From the Beer Writer: Back when the married owners of 2kids Brewing Company first told me about their chocolate stout, the nano-brewery had just opened, the beer wasn’t yet on tap and we weren’t that far removed from the Charlie Sheen meltdown that partially inspired its name. But there was far more than the zeitgeist-riding intent to the handle 2kids Winning! Chocolate Stout. The moniker conveys the medal-garnering status of this beer from Rob and Sam Dufau’s pre-2kids homebrewing days. Hearing them describe its recipe and pedigree, I grew excited to come back and check it out. When I did, Winning! did not disappoint. Rich in chocolate flavor but just 6.2% alcohol-by-volume and extremely drinkable, it fits in with 2kids’ largely sessionable and occasionally confectionery-inspired portfolio of ales, and is a no-brainer for aluminum-containment now that the Dufaus are putting canned offerings up for sale at their Miramar digs. The beer will make its debut in four-packs starting 3 p.m., today at 2kids’ tasting room during an official release event, providing the basis for a victorious weekend.
From the Brewer: “Winning! Chocolate Stout is an amped-up milk stout that we brew with organic cocoa, Madagascar vanilla beans and fair-trade cacao nibs. We’ve been working on this recipe almost as long as we’ve been brewing, and as homebrewers it was our most decorated beer at competition. It has a big, roasty malt backbone that helps balance out the sweetness and supports the dark-chocolate flavors that dominate the flavor profile. It’s dessert in a glass, but balanced enough to enjoy a pint of. We also like it with a big scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream, or half and half with our Tribute Blonde Stout for the most intense black-and-tan ever.”—Rob Dufau, Co-owner, 2kids Brewing Company