Mixed reactions over chocolate beer

Beer lover Georgia May puts Whittakers chocolate beer to the test. Photo / Paul Taylor

The Hawke's Bay Today newsroom erupted as the internet announced The Garage Project had collaborated with Whittaker's in producing a 'limited edition' chocolate beer. Reporter Georgia May put the new brew to the taste test.

I was out of the building in seconds, conveniently ending up at the supermarket cradling four precious cans in my arms for my colleagues, who were anxiously awaiting my return.

The shop assistant eyed me at the counter, not amused by my newly discovered purchase.

"It's not right," she snapped. "Chocolate and beer - what's the world coming to?"

I empathised. Change frightens people.

Heading back to the office I sent a photo to one of my friends who considered himself a "home-brew expert", that is, he's made beer once. He told me I was being ridiculous and to stay away.

I told him his beer tasted like Vegemite, so what would he know?

During my short walk back to the office I examined the combination brew.

The design and packaging is authentic and stylish - simply increasing my love for the Whittaker's brand.

At 4.7 per cent alcohol content, the small can boasts "one whole block of chocolate worth of Whittakers cacao nibs".

"Unbelievably rich, dark and creamy, brewed with chocolate malts, lactose and infused with vanilla and freshly batch roasted cocoa beans.

"Tiny bubbles of nitrogen make it even more delicious."

As it's a combination beer, some other critics compared it to a stout, others to an ale.

I arrived back at the office and handed them out, leaving our thirsty deputy editor Mark Story empty-handed. He wasn't allowed one - probably the worst time he could have opted for Dry July.

Quick-witted photographer Paul Taylor was the first to crack the can open - without reading the charming instructions on the top.

"Bloody amazing," he gushed - at least that's what I thought he said. He's from Leeds, so I can't understand him half the time. But he seemed happy with it.

One sip was enough for my second colleague, who wished to remain anonymous.

"Nope," she concluded - then went on, for a more in-depth review. "It tasted like beer going down."

I started taking notes. "Go on."

"Then I was left with a dark, cooking-chocolate taste in my mouth for about 10 minutes.

''It wasn't awful but it wasn't pleasant, either,'' she said. "It's not on my list of must-buys.''

"It smells nice," Story interrupted - that's as much as he could contribute under the circumstances.

After several attempts at shushing sports reporter Anendra Singh, who was convinced the beer was simply a chocolate milkshake with beer put in, it was my turn.

After the first sip my first impression was the usual of Whittaker's - smooth, rich and velvety.

The consistency was quite heavy, similar to that of Guinness. It was the taste of beer that tingled my taste buds first - more like a stout than ale - before the powerful taste of chocolate took over.

It had quite a syrupy after-taste, similar to molasses - by the time I made it halfway through the can I was struggling.

It probably took me about 15 minutes to finish the beer. By that time it had warmed up slightly and it was flat - the chocolate taste became quite overpowering at that point.

Conclusion: It's something of a delicacy - something you should definitely try once.

I wouldn't overdo it and take a dozen to a party - it does feel like a bit of a meal in a can once you've finished.

One was enough for me and by the end I was feeling a little sickly due to the syrupy after-taste.

In saying that, everyone's different, and everyone in our newsroom had a different experience.

There's certainly something distinct, special and unique about this limited edition beer. I'd recommend giving it a try.