By Shannon Maria Jones

Victory Brewing Company released its new coffee infused bourbon barrel stout called Java Cask last week.

Released on Thanksgiving-eve, a celebratory day dubbed Dark Wednesday by Victory Brewing Company, based on the frenetic level of pre-holiday purchasing of craft beer and hostess gifts, Java Cask is the fourth beer that has specifically and traditionally been created with this day in mind.

Java Cask is a collaborative effort commemorating the friendship of Philadelphia’s popular Standard Tap and Johnny Brenda’s restaurants. This bourbon barrel-aged beer is infused with hand-roasted JB’s Coffee to create a deeply complex chocolate malt-tinged stout.

Aged in bourbon barrels for six months, where it absorbed the blended flavors from the wood as well as the predecessor bourbon they once held, this rich and well-rounded brew weighs in at 14.3% ABV; the strongest beer Victory Brewing has produced to date.

Available in a limited run while supplies last, Java Cask is sold in 750mL bottles and can be purchased in bottle shops though Ohio, New Hampshire, Alabama and Georgia have ABV limitations, prohibiting its sale.

“Java Cask is a collaboration built on friendship. William Reed, and all our friends at Standard Tap and Johnny Brenda’s, have been terrific partners over the years and an integral part of Victory’s local success story,” said Victory Brewing’s President and Brewmaster, Bill Covaleski. “This is the perfect beer to share this holiday season, bringing friendships to life.”

“I couldn’t be happier with this beer,” said William Reed Standard Tap and Johnny Brenda’s Co-Owner and longtime home brewer. “Java Cask is a complex beer with bittersweet dark chocolate notes and an intriguing coffee aroma.  Way smoother and more drinkable than the 14% alcohol would suggest.”

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Shannon Maria Jones is co-founder of Dashing Rogue, LLC, “bringing back the dinner party” by providing customizable beer pairing dinners in your home. She hosts the weekly podcast, “Beer Mistress’s Microbrew Review” available on iTunes. Visit www.BeerMistress.com for her beer reviews, pairing tips, and recipes.

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