in the Holiday Season

Victory beer and Eclat chocolatesBeer- and chocolate-lovin’ women eager to sample Éclat Chocolate pairings recently packed the Victory Brewing Company’s Downingtown Beer Hall for the popular Girls Just Wanna Have Suds ladies’ night out.

They were not disappointed.

Not a lady? No worries: there are ample events for everyone during the holidays to savor unique seasonal beers and a few old favorites. And no matter lady or gent, anyone is able to enjoy these festive gourmet chocolate and craft beer pairings on their own. So read on about the delicious pairings, then hurry to downtown West Chester to grab your share of Éclat and, last but certainly not least, swing by Victory for the perfect beer to accompany those chocolates.

Eclat Chocolates at Victory Brewing Company

Beer Truffle Paired with Hop Devil IPA

Delightful contrasts made this a sweet start from the dark chocolate shell over ganache. The Devil started with a malty caramel sip and that paired superbly with the chocolate, while the confection tamed a bit of the powerhouse beer’s hoppy nature. A win-win for all.

Pave du Tour Paired with Storm King Stout

Made in the French style with hazelnuts and milk chocolate, this was a more traditional pairing thanks to this American imperial stout’s roasty chocolate finish. Picture biting into a creamy hazelnut treat on a cold winter’s day but substituting hot chocolate for this malty brew that finishes with a hint of hops.

Ginger Caramel Truffle Paired with Old Horizontal

This daring pairing pitted tangy, freshly grated ginger in chocolate—plus a slight sea-salt crunch—with the big and boozy flavors of Old Ho’. The American barleywine boasted fruity aromas and a hint of spice that tangoed nicely with the ginger. The truffle’s caramel really brought forth sweetness at the end of each sip, too.

Star Anise Chocolate Paired with Saison du BUFF

Star Anise with Saison du Buff

Herbal notes rose to the top throughout this pairing. The Star Anise was reminiscent of sambuca or absinthe, a genius match with milk chocolate ganache enrobed in dark chocolate. Sips of earthy flavors from the saison brought parsley-sage-rosemary-thyme (really!) to the party. Compliments for this complementary pairing!

Passion Fruit Chocolate Paired with Kirsch Gose

We enjoyed a non-traditional final course thanks to Kirsch Gose’s sour side. Why? Passion fruit, though sweet, also is fleetingly tart at the end. Milk chocolate ganache and the dark chocolate shell tamed the tart and sour in both the candy and the beer making this a brilliantly balanced pairing.

Drooling? Already online scoping out upcoming events? Make sure you don’t miss a thing that’s brewing this holiday season at Victory.

Downingtown

Kennett Square

  • Dark Wednesday introducing Java Cask, a coffee stout aged in bourbon barrels—Wednesday, Nov. 25, opening 9 a.m. for breakfast
  • Brunch With Santa—Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Parkesburg

  • Dark Wednesday introducing Java Cask, a coffee stout aged in bourbon barrels—Wednesday, Nov. 25, opening 9 a.m. for breakfast
  • Brunch With Santa—Sunday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Old Favorites Briefly Return

Throughout November, enjoy happiness from hoppiness with imperial IPA Hop Wallop, first brewed in 2003. In December, you can relive the glory of dark IPA Yakima Glory, which made its debut in 2008. And in January, warm up to the toffee-caramel-amber Ten Years Alt, first released in 2006. These won’t last long, so make sure you get your share before they retire once again.

Find Victory Brewing Company at 420 Acorn Ln. in Downingtown; phone: (610) 873-0881.

  • Photos: Nina Malone