UPDATED! This post has been updated to include information about the public pickup option. Public pickup and shipping of Chocolate Rain begins on Monday, April 4.

Chocolate Rain began as a single cask of beer at the first Black Tuesday release event at The Bruery in 2009. For nearly two years, the legend and pent up demand for this revered imperial stout, aged in bourbon barrels with cacao nibs and vanilla beans, continued to grow. In 2011, that enthusiasm was bottled up, wax-dipped and released exclusively to members of The Bruery Reserve Society.

We have since drizzled Chocolate Rain to members of our beer Societies over the years. In 2017, there’s not only a chance of rain in select circles. In fact, this March, it’s going to pour for all. Today, we’re pleased to announce the details surrounding the first ever public release of Chocolate Rain, taking place on Friday, March 24, 2017.

About the Beer

Chocolate Rain is a decadent version of our bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout, featuring cacao nibs from TCHO and fresh vanilla beans. Rich in chocolate, vanilla, oak and bourbon, it truly puts the “imperial” in imperial stout. The 2017 edition is 19.6% ABV. An ideal beer to share, it pairs rather well with cacao nib gelato, Sartori Peppermint BellaVitano cheese, roasted pecans, cocoa chili-rubbed tenderloin and a memorable song. Over a year in the making, each 750 mL. bottle is wax-dipped and retails for $39.99.

Public Sale Details

The public sale will take place on Friday, March 24 at or around 10:00 a.m. PT on TheBrueryStore.com and at our Tasting Rooms (The Bruery Tasting Room and Bruery Terreux Tasting Room) upon opening at noon. Special, limited edition merchandise will also be available. There is a three bottle limit per person. All sales are first-come, first-served.

Members of our Reserve Society and Hoarders Society will enjoy early, guaranteed access – and the highest number of bottles available to them for purchase, at their Society discount – during an allocations period that begins on Monday, March 6. Members of the Preservation Society will enjoy guaranteed access to three bottles of Chocolate Rain (2017) starting on Tuesday, March 14. Space is currently available to join the Preservation Society if you don’t want to leave your acquisition of this limited release to chance on the day of the public sale.

UPDATED: Options for Getting Bottles in-Hand

Pickup from The Bruery

The option to pickup beer is an ongoing perk of Society membership. However, pickup is available to the public for purchases of Chocolate Rain. Public pickup (at 741 Dunn Way in Placentia, CA) and shipping of Chocolate Rain begins on Monday, April 3. You may specify someone to pickup the beer on your behalf (in the “Trustee” box at checkout). Bottles of Chocolate Rain not picked up by public purchasers by June 30, 2017 will be considered forfeit.

Ship Within California

Shipping is available (for an additional fee), only in California, through Golden State Overnight. An adult, 21 years of age or older, must be present to receive and sign for the delivery. Public shipping begins on Monday, April 3. If you live out-of-state, you can designate an individual to receive your shipment of beer on your behalf while checking out. Hopefully a friend or family member in the country’s most populated state can help you out! Merchandise is shipped via USPS throughout the country.

Purchase Directly at our Tasting Rooms

Bottles will be available to purchase first-come, first-served at both The Bruery Tasting Room and Bruery Terreux Tasting Room upon opening at noon on Friday, March 24. Chocolate Rain (and other treats) will also be available on tap for in-house consumption.

Pickup for Society Members

Society members enjoy the perk of climate-controlled storage and pickup of online purchases from our Society Fulfillment Center. Reserve and Hoarders Society members have until February 28, 2018 to pickup purchases from the 2017 calendar year. Preservation Society members have until June 30, 2017 to pickup any purchases made during the first quarter of 2017, including Chocolate Rain (2017) purchased this March.

Consider joining the Preservation Society to enjoy these perks and more. Membership includes a number of other benefits, including the specially curated First Quarter Preservation Society package with three included beers at 10% off the retail value. Join now and receive the following near the end of March:

1. Mocha Wednesday (2017)
our bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout with coffee and cacao nibs

2. A limited, experimental beer from The Bruery
to be announced later this week (keep an eye onThe Bruery Facebook page for the post!)

3. Beret with Peaches and Vanilla
an imperial sour witbier with spices aged in oak with raspberries, peaches and vanilla from Bruery Terreux

Additional information about the Preservation Society is available here.

At A Glance

• Date: Friday, March 24, 2017
• Where: TheBrueryStore.com and The Bruery Tasting Room and Bruery Terreux Tasting Room
• When: 10:00 a.m. on TheBrueryStore.com; 12:00 p.m. at our Tasting Rooms
• Limit: Three bottles per person (first-come, first-served)
• Retail price: $39.99 plus tax, shipping (if applicable)

Cheers to a 100% chance of rain!

Details subject to change. All stated times are PT.

If, for any reason the sale is not capable of running as planned, including, without limitation, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of The Bruery, which, in The Bruery’s sole determination, corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this sale, The Bruery reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the sale. Participants agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Bruery from any and all liability arising out of or relating in any way to customers’ participation and to release all rights to bring any claim, action or proceeding against The Bruery. The Bruery reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any person they suspect or find: (i) to have tampered with the process or the operation; (ii) to be acting in a disruptive manner, or with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person; (iii) or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules. Any violation of these Official Rules will result in such person’s disqualification. ANY ATTEMPT BY ANY PERSON TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE BRUERY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEY‘S FEES) FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

The post This March’s forecast: a 100% chance of Chocolate Rain appeared first on The Bruery.