Brewing in the FLX: Chocolate Salted Caramel Stout

By David Diehl

At this point, it feels like there is no stone unturned by the Finger Lakes brewing community. And yet, these talented brewers continue to excite the beer drinker with new flavors, new combinations, and, most importantly, new collaborations. 

Just in time for the holiday season, Peacemaker Brewing Co. of Canandaigua, and WeBe Brewing located in Geneva, have teamed up to produce a Chocolate Sea Salted Caramel Stout. These collabs not only blend flavor, but they blend communities. 

“When Finger Lakes’ breweries collaborate, the result is great because as people visit the Peacemaker tasting room, and see that we have a guest beer on tap or have brewed with WeBe brewing, they will ask us the location of those breweries,” explains Peacemaker owner Todd Reardon. “The guest taps and collaborations push people their way, and vice versa. It definitely helps each business and brings attention to the breweries in the region.”

Dan Lieberg, Co-owner and brewer at WeBe, asserts the same sentiment: “It’s really great to work with another local brewery in order to build both of our brands. It is a team effort to bring new and exciting beers to the Finger Lakes.”

Both companies are excited about the caramel notes that were achieved in their malt roasting process.

“There are different malts out there, that when you roast them, it brings out the caramel notes,” says Lieberg. “It really is understanding the malts, and realizing how you can bring out the flavor notes to the consumer’s palate. “

Adding to the caramel flavor profile, the brewing tag team added plenty of chocolate and sea salt to the brewing process, producing a sweet and savory effect on top of a creamy mouthfeel.

Consumers can snatch it up at both breweries: At WeBe it is available in four-packs, and Peacemaker is offering it in custom crowlers.

Peacemaker Brewing Co.

39 Coach St, Canandaigua, NY 14424

WeBe Brewing Company

796 Pre Emption Rd, Geneva, NY 14456

It was always a goal for David Diehl to return to the Finger Lakes and make an imprint on the beer culture of the region. A Hobart & William Smith Colleges graduate, Diehl spent over a decade in Brooklyn and is excited to be back and taking on Finger Lakes craft beer reviews and commentaries for EdibleFingerLakes.com.  He has also been published in Inked Magazine, YRB Magazine, Nerve.com, and The Finger Lakes Times. You can follow his work at FLXWORDS.com.