Topic Archives: Chocolate

Posted in Hi Wire Brewing, Seasonal Return

Mardi Gras Stout: Hi-Wire King Cake 10W-40 Imperial Stout

Hi-Wire King Cake 10W-40

Hi-Wire King Cake 10W-40, a Mardi Gras-themed imperial stout returns as February winds down. 

2022 seems to be flying by already. It’s Mardi Gras, Lent starts on Wednesday, and you can almost see summer from here. While Hi-Wire Brewing’s 10W-40 Imperial Stout evolves constantly throughout the year, a few favorites to make seasonal appearances – namely the King Cake 10W-40 Imperial Stout.

Stating the obvious, the imperial stout mimics the famous New Orleans King Cake – basically, a coffee cake blended with a cinnamon roll, covered in Mardi Gras colors. The stout is specifically brewed with lactose, vanilla beans, cinnamon, coffee, and chocolate. 

MORE: HI-WIRE 10W-40 IMPERIAL STOUT SERIES

Hi-Wire King Cake 10W-40 Imperial Stout is available for a limited time in 16-ounce cans and draft. 

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee. Chocolate. Vanilla Beans. Cinnamon. Lactose.)
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. Limited Seasonal Release. 

Latest Return: Late February 2022

8% ABV

Posted in Guinness, Don't Miss This, New Releases

Guinness releases barrel-aged Mint Chocolate Stout

Guinness Mint Chocolate Stout

Baltimore, Maryland-based Guinness Open Gate Brewery has a new seasonal imperial stout ahead of the holidays – Guinness Mint Chocolate Stout

The imperial stout is brewed with dried mint leaves, then conditioned on pure cacao (chocolate), then aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels.

“Chocolate and mint are a classic flavor combination, and the way those flavors interact with the bourbon character leads to something really special. It’s the perfect beer to sip on after a solid meal with family and friends over the holidays,” says Open Gate head brewer Sean Brennan. 

Guinness Mint Chocolate Stout also compliments recently returning Gingerbread Stout, also brewed in the Baltimore brewery. 

Mint Chocolate Stout is available in 11.2-ounce bottles for a limited time. 

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Mint. Chocolate. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 11.2 oz/4pk Bottles. Limited Release. 
Debut: November 2021 

10.8% ABV

Posted in Creature Comforts, Seasonal Return

Cool weather favorite Creature Comforts Koko Buni returns

Creature Comforts Koko Buni can

Creature Comforts Koko Buni, the brewery’s coveted milk porter, returns to cans again in November 2021. 

One of the first seasonals by the Athens, Georgia based brewery, Creature Comforts Koko Buni is a milk porter, aged on toasted coconut and cocoa nibs  Condor Chocolates and coffee from nearby 1000 Faces. This late fall season has been overwhelmingly popular since its debut a few years ago. We’ve seen fistfights over Koko cans at retailers.

In 2018, production expanded after the brewery brought their new production facility online, so finally there was a little more “Buni” to go around.

“We decided not to be traditional with the beer and add some ingredients that play well with the already roasty and chocolatey flavors of darker beers.” -Co-Founder and Head Brewer David Stein.

Coffee lovers will find a home here. Koko Buni starts heavy on the 1000 Faces coffee, and turns chocolatey mid-sip, finishing with a wisp of coconut. The beer is wonderfully creamy and decadent, stopping short of being sweet or heavy. 

Creature Comforts Koko Buni is a seasonal draft and 12-ounce can offering, available at the brewery and across the brewery’s distribution footprint again in November 2021. 

Style: Milk Porter (w/ Cocoa Nibs, Coffee, Toasted Coconut, Lactose.)
Availability: Draft, 12oz Cans
Distribution: Athens & Atlanta, Georgia (Very Limited)
Latest Return: November 2021

6.8% ABV

Koko means coconut in Papiamento, a common language in parts of the Carribean, while Buni means coffee in Swahili, a common language in southeastern Africa.

Image: Beer Street Journal 

Posted in Founders Brewing, Don't Miss This

Founders KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa coming in November

Founders KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa bottle

Founders KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa a new variant of the brewery’s famed Kentucky Breakfast Stout debuts in November.

For years, the ‘Ides of March’ brought the seasonal release of Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout, aka KBS. Like everything in beer brewing, things change. Founders shifted KBS to year-round status and started releasing variants of the venerable stout.

To date, variants have included KBS Espresso and KBS Mackinac Fudge. This November a third variant will debut – KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa.

…the sumptuous, deep coffee and chocolate flavors of KBS rise to the next level with a swirl of cinnamon and a hint of vanilla to create a sweet-but-not-too-sweet barrel-aged drinking experience. It’s a whole new spin on KBS that’s sure to sweeten your spirits.

