Chocolate Ale Blitzkrieg(Brew Review)

The Chocolate Ale Blitzkrieg was practically over in all of 3 days. It was here and it was gone before we knew what had happened. So, I'm showing up late to a party that's already over...but is it? I felt a little down that Boulevard's latest release had gone by the wayside in a matter of days, maybe a week, then I remembered the W.C. Fields quote: "Everybody should believe in something...I believe I'll have another beer." Why the heck did that pop in to my head, you ask? Well, it reminded me that we aren't interested in having just one taste or one beer. The true beer lover would have a few (if not many) tastes and enjoy every moment. The Boulevard connoisseur would not have purchased only one bottle to try; they would have given themselves the opportunity to try and try again. So I hypothesize there are many a brew lover out there (or at least in Kansas City) that have nestled away a tiny stash of Chocolate Ale to bring out to play another day. I didn't really miss the party at all, I just showed up at intermission...any of my friends will tell you, I'm late to everything.

I decided to wait to try the Chocolate Ale with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law while on a quick jaunt to Portland for some beer and Cake (band) over Valentines weekend. I know what you're thinking, 'Imbibilicious, what about your wife?!' Well, I did what any loving husband would do...I left her in KC. Don't worry, she was OK with me spending my V-day weekend with my other love, the sweet nectar known as beer.

The Boulevard/Christopher Elbow collaboration survived the trip from KC to PDX just fine. I was quite worried Portland security was going to confiscate the brew in baggage claim - not because it was a security risk, but because the people of Portland have a love for ale that's on another level. No offense to my fellow Kansas Citians, but we could all learn a lesson or two. Anyway, I digress. On to the tasting!!

We popped the cork and poured three generous servings into tasting snifters. I have to be honest, I was not expecting such a light ale color. I knew to expect something different, but I was stilled amazed...especially when the chocolate aroma hit my nose from three feet away. "Incredible!" I whisper to myself with eyes wide. On first sip, the chocolate was light and the ale was crisp and clean, but as the brew warmed in my hand, the chocolate seemed to creep out more deeply. In a way, it tasted as if someone at the brewery accidentally spilled Carnation Instant Breakfast in my beer before bottling. The flavor was unexpected, but very intriguing, and very believable. Much like adding the likes of Jack Black to Yo Gabba Gabba* made the show all the more appealing. I wanted more, but with three adults, the bottle was emptied too quickly. Luckily, I was able to nab a few for the cellar. You won't have to twist my arm to pop one open again soon.

*Yes, you read that right. I made a Yo Gabba Gabba reference in a beer blog. But it all the more explains the intriguing flavor I was getting from the Ale. Open YouTube. Look it up. Yo Gabba Gabba is a show for the 2 to 6 year old crowd, where current entertainment icons frequently make guest appearances, wear hilarious costumes, and sing some pretty fun songs...for younger folks. You should check it out some time (with your kid, niece or nephew, or a Boulevard Chocolate Ale, but never alone of course).

Serving Type: 750ml Bottle

Glassware: Tasting Snifter

Color (hue and head): Hazy, transparent, traffic light yellow (almost orange). Light and lacey head.

Aroma: Cacoa powder, soft, nutty.

Taste: Carnation, hint of fruit, nuts. Very light hop backbone. Inviting.

Grade: 93/100 (A-)

Musical pairing: Cake - Satan is my Motor

Surroundings: Portland, beer capital of the world, visiting family, watching yo gabba gabba with niece.

Stay Classy, Kansas City.

Check out the letter below from Boulevard to all Kansas City beer lovers seeking the recent Chocolate Ale release. You have spoken and Boulevard has heard. This is a great thing...and shows a great partnership between the brewery and its faithful followers. If Boulevard is willing to keep pushing the envelope of brewing, we'll be there to enjoy the many creations. Thanks, Boulevard.

February 14, 2011

Dear Friends,

Holy cow, did we ever misjudge your feelings towards chocolate in beer. Before the Chocolate Ale storm hit, it was to us just another in a series of Smokestack seasonal and limited release offerings, a fun collaboration with local chocolatier Christopher Elbow. We packaged the same amount of Chocolate Ale as we had those previous Smokestack releases, roughly 19,200 bottles and 350 1/6 barrel (5.2 gallon) kegs.

You might say that the response to the beer took us by surprise, but that wouldn’t do it justice. No, we were blown away by the overwhelming reaction to Chocolate Ale, especially in Kansas City. We’re still not entirely sure how or why it happened. Maybe it was just a bunch of things coming together:  a tasty and intriguing beer; a strong local connection; a gradual but steadily building buzz as we waited (and waited, and waited some more) for Federal label approval; the just-before-Valentine’s Day release, when we finally got the go-ahead from the government; and finally, the impact of social networks fueling demand in real time.

However or why-ever it happened, it was a tempest that left most everyone — from brewery staff, to distributors, to retailers, to you, our loyal customers — confused and frustrated. It’s probably not much consolation, but the brewery's 90+ employees encountered the same challenges trying to find Chocolate Ale, since we don’t hold back any limited release beers. Most were, like so many of our customers, unsuccessful. We will learn from this experience and, we hope, better anticipate demand of future releases.

To those of you who searched in vain and were unable to find a bottle or pour, please accept our sincere apologies.  

Chocolate Ale was going to be just a one-time, one-off release. But due to the overwhelming feedback we've received, and after much internal discussion and debate, we’re pleased to announce 

that it will be back for next Valentine’s Day.

We appreciate your understanding, and thank you for your continued support.

Your Friends at Boulevard Brewing Company

Sugar Crash!

Going, Going, Gone. At least in my area. If you haven't secured your necessary allotment of Boulevard's latest release, you may be fresh out of luck. Boulevard's Chocolate Ale hit local shelves today and, according to all my local spots, sold out in a few hours. Around 1pm, my brother-in-law called from Portland to have me grab him a bottle for my brew trip to his neck of the woods this weekend. I figured if word of this local concoction could create a buzz in the micro brew capital of the northwest, I better get my butt in gear. I left work early to nab my few bottles (sorry if you're reading this, boss). Given this is a limited, one-time collaboration brew with local chocolatier Christopher Elbow, there was a maximum of two bottles per customer. Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits on State Line decided to take that down to one bottle per person. BOO!! I decided to exploit the process a few hours later and hit a few more stores to get a reserve selection of the Chocolate Ale aging in my cellar. No dice. I visited three local spots and called three others, and they were all fresh out. Lucky for Portland and my partner in crime, Yum! Beer, I just may have a bottle for them...but only if they share.


Imbibilicious, out.