Media Contact:
Hillary Lake
hlake@wordsworthweb.com
541.915.3736
Bold Brews and Moves:
Braxton Brewing Unveils 2025 Dark Charge Variants Featuring a Skyline Chili Collaboration
Covington, KY – November 19, 2025 – This winter season, Braxton Brewing Company, a Northern Kentucky-based craft brewery, is making history and elevating tradition with its most ambitious Dark Charge release yet. The 2025 variant releases will headline the Dark Charge Winter Block Party, happening Saturday, December 6th on 7th street and Braxton’s Covington taproom.
For over a decade, Dark Charge has been a hallmark of Braxton Brewing’s innovation—a massive, bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout that delivers depth, complexity and character. This year’s line-up features brand-new variants, creative collaborations and indulgent flavors, designed to surprise and delight, including Skyline Chili Spice, a collaboration with Cincinnati’s legendary Skyline Chili.
2025 Dark Charge Variants
Limited quantities of the Dark Charge Variants will be available for online pre-sale beginning Friday, November 21 at noon EST.
Dark Charge Imperial Age Stout
Our base 2025 Barrel-Aged Dark Charge features a blend of multiple vintages, curating the perfect cuvée, from 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025. Showcasing rich aromas of stone fruits like plums, this beer beautifully pairs with bold notes of coffee and roast. The bourbon barrel aging introduces smooth layers of vanilla, toffee, and caramel, enhancing its depth and complexity. These flavors meld seamlessly with the beer’s robust, velvety mouthfeel, creating a perfect harmony between the stout’s roasted malt character and the delicate essence of bourbon and oak.
Pre-sales start Friday, November 21 at noon EST.
Dark Charge Cookie Butter
This bourbon barrel–aged imperial stout is pure Biscoff bliss. We’ve taken the nostalgia of the iconic cookie and amplified it with caramelized malt, brown sugar, vanilla, and warm baking spice, all rounded by rich toasted oak. Bold, silky, and irresistibly spiced, every sip lands with the same cozy sweetness as that perfect cookie crunch.
Pre-sales start Friday, November 21 at noon EST.
Dark Charge Crème Brûlée
This bourbon barrel–aged stout showcases indulgence in every sip. Rich vanilla bean, toasted caramel, and silky custard collide with warm bourbon, charred oak, and a hint of dark chocolate. Lush, velvety, and unmistakably decadent, it finishes with a lingering caramelized sweetness and a subtle roasted depth that keeps you coming back for more.
Pre-sales start Friday, November 21 at noon EST.
Dark Charge Chocolate Buckeye
This bourbon barrel–aged imperial stout channels the nostalgic magic of a Buckeye candy — that perfect harmony of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter. Deep roasted malts meet layers of cocoa, vanilla, and bourbon-kissed caramel, all wrapped in a velvety texture. Decadent, bold, and dessert-driven, it finishes with a silky peanut butter sweetness and warming bourbon depth that makes every sip feel irresistible.
Pre-sales start Friday, November 21 at noon EST.
Cobbler Box
From barrel to crust, our Cobbler Series takes inspiration from the classic southern dessert where slow-simmered fruit, warm spice, and rich sweetness come together in perfect harmony. This Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout blends dessert decadence with deep roasted character, serving up a sip that’s as comforting as a cobbler fresh from the oven. Flavors of cobbler in the box feature:
Peach Cobbler
Blackberry Cobbler
Cherry Cobbler
Pre-sales start Monday, November 24 at noon EST
Skyline Chili Spice
This bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout is our love letter to the Queen City’s most iconic dish — capturing unmistakable Skyline Chili spirit in every sip. Rich layers of barrel-aged stout meet a touch of Skyline spice for a Cincinnati comfort classic with a kick. Each box comes with a can of Skyline Chili, making it the perfect gift for the Holiday Season!
Pre-sales start Tuesday, November 25 at noon EST.
For more information and to secure your bottles, visit https://braxtonbrewing.com/pages/dark-charge-day
“Dark Charge has always been about pushing boundaries while honoring tradition,” said Jake Rouse, Co-Founder and CEO of Braxton Brewing Company. “This year, we’re taking that spirit to the next level with bold new variants like Skyline Chili Spice—the very first beer ever crafted with Skyline. It’s a true milestone for both brands and a celebration of the community that has supported Dark Charge for over a decade. We can’t wait to see how fans enjoy the Cincinnati Two Way”
Celebrate the Season at the Winter Block Party
Join Braxton for a day of festivities—December 6th—as attendees raise a glass to Kentucky’s legacy and the stout that started it all. There’s no admission charge for the general event. Fans can pick up their pre-ordered Dark Charge bottles on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Food and beverages are available and sold separately. Enjoy live music, Food, and the collision of bourbon and beer at the BLINE Lounge with Cocktails by Molly Wellmann.
VIP tickets for this unique event are limited. VIP guests will also enjoy:
Seasonal culinary pairings from Dewey’s Pizza
Early Access to VIP bottle sales
Drink tickets & commemorative Dark Charge taster
For more information, and to purchase VIP tickets, visit https://braxtonbrewing.com/products/2025-dark-charge-day-vip-ticket
2025 STAVE Dinner: An Immersive Beer, Bourbon & Culinary Tasting
On Friday, the night before Dark Charge Day, we celebrate with STAVE – the city’ premier Beer and Bourbon dinner. This year’s STAVE trades the traditional seated dinner for an interactive tasting journey that celebrates the best in beer, bourbon and culinary craftsmanship. As part of the Dark Charge Winter Block Party, the dinner will be held on Friday, December 5 and is hosted by Cincinnati’s Own Cocktail Queen Molly Wellmann. Guests will enjoy:
Curated bourbon & beer pairings featuring Braxton’s barrel-aged specialties and select bourbons.
Chef-driven culinary creations designed to complement each pour.
An immersive, guided experience highlighting the stories behind the barrels, the brewing process, and flavor profiles.
Tickets are limited. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit https://braxtonbrewing.com/products/2024-stave-beer-and-bourbon-dinner-ticket-copy
Beer lovers are invited to raise a glass and #LIFTONETOLIFE with Braxton Brewing this winter season!
Editor’s Note: Photos of Skyline Chili Spice Dark Charge can be downloaded from this Dropbox for use on all media platforms.
###
About Braxton Brewing Co.
Born in a garage, Braxton Brewing Co. has grown into an entrepreneurial obsession fueled by craft, community, and connection. The garage wasn’t just a starting point — it was a proving ground for ideas, creativity, and the belief that beer can bring people together.
Founded by brothers Jake and Evan Rouse, Braxton is built on a fierce commitment to brewing excellence, with every pint held to the highest standard by a dedicated team. Today, the brewery remains rooted in Covington, Kentucky, expanding its reach across Greater Cincinnati with five taproom locations.
From that same garage-born ambition came Garage Beer — a crisp, no-nonsense lager that has since become a nationwide success. For more information, visit braxtonbrewing.com
About Skyline Chili Image
Since 1949, Skyline Chili’s Cheese Coneys, 3-Ways and fast table-side service have been enjoyed by families for generations. Skyline serves its signature products in 136 restaurants and grocery stores across the country.
Skyline is dedicated to bringing friends and families together for an experience like no other. Skyline is proud to be the official chili of the Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, and FC Cincinnati.
For further information, please visit skylinechili.com or follow Skyline on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or X (formerly known as Twitter).