Stone - Xocoveza 2016

Yeah they sold me a case probably had like 4 more on the floor probably more in back.
I know last year I was only able to get two six packs from a different store.

 

...$64 with tax. Not too bad.

(My last post cut off, not sure what happened)

 

Touchdown in NM.It's just a waiting game for everyone else. Stone beer finder was actually pretty acurate. It at least changed from "you're getting it but come back to check shipping schedules", to a link to a beer finder map, which hadn't been updated just yet. One store got them in today. No apparent limit and I took advantage.


IMHO, it tastes a bit different this year. Possibly more pepper heat and more bitterness. Getting almost no cocoa, coffee, or chocolate. More cinnamon and nutmeg than anything with a backend bitterness and such.. I'll mix this with FBS and see how it changes.


When did Stone go with see through stickers on their bottles? I always loved the etched ink look. Now it feels cheapish

 

One case of XOCOVEZA is all I need, man!



x = c and veza = cerveza. So, it's pronounced COCOVEZA, not SHOCOVAYZA.

 

Thank you @WckdVbz
Living out in NM, I have never heard someone say cerveza, with a VAY. Just look at Youtube videos for help in pronouncing Cerveza. It's clearly more of a -RED (or VED) sounding form than a VAY.Some may even use more of a VEY form. The Y can tend for some to almost roll that sound into sounding like a R.

Simply - COCOa-Veza is how I will be saying it from now on.

 

14.99 at my total wine. Not bad!

 

We just got it and there are no limits! I'm getting a case!

 

Um, you can pronounce it however the hell you prefer, but the beer is officially called Sho..., no matter how many objections, reasonable or otherwise, you or anyone else bring up.

I don't really notice a difference from last year, other than to say I enjoy the fresh stuff more than my 10-month-old 2015s, of which I have no more.

 

CHOCOVEZA is another one. I don't care how it's pronounced as long as they keep making it!

 

Did a very 15 vs 16 16 wins but the 15 isn't bad just the flavors don't pop as much ot held up pretty well overall

 

I actually just point at it so my apparent pronunciation post means very little.

"I like that ^$** right there."
(employee hands over a black and aqua/lime green case;as i basically describe the colors more than the name lol)

Thanks!
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With Stone's apparent layoffs, how are they not hitching their horses to ride this wagon as far as they can? I saw just 9 and 7 cases at two local shops that maybe cater to a million people. I bought 2 of said cases, and plan on more. I will see by Saturday just how much or how little is actually sold.

So really. I know its not a far fetched item to brew (its more convenient to buy than brew up myself). The fact that their website says limited distribution sort of irks me. Here in NM, the name alone (the english name) Mexican Hot chocolate on the big case box has soooooooo many people intrigued. I do wonder why local breweries haven't hopped on their own wagons that Stone is so eagerly willing to leave empty

Btw, mix this with Founders Breakfast stout 50-50. The blend is magical

 

I can see that blend to make the coffee pop a lot more.

 

This is just my humble opinion, which happens to be shared with a few of my local beer drinking friends. They ruined the beer this year. I bought three cases last year, as it was my favorite beer from all of 2014. I was planning on buying at least as much again. However, my roommate brought home a six pack the day it dropped here, and we tried one. We both just looked at each other with disappointment.

The flavor is flat and muddled and the mouth feel, which was already on the thin side, is now just watery. I don't know if they are using cheaper ingredients, or just less, or if they actually changed the recipe to go along with the second re-branding, but this is not the same beer. I will not be purchasing even a six pack this year. I will not hesitate to try again next year, but I am sad to have lost the excitement over one of my favorites.

 

That.. Plus I feel many (myself included) find the regular Xocoveza a bit on the thin side. I had some for the first time this year yesterday and found there to be a bitterness element that seemed to be more apparent than in the past. An FBS blend had more pronounced mouthfeel, lacing, and that touch of winter spice was muted to a near perfrect level. I have heard zero complaints about a FBS x Xoco mix.

A true blend here saves this beer IMHO. Or at least makes a great one into a world class beast

 

had the exact same experience. Literally was almost indistinguishable. Anyone who thinks it's not as good this year is probably just remembering it tasting differently than it did.

 

Perhaps not a megastar blend, but I occasionally mix Xocoveza with Stone Coffee Milk Stout. More java, less cinnamon/nutmeg.

 

These comments about mixing xoco with other beers sound pretty good. I'm thinking spiking it with a little KBS might be delicious.

 

You do understand that many of the flavors in the 15 have faded significantly over the course of the year, right? The fact that you are saying they are indistinguishable is only proof that the 16 has less flavor.

I have been drinking the 15 regularly over the past year and it has changed quite a bit over time. I tried it side by side with the 16, and I thought the 16 still had less flavor and was even more watery than ever the year-old 15.

 

Totally agree. Maybe I've just been spoiling myself with things like KBS, Term Oil, and Mexican Cake, but this tasted so thin to me. I've had 2 of my 6 bottles and don't even know if I want to finish them. It tasted almost as thin as a Guinness to me, honestly. Haven't tried mixing with "better" beers like KBS or FBS yet because I enjoy those too much to water them down.

 

I don't buy a lot of Stone beers any more but this is one that's a must buy every year. It's simply fantastic and although it's a bit pricey, it's still a must buy. One of my favorite stouts. Excellent job Stone!