Chocolate

Half Acre Big Hugs Salted Chocolate Espresso

Half Acre Big Hugs Salted Chocolate Espresso will join the brewery’s lineup alongside the annual Big Hugs release.

2016 marks the 8th release of Big Hugs, an imperial stout brewed with Dark Matter Coffee. As an added treat, the Chicago based brewery Continue Reading →

Chocolate & Coffee: Ballast Point Mocha Marlin debuts

Ballast Point Mocha Marlin joins the brewery’s “enhanced’ bottle lineup in the near future. That’s our way of describing the expanding line of core beers that have extra ingredients, like grapefruit, thai chili, or pineapple.

Ballast Point Mocha Marlin starts as the brewery’s year-round Continue Reading →

Amazing beer name: Unknown Brewing Dos AKs

Probably one of the best beer names we’ve heard all year. Unknown Brewing Dos AKs.

We’ve spent time around Charlotte, North Carolina’s Unknown Brewing. One fact most assuredly comes to mind. They are weird. We mean that in the most endearing way. Continue Reading →

Posted in Seasonal Return, Upland Beer

Upland Brewing Teddy Bear Kisses returns this winter

Upland Brewing Teddy Bear Kisses, a Russian Imperial Stout aged on fair trade cacao nibs, returns this winter. Clocking in at 10%, this high ABV winter seasonal is oak aged on cocoa nibs for four weeks, giving it a slightly sweet and bold chocolate flavor with dark caramel and vanilla notes.

“Teddy Bear Kisses is aged for four weeks on cacao nibs to provide an intense chocolate flavor and aroma, like sipping on cup of hot cocoa. A roasty bitterness balanced by moderate sweetness provides incredible drinkability for this style.” -Matt Wisely, Innovation Lead

This seasonal release, Teddy Bear Kisses, hits shelves starting this week in 4-packs and draft within Upland Brewing distribution.

Style: Russian Imperial Stout (Oak Aged. Chocolate.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles. Draft.
Release: December 2016

10% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Half Acre Brewing, Coming Soon

Half Acre Big Hugs Salted Chocolate Espresso

Half Acre Big Hugs Salted Chocolate Espresso will join the brewery’s lineup alongside the annual Big Hugs release.

2016 marks the 8th release of Big Hugs, an imperial stout brewed with Dark Matter Coffee. As an added treat, the Chicago based brewery will release an edition with a little twist – aka Big Hugs Salted Chocolate Espresso.

22 ounce bottles will be available at the brewery on December 11th, 2016. $14 per bottle.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee, Chocolate. Sea Salt.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft. Brewery only.
Debut: 12/11/16

10% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines

Oskar Blues Rum Barrel-Aged Death By Coconut debuts in December

Oskar Blues Rum Barrel-Aged Death By Coconut is coming this December to the brewery’s’ taprooms. Brace yourselves.

The brewery recently upped their barrel-aging game with a national release of Barrel-Aged Ten Fidy. That beer is causing fan breakouts all over the nation right now.

Oskar Blues taprooms are seeing more barrel-aging variants available to those that can make trip, including recently released Java Fidy, (bourbon aged Ten Fidy with Hotbox Coffee). This December, Oskar Blues Rum Barrel-Aged Death By Coconut will find its way into cans.

The base beer, an Irish Porter brewed with coconut and Cholaca, a cacao derivative, is already a bit tropical. All it needed was rum.

“To sum it up we wanted a beer that sends your palate on vacation.” – Oskar Blues Cellar Manager Dennis McShea

Oskar Blues Rum Barrel-Aged Death By Coconut won’t be an easy get. The 19.2 ounce cans will be available at the brewery’s taprooms in Longmont, Colorado and Brevard, North Carolina on December 17th, 2016.

Style: Porter (w/ Coconut, Dark Chocolate. Barrel Aged. Rum.)
Availability: 19.2oz Cans. Taproom only
Debut: 12/17/16

?? ABV

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Wild Heaven Craft Beers, Seasonal Return

Tequila aged Wild Heaven Height of Civilization returns

Wild Heaven Height of Civilization, the brewery’s barrel aged Civilization Barleywine returns to the wild this week.

In 2014, the brewery purchased Dulce Vida Organic Tequila barrels ahead of this release. Wild Heaven Height of Civilization spent four months aging in the barrels prior to bottling.

The base beer, Wild Heaven Civilization Barleywine, brewed with dried Prussian lemons, Iranian hibiscus, tart cherries, cranberries, and cocoa nibs that have been re-hydrated in Four Roses bourbon.

The beer has been so well received, Wild Heaven got a hold of more Dulce Vida tequila barrels to bring this complex beer back once again.

