The Bruery Chocolate Reign 2023 Double Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

4.4Untappd

Chocolate Reign (2023) pours an impenetrable near-black, with just a whisper of dark mahogany at the edges and minimal head retention — entirely expected at 22.5% ABV, where surface tension barely allows a thin collar of mocha foam to form before lying still. The nose is a brooding, intoxicating affair: waves of dark brownie batter, Colombian Arauca cacao, bourbon-soaked oak, Madagascar vanilla cream, and a gentle undercurrent of dark dried fruit — prune and Medjool date. On the palate, the body is full yet surprisingly pliant, with a low, silky carbonation that coats the tongue in rich chocolate liqueur and toasted bourbon wood.

Sweetness is generous but never cloying, anchored by a firm roasted bitterness from the double barrel contact. Cacao nibs assert themselves mid-palate alongside notes of dark caramel and a hint of molasses before the finish arrives long, drying, and gently warming — the high ABV revealing itself only as a dignified, lingering heat rather than a harsh burn. Aging potential is substantial; cellaring 2–4 years will further integrate the oak and soften any residual spirit bite. Explore this release further on [Untappd](https://untappd.com/b/the-bruery-chocolate-reign-2023/5627207).

Food Pairing

The Bruery Chocolate Reign 2023 imperial stout pairs magnificently with a dark chocolate fondant or a flourless espresso torte, where the beer’s cacao and vanilla depth echoes and amplifies the dessert’s richness. For a savoury counterpoint, aged Comté or a washed-rind Époisses de Bourgogne offers sufficient fat and funk to stand up to the beer’s commanding ABV and double barrel-aged complexity.

The Bruery Chocolate Reign (2023)