After much anticipation and numerous fan requests, two versions of Barrel Aged Xocoveza Mocha Stout were released yesterday (June 26) by Stone Brewing Company. Xocoveza Extra Añejo and Xocoveza Charred were released at all Stone Brewing Company Stores. 500ml bottles were available on a first come, first served basis while supplies lasted. Xocoveza fans were thrilled!

Xocoveza Mocha Stout is based on homebrewer Chris Banker’s winning entry of Stone Brewery’s 2014 American Hombrewers Association-sanctioned homebrew competition. The beer is an intensely flavorful milk stout brewed with coffee and spices to mimic the rich flavors of Mexican hot chocolate.

Xocoveza Mocha Stout was commercially produced (with minor collaborative adaptations by Stone Brewing and Cervecería Insurgente) and released in 2014. Chris Banker/Stone/Insurgente Xocoveza (pronounced SHO-CO-VAY-ZA) Mocha Stout sold out quickly.

After its release, beer critics raved about Xocoveza Mocha Stout. Draft Magazine named it one of the top 25 beers of 2014. RateBeer gave the beer an overall score of 100 out of a possible 100. Beer Advocate rated Xocoveza as World Class.

In April, I published a conversation with Chris Banker. You can read that article by clicking here.

Barrel Aged Xocoveza Mocha Stout Descriptions

Barrel Aged Xocoveza’s release was published on Stone Brewing Company’s event calendar. Here’s a summary of Stone Brewing Company’s descriptions:

XOCOVEZA EXTRA AÑEJO

BREWED: July 19 & November 11, 2014

AGED: In French Oak Extra Añejo Tequila Barrels that previously held Bordeaux Wine

CELLAR NOTES: We were so smitten with the initial batch aged in extra añejo tequila barrels that we brought in more barrels and brewed more beer specifically to fill them. The barrels smelled amazing, with aromas of vanilla crème brulée, dulce de leche and tequila. The result is both satisfyingly expected and surprising at the same time: Sweet caramel-like flavors, black pepper, vanilla and tequila notes meld seamlessly with the spice, roasted coffee and chocolate flavors of the base beer for a richly intense experience.

XOCOVEZA CHARRED

BREWED: November 12, 2014

AGED: 7 Months in American Oak Kentucky Bourbon Barrels

CELLAR NOTES: Time spent in bourbon barrels gave an already complex beer even more complexity and flavor intensity, layering additional caramel-like and vanilla flavors on top of those already present. Aromas of rich coffee and dark chocolate are followed by nutmeg and cinnamon  a lush, heavy mouth-feel laden with charred oak and toffee engulfs the palate on the first sip. Lingering pasilla pepper and soft oak flavors persist through an exceptionally long finish in this intensely rich and satisfying beer.  

Getting My Barrel Aged Xocoveza Mocha Stout

I traveled to the Stone Oceanside Store and arrived about 30 minutes before opening where a line of excited Xocoveza fans had already formed.

Once the doors opened, bottles were scooped up quickly.

Fortunately there were still bottles for me. (Later that night I heard an unverified rumor that the Oceanside store sold out shortly after I left.)

So far I have only tried the Xocoveza Charred. The intense chocolate and coffee aroma left me spellbound. The thick mouth-feel almost distracted me from the rich flavors of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, oak, and very mild pepper. As much as I enjoyed it, I think Xocoveza Charred will improve with aging in my cellar. I look forward to opening a bottle every year for a while.

If you can still find Barrel Aged Xocoveza Mocha Stout, I highly recommend buying some bottles for your beer cellar!