Original art by Mark Valentine
Kansas City has any number of annual events that are anticipated by anxious fans…
The list is impressively long, which makes for a great town. The Royals season opener, Plaza Lighting, American Royal, St. Patrick’s Day Parade all make that list. And there’s a new one starting this week: Boulevard Beer is starting to deliver its seasonal Chocolate Ale today.
It kicks off today with kegs in restaurants and bars. And later this week bottles of Chocolate Ale will make it to local liquor stores.
I can only imagine and admire the genius that combined Kansas City’s favorite hometown beer with another local favorite, Christopher Elbow chocolate. Mankind has come up with many inventions, but none of them go with Valentine’s Day and pizza like this.
Whoever thought of it is the Einstein of Kansas City culture.
Why do people line up for this beer?
It is the taste? Is it the marketing? Is it something more spiritual? Many believe that Chocolate Ale is a clear sign that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
But it wasn’t planned like this, it was meant to be a one-time production – a one-off label. Then it became its own entity. This week, switchboards will be jammed. Parking spaces will be filled with buyers looking for that limited opportunity to go home with a bottle.
It’s like an urban version of Deer Season.
In another four years, we may see a new parade or additional seasonal merchandise like greeting cards wishing us Happy Chocolate Ale Season.
You can believe what you want, I believe I’ll have another beer.
how crazy. Great marketing..great p.r. and most importantly agreat concept
that will change the world.
really…who cares? If it tastes good it will last. If it tastes bad it’s gone.
will be interested to see what Wilson thinks about it since he’s the
liquor expert on kcc.
good luck boys….
Was spending a long weekend, about a year ago this time, at the downtown Marriott. They had it in the lobby bar, I never had it so I tried a glass. Almost undrinkable. I don’t get the hype, unless its like when people from MO drove to KS to get Coors in the old days…… too much hype, not enough substance.
Dad told me about the olden days when liquor and beer tasted good. Before Prohibition discovered people would drink pantherpiss if it was all they could get.
Of course they get $44-a-bottle for PBR in China so what do I know?
ditto. part of the allure was its exclusivity. but like you, I found the taste off-kilter. not worth the hype, imo.
you’ve got to acquire the taste Wilson which can never be done.
and not only did people from mo. drive to Kansas to get coors
piss water but they drove from Chicago/Atlanta/penn/Illinois/Michigan/
ohio to buy that nasty tasting beer.
My palette tells me chocolate does not belong in beer.
However, I’d slap a newborn for a bottle of Tank 7 right now.
I could go for some Tallgrass Oasis right now. It’s too bad they stopped brewing it.
Finally having my first tastes right now,mark
Not bad. Kinda fun.
I doubt that it would make it as a stand alone beer.
But as a seasonal spark, I say bring on the Hallmark cards!
Except, who buys a greeting card anymore?