Rochester, NY – It’s the most wonderful time of the year – especially for craft beer lovers. Salted Caramel Chocolate Porter and Winter Warmer, two coveted seasonal releases from the Genesee Brew House Pilot Batch Series, are hitting shelves just in time for the holidays. Salted Caramel Chocolate Porter made its debut two years ago in Rochester, N.Y., in extremely limited quantity. Due to its overwhelming popularity, the Genesee Brew House is bringing the beer back for another holiday season. In addition, Winter Warmer, which had previously been available exclusively at the Genesee Brew House, is now bottled so that beer drinkers can enjoy it at home throughout the season.
“The response to both of these beers was overwhelming,” said Dean Jones, Brewmaster at the Genesee Brew House. “My job is to brew great beer. It’s what I love to do. When you find out people love your beer as much as you do, well that’s about all you can ask for as a brewer. I’m excited that more people will have the opportunity to try both brews this season.”
These two flavorfully festive seasonal beers are perfect for holiday gatherings and sharing with friends. The Genesee Brew House is continuing a time-honored tradition among brewers around the world who create special beers to celebrate the holidays.
Indulge… Life is Sweet
Salted Caramel Chocolate Porter originated as a small, hand-crafted, 20-barrel batch of beer that was released only in Rochester, N.Y. at the Genesee Brew House two years ago. Dean teamed up with Rochester’s Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, a nationally-recognized boutique chocolatier, to source the finest pallets of French chocolate to use for the production of this special seasonal beer. In fact, Hedonist’s hand-crafted salted caramels were named“one of the 10 best small-batch chocolate-covered salted caramels” in the country by theNew York Times.
Dean learned that much like the art of brewing beer, the secret to this fine chocolate’s flavor lay in its fermentation process. Made with real vanilla bean and free of corn-syrup, Hedonist’s chocolate is fermented longer in its own fruit and pulp, which gives it such a rich, sweet flavor. Dean embraced these flavors, tailoring his beer recipe to balance this particular chocolate. What resulted is a seductively complex English Style Porter with a rich caramel aroma and a lot of roast. The beer boasts a medium hop flavor and medium bitterness that is balanced by a dark chocolate bittersweet finish.
Dean knew he created something special when Salted Caramel Chocolate Porter quickly sold out of the Genesee Brew House. Since its debut in 2014, Genesee has seen first-hand how much craft beer lovers enjoy the beer, and are delighted to bring it to a wider audience this season. Salted Caramel Chocolate Porter is now available in 4-pack bottles, as well as on draft for a limited time. Beer drinkers can purchase the brew at select locations throughout the East and the Midwest. To find Salted Caramel Chocolate Porter near you, visit Genesee’s online beer finder.
Warm up, it’s cold outside
Joining Salted Caramel Chocolate Porter is Winter Warmer, another beloved beer from the Genesee Brew House that is new this year to the Pilot Batch Series. Dean originally produced the beer for a friendly brewery throw down years ago, entering it under the name Reisky & Spies. As the beer gained popularity among craft beer lovers, the label evolved into today’s Genesee Brew House Pilot Batch Winter Warmer.
A full-bodied ale with a warming alcohol presence, Winter Warmer boasts a brilliant, but very deep burnished copper color. Complex dry dark chocolate flavors highlight subtle fruit and raisin notes in its huge malty profile, while a blend of pale malts, paired with judicious amounts of caramel and dark specialty malts, give Winter Warmer its luscious complexity. This unique beer is balanced with traditional noble hops for bitterness and aroma.
Previously only sold on draft at the Genesee Brew House, Winter Warmer is now available in 4-pack bottles, as well as on draft in select bars and restaurants for a limited time. Beer drinkers can purchase the 4-pack bottles at select locations throughout the East and the Midwest. To find Winter Warmer near you, visit Genesee’s online beer finder.
About the Genesee Brew House
Once a century-old packaging center, the Genesee Brew House transformed a 9,200 square-foot space into a world class beer destination. The first floor of the Brew House features interactive exhibits, multi-media content, a retail shop and a pilot brewery complete with a tasting bar. Upstairs, there is a pub-style restaurant with a 41-foot bar (hand-crafted out of old, wooden Genesee brewing tanks), outdoor terrace seating and a rooftop patio.
The Genesee Brew House tells a story of the Genesee Brewing Company that dates back to 1878. The brewery lays claim to being the oldest and one of the longest continually operating breweries in the United States. By using an eclectic mix of vintage barrels, reclaimed wood, exposed ceiling, neon signs, new technology and modern exhibits, The Brew House will bring Genesee’s story alive for generations to come.
About Hedonist Artisan Chocolates
Hedonist Artisan Chocolates hand crafts truffles and chocolate treats with French chocolate and fresh, natural ingredients. Each piece of Hedonist chocolate has its own character because it is rolled, cut, dipped and decorated by human hands in small batches. A hedonist is someone whose life is devoted to the pursuit of sensual pleasures. Owner Jennifer Posey and the staff find bliss in chocolate and hope to help you do the same.
Hedonist Artisan Chocolates are available for purchase at the retail location at 674 South Avenue or online at www.hedonistchocolates.com. For more information about Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, visitwww.hedonistchocolates.com or call (585) 461-2815.
About The Genesee Brewery
Slated for the summer of 2016, the Genesee Brewing Company will begin the first phase of a five- year plan to create an Eco-Brewery District. Phase one includes a $39 million investment to modernize the brewery and create one of the most advanced brewing systems in the world. Combining modern innovation with the experience and heritage of New York State’s oldest brewery, Genesee will create a world class destination for beer and brewing on St. Paul Street in Rochester, New York.
Established in 1878, the Genesee Brewery Company makes the classic Genesee line of beers, the Original Honey Brown Lager, as well as Seagram’s Escapes. The Genesee Brewery Company also manufactures beer and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages under contracts on behalf of other companies. For more information visit www.geneseebeer.com.
Always drink responsibly.