Chocolate

Victory Deep Cocoa Porter, Now Available

Victory Deep Cocoa, a porter, takes aim at the 2015 lineup. The base beer is a porter aged on cocoa nibs.

Dark, roasted barley. Rich, deep caramel. Decadent, fruit-tinged chocolate. We’ve unlocked the mysteries and nuances of malts to deliver these luxurious Continue Reading →

The Commons Brewery Brotherly Love Returns

The Commons Brewery (Portland, OR) has just re-released Brotherly Love, their first bottle conditioned beer, again. Brotherly Love is Belgian strong ale, barrel aged, with cherries and cocoa nibs.

A variation of our Little Brother Belgian dark strong ale, Brotherly Love is Continue Reading →

The Bruery Freckle Joins Preservation Series

The Bruery Freckle joins the Preservation Series of releases. Freckle draws inspiration from Mexican mole sauce.

The base beer for Freckle is an imperial stout, brewed with cocoa nibs and spices.

Freckle is a robust imperial stout that has been infused with Continue Reading →

Posted in American Craft Beer Week, Don't Miss This, Modern Times Beer, New Releases

Modern Times Barrel Aged Monster’s Park Tickets on Sale 3/19

Modern Times Bourbon Barrel Aged Monster’s Park tickets go on sale this Thursday. The brewery’s 13% ABV imperial stout has been aged 5+ months in bourbon barrels.

There are three versions of Modern Times Bourbon Barrel Aged Monster’s Park: The “classic” edition, one featuring Black House Blend coffee, and one with toasted coconut & cocoa nibs.

600 bottles of each will be available. Prices range from $24 to 28 a piece.

Modern Times Bourbon Barrel Aged Monster’s Park and variants on March 19th at 10am via Brown Paper Tickets; all bottles must be picked up at the Lomaland Fermentorium tasting room during the two month pick-up window.

A tap room party will be on March 25th. [TICKETS]

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.) Variants have Cocoa Nibs, Coconut, Coffee.
Availability: 22oz Bottles. 600 of each
Release: 3/25/15

13% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Cigar City Brewing, Headlines

Attention Computer Nerds: Cigar City Error Establishing Database Connection

A little computer meets beer for your Monday morning. Cigar City Error Establishing Database Connection.

Terminology for the website being down, Cigar City Error Establishing Database Connection is a barleywine, aged in cognac barrels with orange peel and cacao nibs. (Probably referring to the El Catador Club site crashing on sign up day.)

404 BEER INFO CANNOT BE FOUND

Cigar City Error Establishing Database Connection will be available in 750ml bottles. Most likely an El Catador Club offering.

Style: Barleywine (w/ Orange Peel, Cacao Nibs. Barrel Aged. Cognac.)
Availability: 750ml bottles
Release: TBA

?? ABV

Note: This is a “first look” preview. Details are subject to change at anytime by the brewery. 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Releases, Victory Brewing Company

Victory Deep Cocoa Porter, Now Available

Victory Deep Cocoa, a porter, takes aim at the 2015 lineup. The base beer is a porter aged on cocoa nibs.

Dark, roasted barley. Rich, deep caramel. Decadent, fruit-tinged chocolate. We’ve unlocked the mysteries and nuances of malts to deliver these luxurious and provocative flavors in the complex and satisfying porter. Raise your glass and taste the Victory of Deep Cocoa!

Victory Deep Cocoa will be packaged in 750ml bottles. Official release details to follow.

Style: Porter (w/ Cocoa Nibs)
Availability: 750ml Bottles, Draft.
Release: February, 2015

8.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Seasonal Return, The Commons Brewery

The Commons Brewery Brotherly Love Returns

The Commons Brewery (Portland, OR) has just re-released Brotherly Love, their first bottle conditioned beer, again. Brotherly Love is Belgian strong ale, barrel aged, with cherries and cocoa nibs.

A variation of our Little Brother Belgian dark strong ale, Brotherly Love is matured in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels with red tart cherries and roasted Peruvian cocoa nibs. Take your time with this rich, decadent beer — and share it with friends.

Brotherly Love is a part of the brewery’s Beetje Series is a celebration of The Commons Brewery’s nano roots. First brewed in 2010 on a one-barrel system housed in a garage, these small-batch beers pay homage to the rustic brewery started it all.

The Commons Brewery Brotherly Love is available in 750ml bottles.

Style: Belgian Strong Dark (Barrel Aged, w/ Cherries, Cocoa Nibs)
Availability: 750 ml bottles. Limited
Return: 2/14/15

10% ABV 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Cigar City Brewing, Coming Soon, Don't Miss This

Cigar City Caffe Americano Double Stout (Non Barrel Aged) Bottle Potential

The very highly rated Cigar City Caffe Americano Double Stout is aged in rum barrels. Bottles of the barrel aged offering have been previously available. Now, it looks like the non-barrel aged base beer will be making a bottle appearance.

Cigar City Caffe Americano Double Stout is an imperial stout, brewed with coffee, cacao nibs, and vanilla beans.

Traditional Caffe Americano is made by adding water to espresso. We break all the rules with this Double Stout. We refuse to add water to our beer after fermentation, but have no issues adding beer to our espresso. This deep, dark stout exhibits rich espresso and coffee notes, which are contributed by the generous use of roasted barley and locally masted espresso. That simply is not enough for us. We also add masted, raw chocolate and a hint of vanilla to this big bodied stout. Dodge the red eye and take a shot of the dark.

Cigar City Caffe Americano Double Stout will be available in 22oz bottles. This beer has not been announced by the brewery. Beer Street Journal has contacted the brewery for more information.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee, Cacao Nibs, Vanilla Beans.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles
Release: TBA

?? ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Don't Miss This, The Bruery

The Bruery Freckle Joins Preservation Series

The Bruery Freckle joins the Preservation Series of releases. Freckle draws inspiration from Mexican mole sauce.

The base beer for Freckle is an imperial stout, brewed with cocoa nibs and spices.

Freckle is a robust imperial stout that has been infused with the essence of an elegant Mexican molé. The dark, roasted barley in this 10.8% abv stout has been accented with a touch of rich chocolate and a hint of south of the border spice for our interpretation of the unique, sweet & savory sauce used throughout southern Mexico.

The Bruery Freckle is available to Bruery Reserve Society members, plus very limited distribution.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Cocoa Nibs, Spices.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles.
Release: February, 2015

10.8% ABV

The Bruery Freckle

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Perennial Artisan Ales, Seasonal Return

Perennial 17 Mint Chocolate Stout Returns in February

Perennial 17 Mint Chocolate Stout makes a return in February. The imperial stout is brewed with enough chocolate and mint to confuse and delight your tastebuds.

17 is an Imperial Stout brewed with huge amounts of chocolate malts, cacao nibs, and mint leaves. This hearty stout boasts 10% ABV and big chocolate aromas and flavors with a hint of fresh mint. This beer is perfect for the last cold months of the winter. However, it may be enjoyed right away, or allowed to age in the bottle.

Perennial 17 is available in 750ml bottles, and draft.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Cocoa Nibs, Mint)
Availability: 750ml bottles, Draft. Limited release.
Return: February, 2015

10% ABV

by Reid Ramsay