From Galentine’s to Valentine’s, this is a great time of year to show love to all of your favorite people no matter your relationship status. Cville likes to pull out all of the stops with fun and cute ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but there is only one of me so I sadly couldn’t enjoy them all. However I did get to partake in the Beer & Chocolate Pairing at Starr Hill and it was adorable (did you know beer could be adorable?). Come and be my Valentine while I share the experience with you!

Valentine’s Beer & Chocolate Pairing at Starr Hill

Full disclosure - I’m a huge fan of the Starr Hill located at Dairy Market. Not only is the beer great (they have a fantastic selection of sours and stouts, which are my favorites), but the people are lovely and it’s a relaxing place to spend an afternoon or evening. They also often have live music several nights a week and fun trivia on Wednesday nights. However, as much as I love Starr Hill, I did not expect them to have something for Valentine’s on the menu. I’ll admit it - I stereotyped beer as nonromantic but I was proven wrong with this pairing.

Using Gearharts Chocolate for the pairing, this tasting offered up five different beers (essentially a flight) and five different chocolates. In the name of research I fully committed and tried all five pairings and I was a fan. My favorite wasn’t a surprise (Hazlenut Little Red Roostarr Stout with Almond Mocha) but I was taken aback by how much I liked the Snow Blind Doppelbock with the Vanilla Bean Brulée because I typically don’t gravitate towards either of those. I guess that just goes to show how good both the beer and the chocolate really are.

This special is running through Valentine’s Day and is $28/tasting. You could make an event of it by having dinner at one of the many spots in the Dairy Market (try some soul food at Angelic’s Kitchen or a burger at Citizen Burger Stand) followed by this as your dessert!

What About After Valentine’s Day?

If you don’t make it to Starr Hill in time to try this pairing you could do a DIY variation at home. While they might not have all of the options in stock, Starr Hill usually has Little Red Roostarr available for a crowler fill. You can stop by Gearharts to pick up a box of chocolate there or - if you wanted to get a group together - you could even hold an event doing a beer tasting (or wine if you prefer). Find out more about events Gearharts offers on their website. I also recommend Gearharts as a good stop for gifts. I cannot tell you the number of people from out of town who now request their chocolate when we meet up. It changes lives.

I recommend stopping by either of these great places year round - they aren’t just for Valentine’s Day. Cheers and happy eating (and drinking)!

Starr Hill Location: 946 Grady Ave Suite 101
Style: Porters, Lagers, Sours, Ales, Hop-Forward - you name it, they have it when it comes to beer
Insight: This is a great spot for a chill afternoon or evening
Pictured: Major Award Spiced Ale, Little Red Roostarr Stout, Hazlenut Roostarr Stout, Blackthorn Irish Export Stout, Snow Blind Doppelbock

Gearharts Location: 243 Ridge McIntire Rd
Style: Rich chocolate using fine ingredients
Insight: This is the best chocolate and a fun stop for visitors looking to take a piece of Cville home (if it makes it that far)
Pictured: Kauai, Malted Milk Hazlenut, Almond Mocha, Brown Butter Caramel, Vanilla Bean Brulée