Beer of the Month: Dirty Chai Stout

Beer Name: Dirty Chai Stout
Brewery: SaltFire Brewing Co.

ABV: 6.7%
Serving Style:  500-mL bottle

Perfectly located in a future hotspot for local beer is SaltFire Brewing. Since their launch earlier this year, it’s proven to be a special addition to the Utah brewery family. Opening day, SaltFire’s Head Brewmaster, Patrick Bourque, pieced together a strategic lineup. Saltfire show-cased beers with traditional grounding and the risk-taking needed to excel in today’s competitive craft beer world. Along with their hopped-up monster Füry Kölsch, they took a gamble by releasing the robust Dirty Chai Stout in warmer months. “I’m sort of surprised at the response to this beer,” says Bourque. “We originally had put it on the back burner as the hot summer months were approaching, and I was cautious about how well a dark, spiced beer would do in the heat. When it comes down to it, you have to listen to your customers. People wanted it despite the season, and more importantly, people wanted it as our first batch sold out.” The SFB crew listened to the masses and went along with the release.

Description:

SaltFire Brewing delivers their beer in classically styled 500-mL bottles. This showcases the clever label designs, helping to identify the brewery quickly among the crowds. Cracking the top, this newly bottled bad boy gives a quick hiss then retreats into a welcoming silence. Anxiously, we pour the beer into a properly labeled beer glass. As the liquid layers itself along the edges of the glass, it settles into a dark, creamy, bubble-farm of foam that seems to clear quickly. Strong aromatics of cinnamon race to the nasal passages. A few sips in, hints of dark chocolate and full-bodied coffee balance the spice. With a crisp and surprisingly light mouthfeel, cloves complement the cinnamon and java. The taste is much like you would anticipate if you are a chai tea or coffee fan. Everything is in perfect harmony, as all of the ingredients play a key part in making this a delightful beer experience.

Overview:

Dirty Chai Stout is made with a local coffee roaster and brewery favorite, Blue Copper Coffee. The combo of Blue Copper and Indian Chai spice might have you thinking that this is just another hipster drink. However, we would urge you to open up your mind and taste buds and give it a try. The Dirty Chai is a popular blend of traditional chai tea and an espresso. If these are up your alley or if you have been wondering what all the fuss is about, this beer is for you. Due to its popularity, it has earned its place into regular rotation, but plans for this recipe are on the horizon. Bourque says, “We have started our barrel project and expect to release an imperial version of the Dirty Chai Stout as the months get cooler.”

It’s exciting to hear about all of the new beer planned in the coming months from SaltFire Brewing. This includes additional barrel-aged brews, sours and, of course, more New England Style IPAs. As SaltFire’s distribution and fanbase continue to grow, we should hopefully start to see their labels appear throughout the state. As of now, find the freshest selection at their brewery, located 2199 S. West Temple in South Salt Lake City.

Cheers!