From Stone:
We decided early on that we wouldn’t do seasonal beers for the sake of doing seasonal beers. Summer ales and winter lagers certainly have a ring to them. Big-beer focus groups prove consumers get a kick out of them, and macrobrew marketing analyses suggest they sell well. But for us, beer comes first, much as Stone Smoked Porter came first. Actually, it came second—oddly enough, in the form of a seasonal. Our co-founder and original brewmaster, Steve Wagner, thought it would be an innovative, warming creation suited for winter…and it was.Nowadays, we brew a trio of tasty takes on this smoky, sultry vanguard. But the closest they come to being “seasonals” is that they are enhanced with seasonally driven ingredients such as vanilla bean and chipotle peppers. This version, released in the literally gray area separating sunshine and snowfall, incorporates dark chocolate and dried orange peel, making for a semisweet, citrus-nuanced porter that comes across like a break-apart chocolate orange enjoyed by a campfire.
ESCONDIDO, CA (Oct. 20, 2014) – In time for fall, Stone Brewing Co. is introducing a new, citrus-rich chocolaty iteration of the classic year-round Stone Smoked Porter. Today,Stone Smoked Porter w/Chocolate & Orange Peel begins shipping in 22-ounce bottles and on draft at retailers, bars and restaurants in select markets nationwide.
“Since 2006, we’ve done experimental cask creations with Stone Smoked Porter and discovered how well it pairs with a broad range of ingredients, from chipotle peppers to vanilla beans,” explains Stone Brewmaster Mitch Steele. “When trying out different combinations for this specific limited release, I was really impressed with how well chocolate and orange peel worked together and knew it had to be shared with our fans on a large scale.”
Orange peel was added post-fermentation to bring about a citrusy aroma and lingering, tangy flavor. The cocoa flavors come from the dark malts and addition of chocolate from Los Angeles-based ChocoVivo, which naturally augment the beer’s sweet, robust flavor. Magnum and Mt. Hood hops provide complex flavors, aromatics and a balanced bitterness that doesn’t overpower the chocolate and citrus qualities of the beer.
To fully enjoy the robust flavors present in Stone Smoked Porter w/Chocolate & Orange Peel, the beer should be enjoyed within 120 days from the “bottled on” date found on the bottle neck.
Stone Smoked Porter w/Chocolate & Orange Peel Quick Facts
Name: Stone Smoked Porter w/Chocolate & Orange Peel
URL: stonebrewing.com/porter/chocolateorange
Stats: 5.9% ABV, 53 IBUs
Availability: Limited 22-ounce bottles and draft, beginning October 20
Hops bill: Magnum and Mt. Hood
Distribution: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, TV, WA, and Puerto Rico
Find this beer: find.stonebrewing.com
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