So, while the KHMH staff were putting their culinary skills on display, the staff at the Bowen and Bowen's Belize Brewing Company were presenting their annual summer brew, Belikin Chocolate Stout.
The seasonal product is back on shelves just in time for the cacao festival, and the public relations team at Bowen invited the press today to talk about why the brew is a novel pairing of two of Belize's finest products.:
Aaron John Palacio - PR Coordinator, Bowen & Bowen "We're so happy to announce - this of course, is a seasonal stout. It's the chocolate stout, and we're launching - actually, we're launching this week. It was actually yesterday. We pre-sold yesterday, so for those who bought yesterday, they're actually going to get their products today."
"This is what you call the product of all products, when it comes to a stout. It's actually over 6% alcohol, 100% organic chocolate, from where? Down south, Toledo District, Ixcacao to be exact."
"It's definitely a favorite of everybody, and it falls right within the season of the cacao festival that is, of course, held on a yearly basis in the Toledo District."
Daniel Ortiz "Is it something well received by customers?"
Aaron John Palacio "Definitely well received, and the reason for that is that it is seasonal. One of the things that we notice is that as long as something is seasonal, that's when folks eventually rush to it. We don't really worry much about that, because at Bowen and Bowen - and actually, the Belize Brewing Company - we want to provide that product that of course will benefit Belizeans."
Bowen and Bowen has produced around 2,300 cases of the chocolate stout. The Public Relations Coordinator told us that if they see that it is selling out fast, they will produce more.
Belize Brewing Company Unveils Chocolate Belikin Stout
The Belize Brewing Company today organized the fourth launch of its popular cacao stout. The seasonal drink is being released in anticipation of the Chocolate Festival in southern Belize. The company has produced two thousand, three hundred cases of the chocolate stout for the local market. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The substance of the cacao pod continues to be exploited for its many uses, from rich chocolate bars to dark, strong beer. Indeed, it is that time of year when all focus is being placed on the fatty seed, including a seasonal byproduct known as chocolate stout. Today, we toured the facility at Belize Brewing Company and saw firsthand how the drink of the gods is distilled.
John Palacio, Public Relations Coordinator, B&B
“Chocolate stout, four years going and more, actually for years and more, this is what you call the product of all products when it comes to a stout. It’s actually over six percent alcohol, one hundred percent organic chocolate from where? Down south, Toledo District. Ix Cacao, to be exact. As you know, it’s organic, like I mentioned. It’s definitely a favorite of everybody and it falls right within the season of the cacao festival that is, of course, held on a yearly basis in the Toledo District.”
The brewing of this limited flavor is a departure from what we’re all accustomed to as regular stout, a noticeable shift from the well-known formulae used in the preparation of the company’s prized beverages.
John Palacio
“Definitely well received and the reason for that is because it’s seasonal. One of the things that we’ve noticed is that as long as something is seasonal that’s when folks would eventually rush to it. We don’t really worry much about that because at Bowen and Bowen, actually the Belize Brewing Company, we want to provide that product that of course will benefit Belizeans. Benefit in what way? For the fact that it’s chocolate, it’s one hundred percent Belizean, it’s definitely a benefit.”
Reporter
“Talk to us a bit about the arrangements between the chocolate suppliers and what you get in the bottle.”
John Palacio
“Our arrangement, of course, is unique. These folks down south, they know for a fact that we scream for it. It’s something that we want. We ask for it on a yearly basis. We collect it, we store it and as long as the season comes about we make sure that we brew, we produce.”
Reporter
“How many bottles of chocolate stout do you guys intend to make for this particular season?”
John Palacio
“For this particular season there are around two thousand, three hundred cases of chocolate stout that so far have been produced. Of course, if it falls within the realm that we get Belizeans wanting more, we notice that the stores are running out or merchants are running out then of course we produce more. This is the Belize Brewing Company and are able to.”
According to the company, products will hit shelves countrywide as early as Friday. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
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So, while the KHMH staff were putting their culinary skills on display, the staff at the Bowen and Bowen's Belize Brewing Company were presenting their annual summer brew, Belikin Chocolate Stout.
"It's definitely a favorite of everybody, and it falls right within the season of the cacao festival that is, of course, held on a yearly basis in the Toledo District."
