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Chocolate
The pairing table

Best Belgian beers for chocolate

39 beers in our guide pair beautifully with chocolate (dark chocolate, tart). Expect belgian strong golden ale, quadrupel, flanders red ale and more, each chosen for how it meets the dish.

1
BELGIAN STRONG GOLDEN ALE

Cornet Oaked

Brouwerij De Hoorn · 8.5%

Complements creamy pasta dishes or vanilla-based desserts, highlighting the oak-derived vanilla flavors.

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2
QUADRUPEL

La Trappe Quadrupel

De Koningshoeven · 10%

Delicious with almond pastries or dates, as the beer's caramel and nutty notes harmonize with the dessert.

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3
FLANDERS RED ALE

Duchesse de Bourgogne

Brouwerij Verhaeghe · 6.2%

Matches beautifully with chocolate desserts or foie gras, as the balsamic sweetness complements rich foods.

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4
BELGIAN FRUIT ALE

Duchesse Chocolate Cherry

Brouwerij Verhaeghe · 6.8%

An ultimate dessert beer. Pairs exceptionally well with Black Forest cake, chocolate mousse, or vanilla ice cream.

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5
FRUIT LAMBIC

Lindemans Framboise

Brouwerij Lindemans · 2.5%

Pairs beautifully with dark chocolate cake or vanilla ice cream, acting as a raspberry sauce.

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6
FRUIT LAMBIC

Lindemans Kriek

Brouwerij Lindemans · 3.5%

Pairs with Belgian waffles or chocolate mousse, enhancing the dessert with sweet cherry notes.

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7
FRUIT LAMBIC

Timmermans Pêche

Brouwerij Timmermans · 4%

Pairs with vanilla ice cream or peach tarts for a cohesive fruit-forward dessert.

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8
TRIPEL

Tripel Karmeliet

Brouwerij Bosteels · 8.4%

Pairs elegantly with creamy brie or apricot tart, as the beer's oat-driven creaminess mirrors the food texture.

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9
TRIPEL

La Trappe Tripel

De Koningshoeven · 8%

Complements fruit-based desserts like apricot tart or savory dishes like sweet-glazed ham.

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10
TRIPEL

Tripel LeFort

Omer Vander Ghinste · 8.8%

Pairs with scallops in butter sauce, where the vanilla/banana notes enhance the natural sweetness of the shellfish.

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11
TRIPEL

Maredsous 10 Tripel

Duvel Moortgat · 10%

Ideal with caramelized roasted meat or rich crème brûlée, highlighting the caramel malt notes.

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12
QUADRUPEL

Westvleteren 12

Sint-Sixtusabdij Westvleteren · 10.2%

Best enjoyed alone as a "meditation beer" or with high-quality dark chocolate (70%+) to echo the roasted notes.

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13
TRAPPIST ALE

Rochefort 10

Abbaye Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy · 11.3%

Sublime with intense blue cheese (Roquefort) or rich chocolate fondant; the beer's power cuts through the intensity.

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14
QUADRUPEL

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale

Brouwerij St. Bernardus · 10%

Pairs with Christmas roasts, fruitcake, and dark chocolate desserts.

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15
QUADRUPEL

Val-Dieu Grand Cru

Brasserie de l'Abbaye du Val-Dieu · 10.5%

Serve with chocolate mousse or tiramisu; the coffee/roast notes in the beer amplify the dessert's flavors.

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16
QUADRUPEL

Straffe Hendrik Quad

De Halve Maan · 11%

Pairs with dark chocolate truffles or strong blue cheese, standing up to the boldest flavors.

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17
BELGIAN STRONG PALE ALE

Pauwel Kwak

Brouwerij Bosteels · 8.4%

Pairs well with hard cheeses like Comté or hearty meat pot pies due to its malty sweetness.

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18
DUBBEL

Leffe Brune

Abbaye de Leffe · 6.5%

Sweet and sour dishes or cheese toast pair well, as the caramel sweetness bridges savory and sweet flavors.

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19
QUADRUPEL

Scaldis Prestige De Charmes

Dubuisson · 13%

A cellar sipper; pairs beautifully with foie gras, blue cheese, or a fruit tart.