Joining Founders KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa will also be the return of KBS Espresso. Both will be available in 12-ounce bottles and draft across the brewery’s distribution starting in November 2021.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Vanilla. Chocolate. Cinnamon. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Limited Release.
Debut: November 2021

12% ABV

PIC: Beer Street Journal

Posted in Mother Earth Brew Co, New Releases

Mother Earth Coconut Cake Imperial Stout joins 4Seasons Series

Mother Earth Coconut Cake Imperial Stout

Forget lighter beers as spring rolls around. Mother Earth Coconut Cake Imperial Stout is bucking the trend. In this case, warmer weather means barrel-aged.

Mother Earth’s 4Seasons Series arrives quarterly release that represents some of the best and unique creations in their brewing lineup. This imperial stout is brewed with toasted coconut, chocolate, vanilla, and lactose, and as a final flourish – aged in bourbon barrels.

“… What you’re getting here is a very complex ale with oak, caramelized sugar, and coconut dominating the palate, with a silky mouthfeel and dessert-like finish…” – Chris Baker, Director of Brewing Operations

Mother Earth Coconut Cake Imperial Stout is available for a limited time in 16-ounce cans.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coconut. Chocolate. Vanilla. Lactose. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 16oz Cans
Debut: Late March 2021

11.8% ABV

Posted in Coming Soon, Don't Miss This, Sierra Nevada

Coming Soon: Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Peanut Butter Cup Narwhal

Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Peanut Butter Cup Narwhal

October 2012 was when the beer world first got a taste of Narwhal Imperial Stout. The beer joined Sierra Nevada’s “High Altitude” Series, shortly after the brewery had debuted another huge stout – 30th Anniversary Imperial Stout. Soon, it looks like another Narwhal will be spotted – Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Peanut Butter Cup Narwhal.

This is far from the first variant of Narwhal that Sierra Nevada has released. The brewery’s Trip in the Woods Series has seen Barrel-Aged Narwhal with red and black currants, as well as Barrel-Aged Cocoa Coconut Narwhal.

As for  Barrel Aged Peanut Butter Cup Narwhal., the artwork is all we have right now, presumably brewed and both Chico, California and Mills River, North Carolina locations, and at a minimum – available in both gift shops.

Hold tight as this flavored Narwhal Imperial Stout dives to new depths, an abyss that’s rich with cocoa nibs, peanut butter flavor, and hints of vanilla from bourbon barrels. No need to unwrap candies, power the legendary dessert right into your glass.

Barrel-Aged Peanut Butter Cup Narwhal Imperial Stout is a 16-ounce can or bottle release.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Peanut Butter. Cocoa Nibs. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 16oz Cans or Bottles.
Debut: TBA

12.7% ABV

Posted in Yuengling, Headlines

Yuengling Hershey’s Chocolate Porter is chocolate perfection

Yuengling Hersheys Chocolate Porter Bottle

A year ago, two famous Pennsylvania companies – Yuengling and Hershey’s Chocolate announced a one of a kind beer collaboration – Yuengling Hershey’s Chocolate Porter. Much to the chagrin of fans of either, it was limited to draft-only, in a handful of locations.

Because 2020 needed good news, this month Yuengling unveiled bottles, destined for wide distribution.

The base beer is Yuengling’s nearly 200-year-old Porter recipe, plus “the world-famous taste of Hershey’s chocolate. Sadly for yet another year we still don’t have answers on the brewing process, but this year – we finally tasted it.

Once you crack open a bottle of Hershey’s Porter, you’re hit with the undeniable smell of Hershey’s chocolate. If you’ve ever toured the factory, or in my case – grew up going to Hershey Park on marching band trips, you’ll never forget that sweet and unique smell. (Yes.. marching band. Keep reading.)

The flavor is equally as real and rich as the smell. The roasty flavor of Yuengling Porter (one of the two beers first introduced by the brewery in 1829) blends beautifully with the Hershey Chocolate flavor. The success of this beer lies in the instantly addictive burst of Hershey’s aroma and flavor. It’s really uncanny.

Chocolate beers in the brewing world are abundant, so when one stands out like this, it’s a gift. Yuengling Porter and Hershey’s are equal partners in flavor. For that reason, it’s a collaboration that truly works.

Yuengling Hershey’s Chocolate Porter is a limited release in 12-ounce bottles and draft.

Style: Porter (w/ Chocolate.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Limited Release.
Debut: Mid October 2019
Bottling: October 2020

4.7% ABV

Image: Beer Street Journal