Try?
Re-buy?
Have you ever had one of these beers where you bought a single and then wished you had bought more? Of course you have. Friends, Breckenridge Nitro Chocolate Orange Stout is not one of those beers, or wasn’t for me anyway. This was a beer I bought a single of and was glad I did. Mind you, I’m a big fan of Breckenridge, and have been since the 1990s. I’m also an honest craft beer reviewer, and Breckenridge Nitro Chocolate Orange Stout is not one of their best efforts.
I’m assuming the intent here is to emulate those milk chocolate candies flavored with and shaped like an orange. The idea sounded really great, and the fact the beer is sold in nitrogen-charged cans only sweetened the deal. I did enjoy Breckenridge Nitro Pumpkin Spice Latte more than most did, so why not try a can of the Chocolate Orange Stout? I did.
From the website:
Chocolate Orange Stout is brewed with orange zest and locally sourced cacao (cold-pressed unroasted cocoa beans). Mandarina hops impart subtle aromas of tangerine which enhance the citrus flavors. The velvety texture of the nitrogen head completes this decadent wintertime indulgence.
Breckenridge Nitro Chocolate Orange Stout has an alcohol content of 6% by volume with 13 IBUs. Total Wine sells it for $8.99 a 4-pack of 15.2 ounce cans, when it’s in season.
Breckenridge Nitro Chocolate Orange Stout pours to a jet black color with a medium tan head of creamy foam, less than I expect from a nitro beer. The nose is lackluster with faint chocolate notes. Taking a sip, the beer is thin in body with subtle milk chocolate flavor and a hint of juicy orange. It kind of like that chocolate orange I was talking about, but they definitely need to ramp up the chocolate and orange notes here. There are light dark roasty notes, and the whole affair finishes lightly roasty but thin.
The beer finishes a little thin, and for me is a disappointment. 2.5 stars. The more I drink the more watery it seems, and while the advertised flavors are there, I just want more of them and this beer could be great if they were.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
