Like beer? Like chocolate? York businesses team up to deliver the perfect treat!

Some may think that pairing beer and chocolate is an odd choice.

But these two York-based independent businesses have teamed up to showcase the complimentary benefits of tasting rich, luxurious chocolate with hoppy, distinctive beers.

Andy Herrington, owner of Ainsty Ales, said: “What people are looking for more and more is quality, in the ingredients that make the beer, the brewing process itself and finally the taste.

“At Ainsty Ales we’re especially proud of the taste of our beer, and during lockdown we had the opportunity to try new ideas.

“Bringing together the complex flavours of chocolate and beer was certainly an enjoyable piece of research!”

It was following a successful trial of a Valentines-themed product that Ainsty Ales and York Cocoa Works agreed to formalise their relationship with the creation of a jointly-branded product that will be available all year round, initially on the Ainsty Ales website.

The Beer & Chocolate Tasting Pack will include four 70g bars of handcrafted chocolate from York Cocoa Works, based on Castlegate, that have been individually matched with four of Ainsty Ale’s canned beers, brewed at their Acaster Malbis HQ.

These combinations bring out the intense flavour notes in both the chocolate and the beer, which are all explored in the handy tasting notes guide that is included in every box.

“This has been a fascinating project for us, learning how the deep flavours of each of the beers pair with intense flavours of our chocolates,” said Sophie Jewett of York Cocoa Works.

“I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t think of eating chocolate whilst drinking beer but this is why these partnerships are so important.

“By working with a passionate producer, like Andy and Ainsty Ales, we can educate our audiences on the fabulous food and drink on offer around us.”

The Ainsty Ales York Cocoa Work Collaborative Beer & Chocolate Tasting Box is priced at £30 and available online at www.ainstyales.co.uk with local pick up, delivery and UK-wide shipping on offer.