Chocolate & cherries

This heavenly pairing comes together in porters and stouts fermented on dark, sweet cherries—think Black Forest Cake in a bottle.

Mill Street Chocolate Cherry Blossom

A full-bodied stout made with cacao nibs and sweet cherries (LCBO 636274, 473 mL, $3.95), it’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart.

MacLean’s Cherry Porter

This smooth, easy-drinking porter with a sour cherry kiss (LCBO 628875, 473 mL, $3.25) is crafted by

O.G. Ontario Brewmaster Charles MacLean. Only six Bavarian breweries hold the prized position of serving up their rich, bready lagers to the masses at Munich’s Oktoberfest every September. Mark the occasion by tasting the classic: Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier (LCBO 10205, 500 mL, $3.75). Or celebrate locally by camping out at Beau’s rockin’ Oktoberfest and drinking their fresh and grainy Night Marzen (LCBO

10302, 473 mL, $3.45) or by heading to Niagara’s Silversmith Brewing Company where you can sip its take on a fest beer, The Bandit (LCBO 12389, 473 mL, $3.65), a German-style smoked lager.

SWEET TREAT! THE COMBO OF ROASTY AND TART IS MADE FOR DECADENT DESSERTS. TRY WITH FUDGE BROWNIES OR NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE TOPPED WITH BERRIES.