I brought you a peek in April 2021, and now this from Stone:
ESCONDIDO, CA (October 21, 2021) – This fall, Stone Brewing introduces a holiday beer inspired by not one, but two decadent and velvety confections. Stone Xocoveza Tres Leches combines the inspiration of Oaxacan Hot Chocolate and Tres Leches treats in an imperial stout that’s smooth, creamy and intensely indulgent.
Craft stouts are quickly becoming a staple of the holiday season, with the category growing 80% during the Thanksgiving to Christmas holiday season last year.* Made from all that’s good about the holidays, Stone Xocoveza is brewed with chocolate, coffee, Pasilla peppers, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. At the pop of the can, the aroma is intense – cinnamon and spice up front with lingering coffee, caramel and sweet vanilla. It is a lively blend of flavors. Sweet spices are balanced with rich and creamy chocolate. Mild roast coffee flavor shines through and vanilla enhances the intense combination. Pasilla peppers impart a light hint of heat in the finale. With all that complexity, the beer is surprisingly bright on the palate, with just a touch of the residual sweetness that all the decadent flavors imply. Like a slice of Grandma’s tres leches cake and a sip of Oaxacan Hot Chocolate, the result is creamy, intensely flavorful and silky smooth.
Indeed, there’s a Grandma to thank for this fine creation. Stone Brewer, Steve Gonzalez, pulled inspiration from his Grandmother’s Tres Leches family recipe. “I’ll share the beer, but I can’t share that recipe,” said Gonzalez with a wink.
“I fell in love with Stone Xocoveza the first time I tried it many years ago,” said Stone co-founder Greg Koch. “I, like so many, look forward to the release each year. As much as I was hesitant to mess with such a hallowed beer, I do believe that this new recipe is my very favorite version we’ve ever produced, and I will be squirreling away more than my fair share to enjoy throughout the next year plus. Fair? Perhaps not. Too bad!” laughed Koch with a mischievous Grinch like grin.
Fitting to the season, this particular beer is incredibly food friendly. Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs, Black Bean Chili, Birria tacos and Chicken Mole all pair beautifully with Stone Xocoveza Tres Leches. Then for the ultimate indulgence, there’s Flourless Chocolate Cake, Salted Caramel Brownies or… Tres Leches Cake.
Stone Xocoveza Tres Leches is available nationwide beginning the week of October 18, 2021. Find it in 12oz six-pack cans or giftable 22oz bottles. The Stone Beer Finder will help lead the way: Find.StoneBrewing.Com. For those in California, ship directly to your home via StoneBrewing.com.
Stone Xocoveza Tres Leches is the first of Stone’s special holiday releases, which also include the Stone 12 Days of IPAs. This festive box features 12 individual IPA variations, from new recipes, year-round staples and deep cut fan-favorites from our past. Explore Stone’s storied past and a journey of IPA expressions with the full list of beers found here.
QUICK FACTS
Name: Stone Xocoveza Tres Leches
Release Date: Week of October 18, 2021
Web: StoneBrewing.com/XocovezaTresLeches
Stats: 8.5% ABV
Packaging: 12oz six-pack cans, 22oz bottles & draft
Availability: Nationwide
Find Beer: Find.stonebrewing.com
TASTING NOTES
- Appearance: Dark with a ruby hue, tan head reminiscent of espresso crema
- Aroma: Intense aroma all around! Cinnamon and spice up front with coffee, caramel, and sweet vanilla
- Taste: Lively blend of sweet spices, a ton of dark and milk chocolate, vanilla, and cold brew coffee
- Palate: All the aromas and flavors seamlessly meld together, creamy and pleasant sweetness throughout, very mild roast, and smooth finish
FOOD PAIRINGS
- Starters: Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs, Triple Cream Cheese and Crackers, Charred Brussel Sprouts **, Coconut Shrimp, Oysters
- Soups & Salads: Vegetarian Black Bean Chili, Beef Bourgeon, Steak Salad, Traditional Caesar Salad
- Main Courses: Birria Tacos **, Brisket Flatbread ***, Grilled Mushroom Torta, Chicken Mole
- Desserts: Tres Leches Cake, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Pecan Pie, Salted Carmel Brownies w/ Sliced Almonds, Bowl of Fresh Berries
*Nielsen data for Craft Stout sales in the 5 weeks between 11/22/20 – 12/25/20 vs. the five weeks immediately preceding.
**Menu items available at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Escondido and Liberty Station
***Menu items available at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station
ABOUT STONE BREWING
The San Diego-based Stone Brewing is the 9th largest craft brewer in the United States and an industry leader in environmental sustainability. Stone operates breweries in Escondido, CA and Richmond, VA, plus nine tap room and bistro locations and one of the nation’s largest craft-centric beverage distributors, Stone Distributing Co. The company’s long list of environmental efforts includes a LEED Silver Certification, world-class water reclamation, solar panels, creative uses of spent grain, and even live goats for ecological vegetation management. Stone has been called the “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by BeerAdvocate magazine twice. To find Stone beers, visit find.stonebrewing.com. For more information on Stone Brewing visit stonebrewing.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
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