Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to organize a special dinner, and to surprise your sweetheart, you don’t necessarily need an expensive bottle of wine. High-quality craft beers can enhance the flavors of the most refined and romantic dishes, turning the evening into an unforgettable sensory experience!
Aphrodisiac traditional dishes and ideal beers
Some ingredients have been considered aphrodisiacs for centuries, thanks to their organoleptic properties and their impact on the senses. When paired with the right beer, some dishes can become even more intriguing and engaging. Words from our Beer Sommeliers!
Here is a complete menu with perfect beer pairings.
Elegant appetizer: oysters and beer
Oysters are one of the symbolic foods of romance at the table. Their saltiness and meaty texture find unexpected harmony with dark beers in the style of English Porter and Irish Stout, also called Dry Stout, characterized by deeply roasted notes, a slight acidity, and a good bitterness at the finish. This is the classic pairing you either love or hate, but which has been consumed daily for a couple of centuries in many parts of Great Britain: a must-try at least once in your life.
Spicy first course or main dish… with a kick!
Chili pepper, known for its stimulating properties, and generally slightly spicy spices, are a delicious idea to add zest to the evening. Whether in a good Italian pasta dish or an exotic Asian-style main dish, you can get creative with herbs and spices… and we’ll take care of the right beer pairing.
Amber Lagers, from Märzen to Vienna Lager, up to Bock and Doppelbock, bring a climax of caramel notes to the pairing, perfect to soften the chili’s sting, finding the right balance between sweet, bitter, spiciness, and body. Meanwhile, Scottish Ale, warm and robust, perfectly accompany the strong spiciness of Tabasco sauces.
Chocolate and beer? It works!
And now to dessert, obviously chocolate-based, the undisputed star of every romantic dinner, which finds its best ally in dark beers. Imperial Stout and Baltic Porter, with their intense coffee and cocoa flavors, pair beautifully with dark chocolate, creating a rich and refined contrast. Brown Ale, with hazelnut and toffee notes, are perfect with hazelnut and pistachio creams, offering a sweet and velvety finish to the evening.
Maltese’s gift ideas for Valentine’s Day
To celebrate Valentine’s Day in the best way, Maltese.beer has created two special initiatives dedicated to craft beer lovers.
Five different Valentine’s Day boxes are already available, exclusive selections curated by our beer sommeliers, perfect for those who want to taste high-quality beers in the company of their loved one. In particular, the Baciami Ancora box is designed to accompany a romantic dinner from aperitif to dessert.
From February 14 to 18, there will also be discounts dedicated to all lovers (and not only). On a purchase of 80 euros, a 10-euro discount will be applied; on 100 euros, the discount will rise to 15 euros; while on a 120-euro purchase, you can save 20 euros.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to discover new pairings and toast to love with a quality craft beer… get inspired for an unforgettable dinner.
