12 Special Beers Worth Sharing on Valentine’s Day
Because you can’t catch a buzz off a Build-a-Bear.
Nothing says “I love you” like a box of chocolate, a bottle of wine, and a dozen roses—except that’s how soooo many other people say it. It’s 2020, and the rules of attraction have changed. Surprise your significant other with a gift as special as him or her: a really, really good beer. With more than 7,000 craft breweries open in American right now, it’s easy to find a unique Valentine’s Day gift. Pick up a bottle (or three). Share between the two of you. Bonus: These beers taste great even if you enjoy them alone!
Count on New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, CO, to experiment with beer. The brewery ages more beer on wood than any other in the country, and has become adept at producing sours. La Folie pours a rich mahogany, with a fruity, sour note you usually only taste in wines. It’s best enjoyed in a hot tub beneath the stars, if you can work that into your plans.
Allagash Brewing Company White
This classic is perfect for the outdoorsy couple that’d rather spend time beside a campfire than a fireplace. It’s a Belgian wheat beer with spices and orange peel. Think Blue Moon, but with a sultry side.
Love coffee? Chocolate? You’ll taste notes of both in this dark, complex beer. It’s a little boozy at 8.3 percent alcohol by volume, but not sleep-inducing. Pair a glass with some fresh strawberries for a simple dessert.
Dogfish Head Brewery 60-Minute IPA
Maybe you’re going for an ironic Valentine’s Day evening, with Marvin Gaye on the Bluetooth speaker and oysters on the dinner table. Smooth and light, this classic India Pale Ale is the drink of choice to accentuate the briny flavors of those oysters. Heck, it even makes Marvin sound better.
Avery Brewing Company Hazyish
The hazy IPA is having its moment, but shelf-life issues mean the style can be hard to find. See this beer? Snatch it up. Hazyish is a great representation of the style: silky, crushable, and consistent.
Samuel Adams Sam ’76
Sam Adams experimented with 60 iterations and multiple combinations of 12 different hop varieties at their nano brewery in Boston to nail this easy-drinking recipe. You’ll be up all night with this one.
The Bruery Mischief
What could impress your partner more than a 2016 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal Winner? This hoppy Belgian-style golden ale goes perfectly with a barbecue chicken dinner, and the large format bottle means you don’t have to worry about not getting your share.
There's a wallop of Citra hops in this hazy double IPA. At 7.8 percent ABV, you'll probably want to enjoy a can with dinner. Homemade pizza will do the trick.
Maybe your partner isn't a beer lover, but you want to share you're love of the beer drinking experience with them. This pleasantly sweet lambic is an old standby for people who typically prefer wine or cocktails. Try it. They'll like it.
Okay, yes, this is a cider. But it's made by Rheingeist, which is not only of the most formidable breweries in Ohio, but also the United States. This stuff is wildly bubbly, only a little sweet, and perfect for a dessert that won't weight you down.
If you can't afford to take your sweetheart on an actual tropical vacation, at least offer to take them there in the spirit of beer. This California brewery packs all kinds of hot-weather flavors—pineapple, mango, even some starfruit—into this instant escape in a can.
This supersmooth milk stout drinks easy at 5.6 percent ABV, but tastes rich and decadent due to a potent pile-on of chocolate flavors. This is the beer to end your night with.
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