:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62247929/xoco_ingredients_close_e1509046771687.0.jpg)
Welcome to another edition of the Beer of the Week!
As always, the Beer of the Week is originally presented on the Arrowhead Pride Tailgate on 610 Sports Radio as part of my Defense and Beer of the Week segment.
Once again, Arizona brewery distribution is lacking as we head into this week’s game against the Cardinals, so I went a little west to get this week’s offering. As we settle fully into “stout season,” this beer just made sense. This week’s Beer of the Week is Stone Brewing Xocoveza!
Leaves are changing color. Days are getting shorter. The temperature is getting cooler. It all means one thing: Stone #Xocoveza season is finally back!
— Stone Brewing (@StoneBrewing) October 11, 2018
Use https://t.co/ZDOM3zVAaj to track down our imperial stout inspired by Mexican hot chocolate near you. pic.twitter.com/60A28GFyKJ
An 8.1 percent ABV Mocha Stout, this creation was inspired by Mexican hot chocolate. With strong cocoa and cinnamon flavors up front, the beer gives way to coffee, nutmeg and vanilla with a hint of heat from pasilla peppers. This is a truly delicious beer for those who love chocolate and stouts, as well as a little bit of spice to their beer.
Founded in 1996, Stone Brewing is the eight largest craft brewery in the United States. Known for their flagship Arrogant Bastard Ale, Stone has never shied away from brash flavors and brash marketing — stamping “You’re not worthy” on the side of their Bastard releases. Arrogant Bastard became so successful that they operate as their own product line, Bastard Brewing.
Stone’s beers are typical of the West Coast — drier with a high hop content — and tend to finish very clean. The majority of their year-round releases are IPA variations, and it’s what they do best.
On a personal note, one of Stone’s beers, Levitation Ale, is one of the reasons that I got into brewing beer. Discontinued in 2015, Stone’s hopped-up amber ale was one that I couldn’t find on the shelves in Kansas in the mid-2000’s. With some digging, I found a recipe and set off to do my first all-grain brew. To this day, I still have the recipe kicking around to brew every once in awhile, aptly named “Tribute.”
So if you can, make sure to swing by your local liquor store and scoop up some Stone Brewing Xocoveza this weekend!
Check back here this time next week for the new Beer of the Week!