chocolate beer and more in Hershey, PA

Everyone seemed to be fascinated with the warm chocolate shooters I mentioned in the previous post. So in this post, I thought I would share some of the amazing chocolate beer and other delicious libations I had while touring Hershey, Pennsylvania.

chocolate-beers

Our first stop was to Tröeg’s Independent Brewing Company in the heart of Hershey. Tröeg’s makes some really incredible beers, including several that feature chocolate notes. The Nitro Chocolate Stout features chocolate malt, cocoa nibs, and real dark chocolate. The Double Bock Tröegenator features chocolate malt and is a beautiful bronze colour. And the dark and delicious Bourbon Barrel-aged Tröegenator is the creme-de-la-creme of chocolate beer. With its infusion of whisky notes it’s probably my new favourite beer!

pennsylvania-beer

aging chocolate beer in whisky barrels creates an incredible dark beer with a punch!

The Bourbon Barrel-aged beer carries forward all the goodness of the Tröegenator, but is taken to a new level by being aged in bourbon barrels. This Double Bock beer is heavy on the malt and low on the hops, so never bitter. But beware! It packs a serious punch at 10.8% alcohol! But I have to say that I loved Tröeg’s beer so much I bought the specially shaped beer glasses to remind me of this most memorable tasting journey.

chocolate-beer

Troeg’s Independent Brewing ages its Bourbon Barrel-aged Troegenator double bock beer in whisky-soaked oak barrels.

Another really tasty diversion I had while in Hershey was a visit to The Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey. It’s all on one beautiful location in Middletown, Pennsylvania, just a few miles out of Hershey. They offer a selection of craft beer, ciders, a series of estate wines, and the Cocoa di Vezzetti port-style wine made with roasted cocoa nibs.

I especially enjoyed the Frostbite Ice Wine made of Vidal grapes and meeting Vice President of Sales and Marketing, ‘Merlot Mike.’ Mike and his creative team have merged beer brewing and wine making with a fabulous entertainment venue that keeps the place hopping year round. “We wanted to create an environment where clients can establish and enjoy a relationship with our brand,” explains Mike, who says that the Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey uses social media and crowdsourcing to personalize its brand.

Hershey-wine

Merlot Mike is a visionary entrepreneur, who with the help of his business partners, has created an amazing venue at the Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey for all kinds of music and social events.

Now in its fifth year of operation, the Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey is unique in that it makes wine and beer at the same facility and has worked very hard to create fine wines that are less sweet than many others offered at the 200+ wineries in the state of Pennsylvania.

Many thanks to Rick Dunlap of the Hershey/Harrisburg Visitors Bureau for guiding me through this delectable region for foodies with much more than milk chocolate on the menu. 🙂

Doreen Pendgracs

Known throughout the Web as the "Wizard of Words", I've been a freelance writer since 1993. I researched and wrote Volume I of Chocolatour that won a Readers' favourite Award in 2014. Always enjoy experiencing new destinations and flavours.

52 Responses

  1. Thanks for sharing this helpful article about chocolate beer. I really enjoyed reading it. Please keep Posting.

  2. Thanks for sharing about chocolate beer. I mostly like to drink Chocolate beer from local brewer in Haltom city TX.

  3. Jeri says:

    I’ve tried a couple of chocolate beers in passing when out with friends who like to visit local breweries. I remember liking them, but I’m not enough of a beer drinker to be able to state what most appealed to me about them.

  4. Wow, chocolate beer! Who knew such a thing existed? I’m not a fan of beer, but when in Hershey, one really has to try everything chocolate, right? I’m in!

  5. Such a sweet post! 🙂 Chocolate beer — that’s for the hubby. He would LOVE it. Me — Frostbite Ice Wine. It looks like there’s more to Hershey than I ever thought.

  6. So cool! My best friend is in Hershey tonight for a concert. I’m gonna tell her to stop by tomorrow as she loves wine and chocolate!!
    melody pittman recently posted…149 Things To Do At Walt Disney WorldMy Profile

  7. Ken Dowell says:

    I was in Hershey a few years ago, but I’m afraid I preceded the chocolate beer. Not sure what I think of that but have enjoyed other bourbon barrel beers. I do remember the chocolate soap and shampoo in the hotel room.

