Happy Saint Valentine’s Day! What better way to celebrate than with a beer named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty? 💌 🍺
Daughter of Neptune, God of the Sea, she was famously born from the sea foam (or aphros in Ancient Greek) created when his severed genitals were tossed in the Adriatic by his son, the Titan Cronos. As well as being the symbol of beauty in the Ancient Mediterranean, Aphrodite was also considered a goddess of war in certain city-states and was the mother to many famous figures including Eros, God of Love, and the mortal Adonis— a man whose name is now synonymous with beauty— and Aeneas, the mythical progenitor of Rome. 👩🏼🦱 💓
In Quebec, Aphrodite is just as mythical and loved, being the name of the classic cacao and vanilla stout from Dieu Du Ciel! Brewery. This version, however, comes from the 2023 Caisse d’Hiver and was aged in Port barrels to give it a fruity twist perfect for this most decadent of holidays. 🍫 🍷
Aphrodite Porto: Beer Review
Indeed, the beer is Valentine’s Day in a nutshell. It boasts smooth, rich milk chocolate notes up top with some extra vanilla sweetness to back it up and some vinous Port undertones that add a mild tartness and some delicious fruity notes of raspberry and cherry.
The Port balances things very well, cutting the sweetness with this fruity tang throughout, while the barrel adds some tannins in the finish that leave it somewhat dryer than usual and thus even more sippable. It’s an interesting combination and should be a winner alongside those chocolate liqueurs you might be munching on with your better half (or indeed alone!) tonight! 🍓
While you are at it, check out our post on the History of Beer
Originally from England, Mike Davis came to Quebec ten years ago to study history. During this time he fell in love with the microbreweries of Quebec, which reminded him of English pubs. Now, he holds a Ph.D. in History from McGill University but works in the beer world as the Brand Ambassador for Microbrasserie 4 Origines.
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