Brewpub revisits the popular beer that gives a nod to a flavor of the Southwest
DURANGO, Colo. – Anticipating the “chilly” days of autumn, Steamworks Brewing Co. will reprise the flavorsome “Molé Stout” for its monthly showcase of unique hand-crafted beers: Firkin Fridays. The keg will be tapped at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018.
The Molé Stout firkin evokes the essence of chocolate traditional in the Mexican molé sauce.
“We’re revisiting the Molé Stout brew as it’s very timely in the season of chilies,” said Ken Martin, Steamworks director of brewing operations. “We were also very excited to incorporate local chilies grown by Steamworks’ Culinary Team Member Chris Bissonette.”
The base of the firkin is Steamworks’ award-winning Backside Stout, a moderately hopped dark beer, with a complex malt and oat flavor – sweet with chocolate and roast overtones. According to Martin, the addition of just the right amount of brewer’s oats is detectable in the smooth, silky finish.
“I made a sauce out of a blend of four different chilies,” said Martin. “Then added pure cocoa powder, cinnamon and a bit of Mexican oregano.”
“There are many interpretations of the traditional sauce, and this is ours,” added Brewer Spencer Roper. “It should work in harmony with the chocolate, caramel and toasty flavors of our Backside Stout. Perfect for the cool days of autumn.”
By definition, a firkin is an old English unit of volume,typically a wooden cask equal to approximately one-quarter of a regular barrel, or nine/ten gallons. The word “firkin” is derived from the Middle Dutch word vierdekijn, which means “fourth” as in one-fourth the size.
In the United Kingdom, cask-conditioned beer, which in the U.S. is also referred to as a firkin, is known as “real ale.” Authentic cask ale must be kept at “cellar temperature” – about 54 degrees – and is conditioned in its cask in Steamworks’ “cellar,” or actually the basement at the brewpub.
In cask conditioning, the yeast transforms the sugar into alcohol within the cask, and the natural carbonation results from the trapped carbon dioxide occurring as a byproduct. Firkin beer is unpasteurized and unfiltered and served at the cellar temperature – cool but not cold.
Steamworks initiated its Firkin Fridays to introduce unusual, specialty craft beers to patrons, and augment its regular, award-winning offerings. Open 11 a.m. to closing seven days a week, Steamworks is located at 801 E. Second. Ave., Durango
