Best Beers for Valentine’s Day 2027: 8 to Share

This guide is updated for Valentine’s Day 2027.

Beer belongs on the Valentine’s table just as much as wine, and often does the job better. A rich chocolate stout is a dessert in itself, a Belgian Trappist ale feels like a genuine treat, and a light aromatic wheat beer suits a shared dinner far better than a heavy red.

Below are eight beers built for the occasion, from indulgent dessert stouts to a world-class Trappist ale and a couple of lighter, food-friendly pours. They are made for sharing a bottle between two, not knocking back a six-pack. Every pick links to its full review and you can grab a bottle in a couple of taps.

Best Valentine’s Day Beers at a Glance

Beer	Style	Our rating	Best for
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier	Hefeweizen	4.8/5	Best light, aromatic share
Chimay Blue (Grande Reserve)	Belgian Strong Dark Ale	4.8/5	Best special-occasion beer
Ayinger Celebrator	Doppelbock	4.7/5	Best rich sipper
Allagash White	Witbier	4.7/5	Best lighter, romantic pour
North Coast Old Rasputin	Russian Imperial Stout	4.6/5	Best for sharing by candlelight
Young’s Double Chocolate Stout	Chocolate Stout	4.5/5	Best dessert beer
Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout	Oatmeal Stout	4.5/5	Best with chocolate desserts
Deschutes Black Butte	Porter	4.4/5	Best all-round pairing

Forget the cliche that beer is not romantic. A rich chocolate stout with dessert, a special Trappist ale to share, a light, aromatic wheat beer over dinner: these beat a rushed glass of house red. The trick is to pick something a step above the everyday and pour it into a proper glass.

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier

From the world’s oldest brewery, this is the benchmark wheat beer and a lovely lighter option for the night. Soft banana and clove aromas, a fluffy head and a smooth, refreshing body make it easy to share over a meal without weighing you down. Elegant and food-friendly. Read the full Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier review.

Chimay Blue (Grande Reserve)

If any beer says special occasion, it is this Trappist classic. Rich dark fruit, warming spice and a smooth, complex body that only improves as it warms in the glass. Share a large bottle between two, pour it into wine glasses, and it feels every bit as celebratory as champagne. Read the full Chimay Blue (Grande Reserve) review.

Ayinger Celebrator

A benchmark doppelbock made for slow sipping. Deep toffee, dark fruit and bread-crust malt, remarkably smooth for its strength, and a beer to nurse across an evening rather than rush. Perfect for two people settling in with something rich after dinner. Read the full Ayinger Celebrator review.

Allagash White

A beautiful American take on the Belgian witbier, brewed with wheat, coriander and orange peel. Bright, citrusy and delicately spiced, it is light enough to drink over a full dinner yet special enough to feel like a treat. A romantic, food-friendly choice for those who find stouts too heavy. Read the full Allagash White review.

North Coast Old Rasputin

A big, warming imperial stout for a cosy Valentine’s in. Intense dark chocolate, coffee and a boozy warmth make it a beer to sip slowly and share, ideally by candlelight with something sweet. Rich, indulgent and made for a slow evening. Read the full North Coast Old Rasputin review.

Young’s Double Chocolate Stout

Pudding in a glass, and the obvious Valentine’s crowd-pleaser. Real chocolate and dark malt give it a genuine cocoa richness that pairs perfectly with anything chocolate, or works as dessert on its own. Indulgent without being heavy-handed, and lower in strength than most dessert beers. Read the full Young’s Double Chocolate Stout review.

Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout

The beer that defines the style, and a smooth, silky partner for a chocolate dessert. Oats give it an almost creamy body with gentle chocolate and coffee and no harsh edges. Rich enough to feel like a treat but smooth enough to share more than one. Read the full Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout review.

Deschutes Black Butte

A benchmark porter that is rich enough to feel special but easy enough to drink over a whole meal. Smooth chocolate and coffee notes and a moderate strength make it the versatile dark beer for the night, whether with dinner or a shared dessert. The safe, always-good choice. Read the full Deschutes Black Butte review.

Set the Scene

A great beer deserves better than a pint glass on Valentine’s night. A few small touches make sharing a bottle feel like an occasion.

Valentine’s Day Beer FAQ

What is the best beer for Valentine’s Day?

For most people a rich chocolate stout like Young’s Double Chocolate Stout is the ideal Valentine’s beer, doubling as dessert. For a real occasion, share a large bottle of a Trappist ale like Chimay Blue poured into wine glasses. If you want something lighter with dinner, a wheat beer like Weihenstephaner works beautifully.

What beer goes with chocolate?

Dark, roasty styles are the classic match. A chocolate stout like Young’s Double Chocolate, a smooth oatmeal stout, or a big imperial stout like Old Rasputin all pair superbly with chocolate desserts, echoing the cocoa notes in the beer. Porters work well too.

Is beer romantic for a date?

It can be, if you pick with care. A special-occasion bottle to share, poured into proper glasses, feels every bit as considered as a bottle of wine. A Trappist ale, a chocolate stout with dessert or an elegant wheat beer over dinner all suit a date far better than a rushed pint.

What beer should I buy my partner for Valentine’s?

Pick something a step above their everyday beer. If they love dark beer, a Chimay Blue or Old Rasputin feels like a treat. If they prefer lighter styles, an Allagash White or Weihenstephaner is elegant and food-friendly. Pairing a bottle with some good chocolate is a safe, lovely bet.