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20
FRUIT LAMBIC

Boon Kriek

Brouwerij Boon · 4%

Excellent with duck dishes or dark chocolate; the tart cherry flavor cuts richness perfectly.

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21
BELGIAN FRUIT BEER

Delirium Red

Brouwerij Huyghe · 8%

A dessert in itself, or pairs with cheesecake to add a sweet cherry topping profile.

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22
BELGIAN FRUIT ALE

Kasteel Rouge

Van Honsebrouck · 8%

Excellent with chocolate lava cake or blue cheese, balancing sweetness with strong flavors.

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23
SPECIAL BELGE

Palm

Brouwerij Palm · 5.2%

Perfect everyday beer for burgers or sandwiches, adding a mild caramel touch.

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24
FRUIT LAMBIC

Cantillon Rosé de Gambrinus

Brasserie Cantillon · 5%

A classic match for dark chocolate desserts or a cheese board with aged blue; the tart fruit cuts the fat beautifully.

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25
FRUIT LAMBIC

Tilquin Oude Quetsche

Gueuzerie Tilquin · 6.4%

Try with roast pork and prunes, or a slice of frangipane tart that echoes the almond note.

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26
FRUIT LAMBIC

3 Fonteinen Oude Kriek

Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen · 6%

A natural with dark chocolate desserts or duck à la cerise; the tart cherry mirrors the dish.

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27
BELGIAN DARK ALE

Kasteel Donker

Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck · 11%

A natural digestif; superb with chocolate fondant or a wedge of strong blue cheese.

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28
QUADRUPEL

Gulden Draak 9000 Quadruple

Brouwerij Van Steenberge · 10.5%

Excellent with caramelised desserts or a plate of hard, nutty cheeses such as aged Gouda.

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29
BELGIAN DARK ALE

N'Ice Chouffe

Brasserie d'Achouffe · 10%

Pairs with game, hearty stews, and dark chocolate by the fire.

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30
BELGIAN STRONG GOLDEN ALE

De Dolle Stille Nacht

Brouwerij De Dolle Brouwers · 12%

A sipping beer for cold nights: blue cheese, fruit cake, or simply on its own after dinner.

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31
TRIPEL

Triple d'Anvers

De Koninck · 8%

Matches with apple pie or roast chicken with stuffing, echoing the beer's apple and caramel notes.

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32
BELGIAN DARK ALE

Gulden Draak

Brouwerij Van Steenberge · 10.5%

Best with a rich meat stew or very strong cheddar, as the beer's sweetness balances salty/savory intensity.

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33
BELGIAN DARK ALE

Delirium Nocturnum

Huyghe · 8.5%

Excellent with beef stew or dark chocolate, which amplify the beer's mocha notes.

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34
QUADRUPEL

Scaldis Prestige De Nuits

Dubuisson · 13%

A standalone experience, but pairs magically with dark chocolate truffle or roasted game meats.

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35
OUD BRUIN

Liefmans Goudenband

Liefmans · 8%

Serve with soft blue cheese or rabbit stew; the sweet-sour profile complements both funk and savory meat.

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36
OUD BRUIN

VanderGhinste Roodbruin

Omer Vander Ghinste · 5.5%

Classic with grey shrimp croquettes, providing a tart counterpoint to the creamy filling.

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37
ABBEY ALE

Grimbergen Blonde

Alken-Maes · 6.7%

Matches well with grilled fish or mild cheddar, offering a gentle sweetness without overpowering.

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38
FRUIT LAMBIC

Cantillon Fou' Foune

Brasserie Cantillon · 5%

Stunning with a soft, creamy goat cheese or a simple apricot tart; the acidity slices through richness while the fruit echoes the dessert.

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39
BELGIAN STRONG ALE

Caracole Nostradamus

Brasserie Caracole · 9.5%

A winter beer: game, rich stews, blue cheese, or dark chocolate.

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    Belgian Beer Wisdom

    Did you know?

    Many Belgian beers refermenent in the bottle, creating natural carbonation and complex flavors.

    Why it tastes different

    The Monk's Dispatch

    One letter a month from our cellar: a beer worth seeking, a brewery worth knowing, a small lesson in the art. What is this?