Braxton Brewing’s Dark Charge Winter Party is returning for a ninth time, setting the stage for the annual release of the Covington brewery’s Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout.
This year, Braxton collaborated with meetNKY, Northern Kentucky’s tourism bureau, and the B Line, a collection of Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour distilleries, bars and restaurants, to put on the event.
The block party will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. and takes place at Braxton’s flagship location at 27 W. 7th St. in Covington. Braxton will also launch several limited-edition Dark Charge variants, which have already dropped for online pre-sale.
“Braxton takes great pride in being a Kentucky brewing company. Dark Charge, the company’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, is a love letter to Kentucky’s unbridled spirit,” said Braxton co-founder and CEO Jake Rouse in a press release.
In addition, Braxton Brewing and The B-Line will host “STAVE: A Night in the Dark” to kick off the brewery’s annual Dark Charge Winter Block Party.
The 7-course, ticketed event celebrates the intersection of beer and bourbon by combining Braxton Brewing Company’s Dark Charge Barrel Aged Imperial Stout and New Riff Distillery hand-crafted bourbon. Attendees will get access to seven courses from restaurants along The B-Line including courses from Bouquet, Coppin’s, Smoke Justis, Lisse, Rich’s Proper and Pompilio’s.
“This event is the perfect intersection of two of the many arts that our region has perfected – brewing beer and distilling bourbon,” said meetNKY President and CEO, Julie Kirkpatrick. “The creativity of the business owners in our region is part of what continues to make the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati region a top destination for visitors at a national level. Our team is excited to introduce fans of Dark Charge to the art of America’s native spirit through this new, unique culinary experience highlighting some amazing stops along The B-Line.”
STAVE will take the place of the Block Party on Friday, Dec. 1. Attendees of the inaugural event will be the first to taste the Dark Charge variants this year before they’re released broadly to the public.
Each course will be paired with one of Braxton Brewing’s Dark Charge Barrel Aged Imperial Stout variants and a signature New Riff Cocktail to elevate the flavor profiles of each dish. Exclusive entertainment and behind-the-scenes offerings will be available to STAVE guests. Tickets are $195.
Dark Charge Variants
In 2023, Braxton plans to release seven variants of its beloved Dark Charge. So far, the
brewery has announced and released for sale:
Cuvée: A Barrel Aged Dark Charge Imperial Stout that’s a blend of 2019, 2020, and 2022 base vintages. It features stone fruit aromas blended with coffee and roast notes.
Barleywine: Aged in New Riff bourbon barrels, Barleywine features flavors like symphony of flavors like toffee and toasted coconut.
Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout with Peanut Butter – For the first time, Dark
Charge is infused with peanut butter.
Mole: Base barrel-aged stout features cinnamon, ancho chilies, vanilla beans and cocoa nibs.
Vino: A beer-wine hybrid that mixes a stout with California Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in
Bourbon Barrels.
Donut Box: Each Imperial Stout can is layered with flavors to mimic a raspberry jelly filled, Boston cream, and chocolate frosted donut.
Bourbon Cream: Dark Charge Imperial Stout is blended with bourbon cream.
Entertainment Lineup
Dark Charge Winter Block Party not only offers a day of bourbon, beer but also live
music featuring local touring artists. The full lineup includes:
DJ Jay Kay: Performing all day.
Tracy Walker: 3 – 5 p.m.
Zeb South and the Ky Hotheads: 6 – 8 p.m.
Jeremy Short: 9 – 11 p.m.
Food
Braxton worked with seven local food vendors like Dewey’s Pizza, The Well and Coppin’s to create meals that pair with the event.
For more information, visit darkchargeday.com.
