I almost didn’t go to Taco Mac. Truth be told, there were a lot of reasons to go, but it was one of those cold, dreary Mondays when you just want to stay home. Being a Monday, though, you get double credits on your Brewniversity journey at Taco Mac. Definitely a reason to go. For December, too, wings are just $1 each, up to 20. Absolutely a reason to go, as good as Taco Mac’s wings are.

Really, though, there was one reason that beat them all out: a chance to say goodbye to Rogue Nitro Chocolate Stout. I had had this beer here before, but with the recent credit reset Taco Mac did, I would get my two credits tonight. Even were that not the case, I would have ordered the beer. As you may know by now, Rogue closed their doors a few weeks ago.

I’m still coming to terms with this. Rogue was one of the original craft breweries, going all the way back to the nineties. Almost everywhere I have found myself on my craft journey, Rogue has been there. Now, they won’t be. That is very difficulty indeed, and hard on the heels of the loss of Anchor Brewing, 21^st Amendment, and locally, Jekyll. After Anchor, though, this one hits the hardest.

Normally, I wouldn’t add a separate entry for a nitro version of a beer (this is a nitro charged version of Rogue Chocolate Stout). This one, though, was always something special on tap, and tonight was no exception. It was sold in cans as well as on tap, and maybe you can find some before it is all gone.

Rogue says:

The addition of a nitro charge to our classic Chocolate Stout blends up chocolate and malt flavors into a smooth creamy chocolate experience that you’ll never want to end.

Ingredients:

2-Row, C120, Chocolate Malt, 2-row, Munich, Rolled Oats, Roasted Barley, Cascade hops, Pacman yeast, Chocolate

Rogue Nitro Chocolate Stout has an alcohol content of 5.8% by volume with 69 IBUs and I paid $8.93 for a 23-ounce mug at Taco Mac. Total Wine has the cans listed for $13.99 a 4-pack (13.65-ounce cans) in Brandon, Florida, but they are currently out of stock.

My mug of Rogue Nitro Chocolate Stout arrived jet black in color with a light head formation of super creamy tan foam and a nose of luscious chocolate. Taking a sip, the beer is super smooth in texture and simply glides over the palate. It is a little roasty but mostly chocolaty with decadent powdery cocoa notes. It finishes roasty bitter, smooth and dry with more chocolate.

This is one for the ages, folks, and now it really is. So long, old friend. You will be missed.