  8. Even the addition of chocolate couldn’t make me like beer, I don’t think, but I’d be willing to try! I recently discovered chocolate-flavored Bailey’s Irish Cream, and that’s definitely my new favorite! Your posts make me want to visit Hershey next time I’m near there!
    Rachel Heller recently posted…Macabre sightseeing in Brno: 3 places to visitMy Profile

  9. Jo Castro says:

    Chocolate beer and a town called Hershey – I didn’t know about either until I read this post. Love how much I can learn from you Doreen about chocolate. Thank you 🙂

  10. Sue Reddel says:

    Boy this Hershey area just keeps surprising me more and more. Chocolate beer? Haven’t tried that one yet. Great story Doreen!
    Sue Reddel recently posted…Taste of the Old West in Cody WyomingMy Profile

  11. I’d like to try that chocolate stout! Actually, all the beers sound fantastic.

  12. Back in the day when we used to visit Hershey in my home state of Pennsylvania, it was all about the chocolate factory and the amusement park. At my current age, a return visit might well be all about the beer, bourbon and the wine—-and the chocolate, of course.

  13. I’m a wine drinker myself but I do occasionally enjoy a good dark beer and the addition of chocolate is fascinating. I’d love to give it a try sometime! I was thinking about you recently because I discovered a chocolate maker in southern Eugene and had my heart set on visiting them (see your influence!) but then my trip had to be cancelled due to fires in the area. Hopefully, I’ll make it later this fall.
    Marquita Herald recently posted…Have You Ever Considered All The Things You Take For Granted Every Day?My Profile

  14. I do like stout beer, Doreen.
    Tee hee, in Wales my sister and I stuck with our favorite: red wine.
    RoseMary Griffith recently posted…Road tripping to the American west when you live in the eastMy Profile

  15. I’m not sure I can do chocolate beer. I’ve been persuaded to do chocolate wine as a dessert. But put chocolate in my coffee and I’ll pull a scary face! That said, I’m sure up for the rest of the visit to Hershey–just for the experience.
    RoseMary Griffith recently posted…Road tripping to the American west when you live in the eastMy Profile

  16. Marcelle says:

    I love sweet and so I’m in for the Frostbite Ice Wine! What a good name anyway 😀
    Marcelle recently posted…Praslin, Seychellen – ReiseführerMy Profile

  17. Who knew there was chocolate beer? If never ceases to amaze me that chocolate can be consumed in so many different ways.

  18. Meagan says:

    Between the beer and the chocolate, seems like Luke and I would both have things to please our tastebuds 🙂 We’ll have to add Hershey to our domestic list!! Thank you for sharing!

  19. Chocolate beer – that sounds like my sort of thing! I’d love to try it…
    Karen Warren recently posted…Exploring the Gold Rush Era in Arrowtown, New ZealandMy Profile

  20. I never thought that chocolates could have so much to tell about their past and present.

    After reading your posts, got to know the history of Hershey and now this amazing thing called Chocolate Beer !! Seriously, I don’t drink much alcohol. Still, I would love to take a sip of this chocolate beer someday 🙂
    Moumita De Sarkar recently posted…Marital rape : why is there no sense in framing laws to prevent it ?My Profile

    • Hi Moumita. Yes, there is much to learn about the world of chocolate and cacao. That is why I’ve been writing about it for the past 8 years! Generally, the chocolate beers are stouts and porters, and these tend to have a rather intense taste. So they may not be the right thing for you. Thanks for joining the conversation and being a reader of this blog. 🙂
      Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…a visit to The Hershey Story chocolate museumMy Profile

  21. Phoenicia says:

    I am trying to imagine what chocolate beer tastes like – perhaps like a malt drink? I am sure it is a hit with those who have a sweet toothe. I look forward to trying this one day – then I will give you the thumbs up or thumbs down.
    Phoenicia recently posted…Do “it” with boldness!My Profile

  22. That Bourbon Barrel-aged Tröegenator sounds worth trying. I’ve only tried chocolate beer once – a chocolate stout my brother-in-law shared with me. It was quite good, although I don’t remember now what brand it was.
    Donna Janke recently posted…Journey Through Western Canadian History at Heritage ParkMy Profile

  23. I had no idea chocolate was so versatile. Very creative to age the beer in whiskey barrels. That had to be a divine tasting! Thanks for sharing your visit to Hershey/Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I enjoy the photography, too.

  24. Chocolate beer? Drop the mic! I gotta get me to Hershey, quick!
    Charles McCool recently posted…Modern Map Art For a Cool Travel GiftMy Profile

  25. Linda says:

    It all sounds yummy to me… wondering if I could find it in a Manitoba liquor store but I think I already know the answer….lol

  26. Ivan says:

    Doreen, the beer, and wine look just amazing! I wish I could try it right now! 🙂
    Ivan recently posted…Penang Travel GuideMy Profile

  27. Catarina says:

    Doreen, I learn so much about chocolate from you. I woulld never have even imagined that chocolate beer existed or chocolate wine for that matter. But now I know.
    Catarina recently posted…Is evil a fashionable and convenient label?My Profile

  28. Now that is a beer and wine I’ve got try. Thanks for sharing.
    Susan Cooper recently posted…Watermelon, Feta Cheese, Herb Salad: #RecipeMy Profile

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