Chris Banker / Stone / Insurgente Xocoveza Mocha Stout

STYLE

Milk Stout

ABV

8.1%

IBUs

50

This year’s winner of our American Homebrewers Association-sanctioned homebrewing competition, Chris Banker, helped keep us grounded to our homebrewing roots by introducing flavors consistent with our regional palate. His chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, chile pepper and coffee-infused milk stout was built to mimic the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate, a beloved specialty from our neighbors to the south, as our collaborators from Baja California, Cervecería Insurgente, will attest. Layered with earthiness, spice and roast, this creamy, semisweet blue-ribbon beer confirms that the spirit of the American homebrewer is not only alive and kicking but thriving at an all-time high.

Looking for our 2015 release, Stone Xocoveza for the Holidays & the New Year?

ABOUT THIS BEER

Release Date

September 8, 2014

FEATURED HOPS

English Challenger & East Kent Golding

Beeradvocate

95

Tasting Notes

Appearance

Pours black with a thick brown head.

Aroma

Intense cinnamon, cocoa and coffee are followed by nutmeg and peppers. As the beer warms up, the flavor combinations evolve and the cocoa and vanilla notes really start to open up.

Taste

Cocoa and cinnamon are at the forefront. The coffee, nutmeg and vanilla follow, and the fruitiness and heat of the pasilla peppers come through nicely on the finish.

Palate

Full-bodied and very smooth with a light bitterness. The sweetness adds a lot to this beer without being too syrupy.

Overall

When we tasted Chris Banker’s winning beer at our annual AHA rally back in March, I think everyone on the brewing team was blown away by the multiple layers of flavor in this beer. Chris’ inspiration was Mexican hot chocolate, and he was able to perfectly replicate the flavors. The inclusion of Cervecería Insurgente for this collaboration was a fun addition. We first met co-founders Ivan and Damian at the 2014 Craft Brewers Conference in Denver, and given their brewery’s proximity to us in Mexico, and their approach to brewing, we thought they’d be a perfect fit for the third collaborator.

Provided by

Mitch Steele

,

Brewmaster

Pairing Notes

Appetizers

Bacon-wrapped figs, roasted pecans sprinkled with cinnamon, jalapeño poppers, candied salmon, coconut shrimp

Soups

French onion, beef stew, pork chili, butternut squash, clam chowder

Entrées

Chicken mole, coffee-dusted fillet, vegetarian green curry, stuffed poblano chiles, mushroom stroganoff, lamb chops

Cheeses

Camembert, Hook’s EWE CALF to Be KIDding, Beehive Cheese Big John's Cajun, Point Reyes Original Blue, Maytag Blue

Desserts

Cinnamon rolls, pecan pie, chocolate lave cake, tiramisu, vanilla ice cream float

Cigars

Alec Bradley Prensado Robusto Corojo, Casa Magna Colorado Extraordinario, Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary Robusto, La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor, Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro

Provided by

"Dr." Bill Sysak

,

Craft Beer Ambassador

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