Chocolate Ale brewed by Boulevard Brewing - Kansas City, Missouri  

One of the brightest stars in a city filled with culinary treasures, Christopher Elbow has been handcrafting masterpieces in chocolate for more than ten years. In that time the reputation of his artistic delicacies has spread around the globe. Elbow’s sweets are distinguished by their use of unusual and sometimes surprising flavors and ingredients; in that adventurous spirit we joined forces to bring you a very special Chocolate Ale.
In developing this beer, Elbow and Boulevard brewmaster Steven Pauwels sought to harmonize the interplay of chocolate and malt, with each supporting and enhancing, but not overwhelming, the other. Just the right chocolate was essential. Elbow recommended a rare variety from the Dominican Republic, prized for its robust flavor and aroma, and a personal favorite. More than a mere flavoring, the chocolate — in the form of nibs, or crushed, roasted beans – was incorporated into the brewing process itself.
     

    
Beer Review by Beer Advocate
Appearance - Burnt Orange / Pumpkin in color...more bubbles than most ale style beers...not much head on a careful pour...no substantial head remains after first taste

Aroma - Creamy smooth, but more caramel to the nose. Only subtle chocolate undertones. Not as much chocolate as anticipated...and that's a good thing.

Taste - Carmel washes over the tongue similar to other american strong ale styles and fades into subtle chocolate bliss. I was concerned the chocolate would be overbearing, and this was certainly not the case. Unlike Young's Double Chocolate Stout, the flavor is less pronounced. 
 

Mouthfeel - Much more carbonated than anticipated and a little more than I would have liked. Very crisp considering the breed and flavor. However, at 9.1%, the warming of the mouth on a cold winter's day is a welcomed and pleasant sensation.

Overall:This is a highly sought after, limited batch brew that will most likely sell out in a week or less in the KC metro area. Christopher Elbow is a local artisan chocolateur that teamed up with Kansas City's hometown brewery, Boulavard, to make one of the best chocolate ales ever made.

  
 
Boulevard Brewing Company
Founded in 1989, Boulevard Brewing Company has grown to become the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest. Our mission is simple: to produce fresh, flavorful beers using the finest traditional ingredients and the best of both old and new brewing techniques. Boulevard beers, known for their full flavor, distinctive character, and unsurpassed quality, are currently available throughout Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Massachusetts with partial distribution in Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Texas, and Utah. The GABF® Gold Medal-winning Unfiltered Wheat Beer remains our most popular offering. An easy-drinking American-style wheat beer, Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat is the best-selling craft beer in the Midwest.