This sounds awesome. I'm in for a multi-pack the moment it lands here. https://www.boulevard.com/2019/01/18/chocolate-ale-2019/ @JeremyDanner
I remember having this back in like 2010-ish when Boulevard first started hitting Massachsetts. Too damn sweet/cloying for my liking back then, even for a dessert beer. Maybe I'll revisit if I see it on-tap.
This beer used to be the epitome of truck chasers for the Kansas City market. I'm curious if it'll still receive this sort of reception for this release. Despite lots of beer trading locals talking crap on Boulevard, we've seen some of their fastest release sale outs lately. I won't be surprised if the truck chasers return for this one. I want it, but it may end up being easier for me to trade someone not local to the brewery to get this release. Time will tell.
Had it back in Oct 2012, pretty tasty, I liked it, would buy again. From my review, "Do not expect a Stone Arrogant Bastard here folks, this is more like a Belgian Strong Dark Ale." Cheers!
My notes from 2015 are “nestle raisnettes” indicating it was sweet, chocolatey and raisiny. Sounds good to me today still.
You're probably right. I remember chasing this down in KC only to see it sitting on Chicago shelves after I moved. That said, it's a fun beer and I'll definitely pick up a 4pk if I see it.
It's hard to say what the market will do. Last time we saw Boulevard truck chasers was for the last two Crown Town releases. Chocolate Ale isn't associated with a major sports team championship run, but it is associated with a luxury local coffee brand. Hope to find it for myself. I have never tried the standard Chocolate Ale, only having had the Raspberry Chocolate release.
Do you remember the infected batch from around that time? God, that was bad. Good times in the beer world. *nostalgia*
Hahaha yeah I do actually remember that. My bottle definitely wasn’t infected but I recall the horror stories quite well.
Nailed it with this comment, especially with the latest "vintage." It's like a "light" BSDA. Yeast, yeast, and more yeast, with dark/dried fruits all over the place, and the "chocolate" as a side-note. "Sixth Glass" light. SJM
I had one last night. It was really good. It's nice that it isn't overly sweet and cloying. It is basically exactly what it says it is, and there are no other beers that I have had that are remotely like it. I thought it was as good as the first time I had it 7-8 years ago (didn't taste like green pea soup like the one off year). Boulevard is really nailing it with four packs. That is much appreciated.
Been to a couple of stores in the last couple of days, and none to be found. Gonna go over to another place and see what they have. Cheers!
I'll buy a couple. I really liked it when I had it in 2014/2015, and I prefer the Chocolate Ale over the Chocolate Ale w/ Raspberries (2016) by a wide margin. Now if only they would bring back Coffee Ale (even as a bi-yearly release) because I remember liking it, but the last time I had it (2013) may have been the last year they made it.
Finally had one. It's way too thin for the ABV. It's a big step down from the previous limited releases (Plaid Habit & Grand Cru).
Tried one a couple days ago and it left much to be desired. Wasn’t expecting something that thin or light for the abv. It wasn’t a bad beer by any means just disappointing for $4.50/single
Same here. Based on other's comments and the name I expected a life changing chocolate experience, but was severely underwhelmed. It vaguely smelled and tasted of chocolate. Granted - it's a beer, not a hot chocolate, but something called Chocolate Ale should taste more like chocolate.
