By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published May 10, 2018 at 4:01 PM

In celebration of the first anniversary of Pabst's return to Milwaukee, the brewing company will be releasing a very special new beer.

And, if you love chocolate, you’re likely to enjoy this easy-drinking summer sipper, which has a flavor profile reminiscent of chocolate cake, or – some might say – Tootsie Rolls.

Unlike a big, bold chocolate stout that's best drunk on a frigid winter evening, Name Day Chocolate Ale is a brown ale brewed with Ghana cocoa nibs, hull melon hops and Pabst house ale yeast. With an ABV of 4.5 percent and an IBU of 12, it’s a true "session beer" with a sturdy construction and a nose that’s reminiscent of chocolate birthday cake.

Brewed on March 28, the birthday of Captain Frederick Pabst, the Name Day beer will be released to the public for the first time at the upcoming Pabst Street Festival on Saturday, May 19 from noon to 7 p.m.

The beer will be available by the glass in the Pabst Milwaukee Brewery tap room. A limited number of special-edition, 1-quart crowlers that can be taken home also will be available for purchase on May 19. 

Following the anniversary celebration, the Name Day Chocolate Ale will also be available on draft at a variety of Milwaukee and Madison bars and restaurants, including Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub, 1203 N. 10th St.

Also on the docket

IPA fans will be happy to note that Pabst is releasing a Belgo IPA as part of their Pabst World IPA Series. The easy-to-drink beer, which sports a Belgian Triple base with European hops, will officially launch in June. But we have it on good authority that if you visit the Pabst Milwaukee Taproom now, you might just be able to get an early taste.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.