Beer of the week: Dark Persuasion, Icicle Brewing Company
Published 1:34 pm Friday, January 22, 2016
Dark Persuasion
Icicle Brewing Company, Leavenworth
Style: German Chocolate Cake Ale, or porter
Stats: 6.5 percent ABV, 22 IBU
Available: Year-round, 22-ounce bottles
My thoughts: It’s always fun to go over to a friend’s house, watch him open the fridge and have him ask if you’d like to try a beer — something new.
On a recent visit to my friend Josh’s place, he pulled a bottle of this beer out of the deep recesses of his fridge. We cracked it and poured the dark brown liquid into a pair of pint glasses, then sat back to enjoy.
The first thing that hits you is the coffee and roasty quality that makes it a porter. But soon to follow is a sweetness that gives the beer its name: German Chocolate Cake Ale. It’s a sweetness that tastes like coconut and chocolate and it’s not shy.
This is a very rich beer and is often described, for good reason, as a dessert beer. I wouldn’t suggest having this beer with food. It doesn’t have a big ABV, but I’d say the best way to enjoy this beer is with a friend.
Another thing I really liked about this beer is the artwork on the bottle. Icicle rebranded a few years ago, and the striking paintings on the labels are reminiscent of those vintage National Parks posters. The Dark Persuasion bottle has a beautiful purplish-hued painting of a backcountry skier between a pair of peaks.
From the brewery: Delicate dark chocolate with a whisper of coconut … You know you want it, go ahead and indulge. You can finally have German chocolate cake and drink it too. There’s no need to be nervous, it’s just wickedly deep and full of flavor and desire. With its provocative aroma and smooth body, this is certainly the darkest of 50 shades of risque.
Aaron Swaney writes about craft beer for The Herald. Reach him at thespiltpint@gmail.com and follow him at @swaney_aaron79.
