Update, October 29, 2021: I confess. I'm not really a beer girl, and I'm even less of a dark beer girl. So when I got the chance to try the Yuengling and Hershey's Chocolate Porter, I knew it had a lot to overcome before I even popped the top off.
As 2021 marks the third year of the collaboration between the chocolate brand and beer company, I assumed they had to be doing something right. I mean, they wouldn't be bringing it back if people weren't buying it, right?
And a little background on me—I was born very close to Hersheypark, so as a kid, my parents would take me there often. One memory that really sticks out is the Chocolate World Factory Tour, specifically the part where you watch melted chocolate pouring into big stainless steel containers. The smell of all that liquid chocolate was imprinted on my brain long ago, scent having the strongest memory recall of the senses.
My 3-year-old self reawakened as soon as I opened the Chocolate Porter, as the subtle scent of cocoa rolled out. That was the best part of the whole drinking experience, honestly. The taste isn't bad by any means, but I don't really get much chocolate when actually drinking it. And as established, I'm not exactly a huge dark beer connoisseur, but the porter also didn't really taste like a porter or stout. It doesn't have that rich maltiness a normal dark beer has—which actually made me like it more, because that's not a flavor I love.
In conclusion, it's the kind of beer I want to drink around a fire outside. The weather is cold, but the intense heat from the flames is making you hot, so you need a cold one to cool you down. This is the beer I'm reaching for!
Original Post, September 28, 2021: For some people, it’s pumpkin spice lattes that make them embrace the fall spirit. Gripping a to-go cup, walking around a park with that certain chill in the air, a crunch or two of leaves underfoot all mean autumn is here.
For others, it’s transitioning from light summer ales to dark porters and stouts while trading out the T-shirt and bathing suit or denim and flannels. Luckily a perfect beer to get you into the spooky season is back on shelves. Yuengling and Hershey’s are partnering once again to bring you the Chocolate Porter for the third year in a row.
The brew takes Yuengling’s Dark Brewed Porter and combines it with the classic Hershey’s chocolate. Think notes of caramel and dark roasted malts for a smooth chocolaty finish. It’ll go well with smoked meats, cheeses, or desserts. The beer will be available while supplies last at retailers in 23 states. To find the closest location to you, visit Yuengling’s website.
To celebrate their third release of the chocolate porter, Yuengling is hosting a “Scary Delicious Tour.” During the first week of October, fans can learn where the truck “might resurrect before moving on to the next location,” according to the press release. It will be stopping at “the most iconic haunted Halloween destinations in its beloved home of Pennsylvania as well as surprising several Yuengling Hershey's Chocolate Porter super fans with a special delivery, directly to their front steps.”
