Oskar Blues Brewery Brings Death by Coconut Irish Porter Back To Life

The insanely epic seasonal brew marries flavors of bittersweet cacao and creamy coconut; asserts that beer is the perfect dessert; and invites believers to join the Death by Coconut Irish Porter Cult this season. The 6.5% ABV porter will be nationally distributed in 4-packs of 12oz cans starting in early October.

“No false advertising here – it’s as straightforward a chocolate-and-coconut beer as it gets,” said Juice Drapeau, Head Brewer at the Oskar Blues pilot brewery in Lyons. “The chocolate-y malt flavors and coconut aroma and flavor are nicely balanced, and it’s not as viscous as a stout, which makes it more palatable.”

Death by Coconut Irish Porter was originally brewed as a small batch collaboration with Shamrock Brewing in 2014 and went on to earn a silver medal at GABF in the chocolate beer category. At that point, increased demand challenged brewers to find innovative ways to accentuate the rich chocolate flavor while increasing consistency and stability for distribution of the cult favorite outside of the taproom.

Boulder-based Cholaca provided the answer to the chocolate question. The product is made from three ingredients – water, cacao and coconut sugar – and allows brewers to give beer a rich, smooth chocolate flavor by adding liquid chocolate (cacao emulsified in water) rather than using cacao nibs or powders. Plus, the cacao is sourced directly from farmers and co-ops in Ecuador that utilize regenerative farming practices.

“Now Cholaca is in over 700 breweries, in 50 states including Canada, in 15 countries, including Australia. That volume gives us the ability to import quality cacao. It helps us get the great stuff,” said Cholaca founder Ira Leibtag. “Without the great stuff, we end up with GMO and preservative-infiltrated product… and ruined rainforests.”