By Amy Strauss & Jim Breslin
On Tap is a regular column featuring our recommendations on the most unique new draft beer offerings from local pubs.
Our Recommendation: Stoudt’s 2X Chocolate Porter
Where: Ron’s Original Bar and Grille, Route 113, Lionville, PA
Ron’s Original Bar & Grille hosted “An Evening with Carol Stoudt of Stoudt’s Brewery” on Wed. night, Sept. 13 and this beer dinner was a reason to break open bottles of Stoudt’s 2X Chocolate Porter (please excuse us as this week’s brew is not officially “ on tap”).
The Stoudt’s pairing dinner, organized by West Chester Beer Ladies, allowed females the opportunity to spend the evening with both beer sweethearts, Carol and Jodi Stoudt. The duo kindly came slinging various styles of beer from their Adamstown-based brewery, including their Oktoberfest, Gold Lager, Scarlet Lady and 2X Chocolate Porter — which we all sampled while the industry’s heavy-hitters discussed pairing techniques, the company’s history and tips for cooking with beer.
Stoudt’s Brewing Co., founded in 1987 by Carol and her husband Eddie, became an immediate hit with their first release, the Gold Lager. Fashioned after Munich-styled Helles, the beer has received endless amounts of praise for being one of the finest German-styled beers in America. Following their ground-shaking debut, they then gravitated toward amber beers and like many similar breweries, continued to grow by throwing big-bottle and seasonal releases into the mix.
Since, as Carol revealed, “Adamstown has fabulous water,” it must be said that the local German-focused brewery does not make a bad beer. But, the winner of the night, and this column’s subject, is their 2X Chocolate Porter.
Jodi & Carol Stoudt with WC Beer Ladies Founder and President
Part of the Brewer’s Reserve Series, our evening’s closer poured a medium-bodied dark brown with a long-lasting beige head. As prepped by Jodi, it is important when drinking any new-to-you beer to “take a sip, swirl it around in your mouth and then, swallow.” First tastes hinted at roasty malts, hazelnut and coffee, while continued sips brought to light a mild, yet bitter cocoa finish.
“For me, the Chocolate Porter is a rich, dark chocolatey dream kissed with a licorice ending. It’s a beer to be savored, and it was paired perfectly with the Chocolate Pot (mousse) dessert,” said Nina Malone, beer connoisseur and member of the WC Beer Ladies.
While the 2X Chocolate Porter may be harder to find than some other brews we have mentioned in On Tap, feel free to regularly head over to BeerMenus.com and scout out who is offering up the beauty. But, in the meantime, follow Carol’s advice and always “enhance your dinner parties with beer!”
Also, be sure to follow along with Jodi’s firkin adventures via Stoudt’s Brewery’s Twitter. She is a complete mad scientist when she brews up the Stoudt’s one-offs, including firkins of Roasted Carrot, Dill Pickle and Gingerbread.
More information on Stoudt’s Brewing Company is available by visiting stoudtsbeer.com.
