Brew York has released its 2023 iteration of its Empress Tonkoko beer, along with three small-batch barrel-aged versions.
It’s the sixth year the brewery has brewed Empress, a surprisingly easy-drinking 10.6% ABV beer boasting rich chocolate notes mixed with the fragrant headiness of Tonka and vanilla.
Imperial Tonkoko was created in 2017, based upon Brew York’s signature milk stout, Tonkoko. The 7.5% ABV imperial variation hit the world to much acclaim, quickly winning several awards and even being voted in the top ten best stouts in the world by RateBeer.
For Empress Tonkoko, the brewing team dialled everything up to 11, with more than triple the original levels of coconut, cacao, tonka, and vanilla, creating a creamy and decadent assault on the senses.
“We’re incredibly proud of the Tonkoko series and what we’ve managed to achieve with it,” said Lee Grabham, Brew York’s co-founder and production director. The OG Tonkoko is now one of our best sellers, Imperial Tonkoko was rated one of the best stouts in the world, and Empress Tonkoko has become something of a showpiece for us — it doesn’t get much better than that!
“We’ve brewed Empress Tonkoko every year since that first brew in 2018, and every year we strive to brew the best version we’ve ever made.” The beers are available here.
As part of the 2023 Empress release, Brew York is also presenting three special, limited-availability, barrel-aged variants. Brewed and released just once a year, each barrel-aged Empress Tonkoko release spends at least 12 months in a unique selection of barrels.
For 2023, the team carefully selected oak barrels that have formerly stored three different spirits, on a mission to bring drinkers three new and entirely unique flavour infusions. These are:
- BA Plantation Rum Empress Tonkoko
Plantation Rum was selected for its flavours of rich oak, as well as warm molasses and rich burnt sugars which add depth to an already deeply decadent beer. - BA Heaven Hill Empress Tonkoko
Heaven Hill Bourbon was selected to add a caramel sweetness, subtle rye spice, and rich oak. - BA Buffalo Trace Empress Tonkoko
Buffalo Trace Bourbon was selected for its molasses and toffee sweetness, luxurious vanilla, and rich oak.
National release
Pre-orders are on the website now. The official launch is on Thursday, 2nd February. The beer will be available at these partner venues:
North
- Chequers, Beverley
- The Market Tap, Castleford
- White Hart, Hull
- Head of Steam Park Row, Leeds
- Brew York: New Briggate, Leeds
- Head of Steam Liverpool, Liverpool
- The Crown & Kettle, Manchester
- Townmouse, Newcastle
- Brew York: The Market Tap, Pocklington
- Rita’s Pantry, Redcar
- Scholar’s Bar, Scarborough
- Head of Steam Sheffield, Sheffield
- Tipsy Turtle, Stockton
- Bow-Legged Beagle, Wirral
- Brew York: Beer Hall & Tap Room, York
- Brew York: Handley Tap, York
- Fossgate Tap, York
- The Crooked Tap, York
- The Maltings, York
- Valhalla, York
Wales and Midlands
- Head of Steam Birmingham, Birmingham
- Head of Steam Cardiff, Cardiff
- Robertos, Halesowen
- Junkyard, Nottingham
- Real Ale Direct Hadnall, Shrewsbury
- The Woodman, Stoke
- Dog & Partridge, Stoke
- The Hop Vault, Stourbridge
- The Hop Emporium, Warrington
- Tonic, Worcester
South
- Beerfly, Bedford
- Hole in the Wall, Brighton
- Thirsty, Cambridge
- Beer Shop, Hitchin
- Hop Inn, Hornchurch
- Fuggles, Kent
- Craft Metropolis, London
- Delay No More, London
- Fat Cat Brewery Tap, Norfolk
- DEAD Time, Saffron Walden
- Beer Shop, St Albans
