Not according to Stoddard's Brewhouse and Eatery, which is teaming with Cocoa Pete's Chocolate Adventures to stage a dinner pairing Stoddard's brews with a four-course meal powered by the taste of chocolate. Steve Donohue, Stoddard's brewmaster, is even producing a special Irish stout for the event, just one of the unique beers he produces year-round.

"The stout has a great chocolate flavor," Donohue says. "We're pairing specific chocolate with specific beers, and we're had a pretty positive response [for the dinner] so far."

Stoddard's, which opened in March of 1993 at 111 S. Murphy Ave., hasn't hosted an event quite like this before. Stoddard's was approached by Cocoa Pete's, which has held eight chocolate/beer dinners all over the Bay Area since November 2003. "You go to brew pubs if you like good, flavorful food," says Scott Barnum, former president of Pete's Wicked Ale, the other business venture of Cocoa Pete's founder, Pete Slosberg. "We found that chocolate pairs well with many things, but it also goes with beer."

The relationship between Slosberg and Stoddard's founder Bob Stoddard goes back to the 1980s, when the first Pete's Wicked Ale brew was produced at Stoddard's brewery. Barnum says the choice to take the concept to Stoddard's was an easy one, after going to well-known San Francisco pubs like the Thirsty Bear Brewing Company. "[Stoddard's is] an excellent brewer and an excellent purveyor of fine cuisine," Barnum says.

Bob Stoddard was the original brewmaster at the business that bears his name, but Donohue took over four years ago after concocting unique beers at the Los Gatos Brewing Company. The Stoddard's brand can also be found at several other locations, including at the HP Pavilion at San Jose. "I've brought in a couple new styles. That's where the art and science meet," he says. "I get a great deal of satisfaction from coming out to the bar and seeing everyone drinking my beer."

His Irish stout is already on tap for St. Patrick's Day, and he's also anticipating a few more experiments this year, including some new brews and more dinners of this kind.

Donohue will make an appearance at the chocolate and beer dinner. He will team with Slosberg to discuss the choices each made for the menu that will pair specific Stoddard's beers with dishes such as lamb braised with dark chocolate and mixed greens topped with chocolate shavings.

"We're going to talk about why they go together so well," Donohue says. And maybe provide some culinary enlightenment in the process.

The dinner pairing chocolate and beer is March 21 at 6:30 p.m. with a cost of $40 per person. For more information or to make reservations, call 408.733.7824.