December Beer of the Month- Dogfish Head Theobroma

Sorry everyone. I overslept on the beer of the month with the new baby and all. I had my notes on my desk sitting there since the end of November. I decided to choose Dogfish Head Theobroma because the description captured my curiosity ever since the release was announced. Dogfish Head is known for their extreme brewing and historic influenced experimentations, and this was something new. I had not tried this beer prior to selecting it for Beer of the Month. No time to waste, here it goes.

Theobroma ( Dogfish Head Brewing, Milton, DE)

Description: This beer is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras which revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early civilization to toast special occasions. the discovery of this beverage pushed back the earliest use of cocoa for human consumption more than 500 years to 1200 BC. As per the analysis, Dogfish head’s Theobroma (food of the gods) is brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs, honey, chilies, and annatto (fragrant tree seeds). Theobroma is 9% ABV and will be available in Champagne bottles by late spring 2008.


Smitty's Review: Sampled at 45 degrees. Pours an orange amber with a slight haze dissipating white head. Aroma of honey and holiday spices. Medium bodied that approaches a syrupy texture. Pale malt backdrop with honey at the forefront, complimented an aggressive but not overdone spiciness. The cocoa and annatto add some nuances to the mix. Finish has some accents of wood and just a hint of alcohol. Nothing really stands out on the palate, instead combining to create what comes across as a spiced holiday wheat wine. I was expecting a bizarre and unique beer based on the description, and this did not quite do that. No chocolate bomb here. However, I did enjoy the beer and I think it's worth trying at least once.

Recommended Food Pairing: BBQ, Smoked foods, Southwest and Latin American cuisine, spicy cheese like jalepeno or pepper jack.

Where To Buy: Midtown Wine and Spirits, Frugal McDoogal. LIMITED RELEASE- call ahead to see if still available

What's new in the bottle shops- December 2008

Last week I decided to swing by Midtown Wine and Spirits for the heck of it and guess what? We have some new beers on the shelves! For starters, there are three offerings from La Chouffe (Belgium) available in 750ml bottles-Houblon (IPA), N'Ice, and the Winter seasonal. The Houblon has one of the most bizarre and retentive heads I have ever witnessed in a beer.

They also have Saison Dupont in 750ml bottles and 4 packs. It's about effing time Nashville carried this beer. It is an outstanding Saison and in my opinion, a benchmark for the style.

Today I stopped by Frugal MacDoogal to get a Christmas gift for my father, since they carry a nice selection of Bourbon. I grabbed two new arrivals for myself. The first one was Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence 10th Anniversary. This is a limited edition beer, so grab it while you can. The second choice was Dogfish Head Theobroma. This beer is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras which revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early civilizations to toast special occasions. It is brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and nibs, honey, chilis, and annatto. I am been wanting to try this one since it was released earlier this year, so I was very pleased to see this on the shelves. Look for a review very soon. I left the liquor store side and quickly scanned the beer store side. After a three year hiatus, Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock is back and available for $12.99 per 22 ounce bottle.