Platter's can’t do this alone. As the old proverb says, it takes a village to raise a child, well it takes partnerships to run a business. Not just vendors who perform a service and then you pay them, but a partner. Someone who knows your business wants to see your business successful, AND one who works with you to bring on that success.

As Webster defines a partnership: a relationship resembling a partnership and usually involving close cooperation between parties.

This is where the story gets fun! I’m sure you’ve heard of Ellicottville Brewing Company, right? Have you heard of the Platter’s Chocolate Factory dessert beer line of brews? These are small-batch beers brewed by our friends at EBC. Just like our chocolate, the most famous is the Orange Chocolate Blonde Ale. Sounds like it would be a dark beer with chocolate in the name but surprisingly enough it is a nice blonde ale! Made a few times a year, it doesn’t stay on the shelf long or even in my fridge! Wink, wink!

It all started a few years back when we collaborated with EBC on Orange Chocolate Blonde Ale, followed by a Raspberry Truffle Porter and even a Sponge Candy brew. We took a break in 2020 and reignited our relationship, which turned into a true partnership, implementing a strategic plan to bring the best dessert beers to WNY. With EBC in Cattaraugus County and Platter’s Chocolate Factory in Niagara County, we pretty much bookend Western New York. 

We work together to bring the finest of beers tapping into the experience and knowledge of the Brew Master at EBC. Each beer has been carefully selected to represent the seasonal candies offered at Platter’s Chocolate Factory. EBC then brews this using their own fine ingredients in addition to the same ingredients we use to make the candy each beer represents. This is the real deal folks!

So far, we have collaborated on several small-batch beers. These include:

• Orange Chocolate Blonde Ale
• Irish Stout with Coffee Barrel Aged
• Black Raspberry Truffle Blonde Ale
• Affogato Dessert Ale
• Chocolate Peppermint Bark Stout

These are all crafted in small batches and only available while supplies last. Once released you can find them on tap and in 4-packs at:

• Ellicottville Brewing Company
• Fattey Beer Inc.
• Consumer’s Beverages Inc.
• Wegmans
• Walmart

If you’re looking to sample before you buy or just looking for a nice night out, stop by our tastings we hold with each release. Hosted by Fattey Beer–Wurlitzer, we hold a tasting event with samples of both the dessert beer and chocolate. New with our next event we will have a spin the wheel for prizes and an opportunity to win a basket worth over $100!

I’m confident we have “tapped” into a great partnership with Ellicottville Brewing Company as we both embrace bringing you the finest line of dessert beers.

Heidi Urban
Platter’s Chocolate Factory