Wild Heaven Height of Civilization is available in 750ml bottles for a limited time.

Style: Barleywine (w/ Lemons, Hibiscus, Cherries, Cranberries, Cocoa Nibs. Barrel Aged. Tequila.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles. Limited Release.
Latest Return: November, 2016

12+% ABV

Below, the beer enters the barrel. Pic: Wild Heaven  

Wild Heaven Height of Civilization

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Highland Brewing, Seasonal Return

Highland Black Watch Double Chocolate Milk Stout is back

Highland Black Watch Double Chocolate Milk Stout, part of the brewery’s Warrior Series celebrating “big beers in small batches,” releases for the second time this November.

Highland Black Watch is a 8% alcohol by volume milk stout, brewed with cacao nibs. The recipe is originally designed by brewery bartender J Unger.

The name pays tribute to Scotland’s historic military regiment known as The Black Watch. With their dark tartan and mission to keep watch over the Highlands, Highland salutes these warriors with a dark mahogany colored brew that pours silky smooth. Black Watch Double Chocolate Milk Stout combines more than 100 pounds of cacao nibs with five malts, roasted barley, and flaked oats to create a rich, high-gravity ale reminiscent of brownie batter and marshmallows with an aromatic nose and a lingering dark chocolate finish.

Highland Black Watch re-launces on draft and in 4-packs at the brewery tasting room on Black Friday, November 25th. Shortly after, a limited release of 4-packs will hit shelves within the brewery’s distribution area.

Taste: If you love milk stouts (and chocolate), this beer is for you. It’s smooth, creamy, and hard to put down. 12 ounces of dessert at a time.

The first release in the Warrior series series was Highland King Macalpin Double IPA.

Style: Milk Stout (w/ Cacao Nibs, Lactose.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Release: Late November, 2016

8% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Ballast Point Brewing, New Releases

Chocolate & Coffee: Ballast Point Mocha Marlin debuts

Ballast Point Mocha Marlin joins the brewery’s “enhanced’ bottle lineup in the near future. That’s our way of describing the expanding line of core beers that have extra ingredients, like grapefruit, thai chili, or pineapple.

Ballast Point Mocha Marlin starts as the brewery’s year-round Black Marlin Porter, plus additions of coffee and chocolate. Dessert or breakfast beer. Your choice.

Our Black Marlin Porter is the perfect beer for a mocha mashup. The addition of the coffee and cocoa plays perfectly off the roast, chocolatey flavors of this English porter, while a hint of vanilla smooths it all out. It’s full-bodied, but not too sweet; try it for breakfast…or dessert.

Ballast Point Mocha Marlin has been available on draft in the past.

Style: Porter (w/ Coffee. Chocolate.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: Late-September, 2016

6% ABV

Image: Ballast Point

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in The Unknown Brewing Co., Don't Miss This, New Releases

Amazing beer name: Unknown Brewing Dos AKs

Probably one of the best beer names we’ve heard all year. Unknown Brewing Dos AKs.

We’ve spent time around Charlotte, North Carolina’s Unknown Brewing. One fact most assuredly comes to mind. They are weird. We mean that in the most endearing way. So many folks take beer so damn seriously. Unknown just loves being a part of the industry.

More on the weird situation. Unknown’s Day of the Dead Beer Series has seen the likes of La Jordana del Escorpion en Fuego Hacia la casa del Chupacabra muerto, a beer brewed with 99 food-grade scorpions, and “El Corazon Que Sangra Morado”, or “The Heart That Bleeds Purple.” Continuing down that tasty, odd ball path is Unknown Brewing Dos AKs.

Even before we explain the beer, we can’t we but giggle a little bit with the name. Say it a few times out loud and you’ll start to get it. (HINT: Stay thirsty my friends.) The base beer is an imperial stout, fermented with a blend of ale and Mexican lager yeast. Those two yeasts ferment at entirely two different temperatures, resulting in a blend of flavors.

Additionally, the beer features cacao nibs, chipotle peppers, poblano peppers, and cinnamon. The specialty grains used mimic the favor of raisins. The brewery even brewed the beer with mariachi music in the background. It’s brewing. They damn sure have fun with it.

Flavor. This isn’t your run of the mill stout, there is a lot going on. Chocolate, cinnamon, and a touch of smoke from the chipotle peppers. Try it with some vanilla ice cream.

Unknown Brewing Dos AKs is available in 22 ounce bottles and draft starting November 2nd, 2016.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Cinnamon, Cocoa Nibs, Chili Peppers, Coriander.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: 11/2/16

9.2% ABV

PIC: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay