Young's Double Chocolate Stout 4Pk

Young's Double Chocolate Stout 4Pk is a 5.2% ABV English chocolate stout brewed with real dark chocolate and chocolate malt at Eagle Brewery in Bedford, England. A quadruple winner at the Brewing Industry International Awards and scored 90 on BeerAdvocate, this pioneering beer holds a legitimate claim as the original chocolate-essence stout.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.2%  |  Origin: Bedford, England  |  Style: Chocolate Stout  |  Brewery: Eagle Brewery

Production & Heritage

In 1997, Young's became the first known brewer to add real chocolate essence alongside chocolate malt in a stout recipe — the combination of both ingredients is where the "Double Chocolate" name originates. The grain bill features pale ale malt, crystal malt, and chocolate malt, supported by traditional English Fuggle and Goldings hops with Challenger hops contributing a subtle bitterness. Oats are included in the brew for added body and creaminess, while a special blend of sugars and real dark chocolate round out what has become one of the most recognized chocolate stouts in the world.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cocoa and roasted malt lead, followed by brown sugar sweetness and a subtle hint of coffee. The chocolate character is immediate and genuine, not synthetic or cloying.

Taste: The entry is smooth and creamy with a chewy medium-weight body. Mid-palate, dark bitter chocolate and cocoa merge with brown sugar and lightly sweet chocolate malt. Tangy, woody hops and a mild roasted malt bitterness emerge to keep the sweetness in check, preventing the beer from tipping into dessert territory.

Finish: Moderately long with a slight burnt-chocolate character and a very light chalky dryness. Lingering cocoa and roasted grain fade gradually, leaving a clean and satisfying close.

How to Drink Young's Double Chocolate Stout

Serve chilled but not ice-cold — around 50–55°F (10–13°C) allows the chocolate and malt complexity to fully express. Pouring into a tulip glass or nonic pint glass releases the cocoa-rich aroma.

• Chocolate Stout Float: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream in a glass of Double Chocolate Stout creates a rich, pub-style dessert drink where the roasted malt cuts through the cream.
• Black Velvet variation: Replacing the traditional stout with this chocolate stout and topping with sparkling wine adds an unexpected cocoa undertone to the classic combination.
• Stout Shandy: Blending half Double Chocolate Stout with half ginger beer produces a refreshing, lightly spiced drink that highlights the chocolate without heaviness.

Best For

• Introducing craft beer newcomers to chocolate stouts with an approachable, well-balanced example
• After-dinner drinking as a dessert-course alternative alongside chocolate or cheese
• Gifting to beer enthusiasts who appreciate classic English brewing with a twist
• Pairing nights centered around rich foods like barbecue, stews, or chocolate desserts

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Young's Double Chocolate Stout taste like? It delivers genuine dark chocolate and cocoa flavors balanced by roasted malt, brown sugar, and a mild hop bitterness, all carried on a smooth, creamy body with a lightly chalky finish.

How does Young's Double Chocolate Stout compare to Rogue Chocolate Stout? Rogue Chocolate Stout, brewed in Oregon, is its most frequently cited American counterpart; Rogue tends toward a bolder, more intensely roasted profile, while Young's leans into creamier, more restrained English-style sweetness with genuine chocolate essence.

Is Young's Double Chocolate Stout good for beginners? Yes — its smooth, medium-bodied character and approachable chocolate sweetness make it one of the most accessible entry points into the chocolate stout category without sacrificing depth or authenticity.

Where is Young's Double Chocolate Stout made? It is brewed at Eagle Brewery in Bedford, England, which produces the Young's range of beers under the Wells & Young's brewing tradition.

What foods pair well with Young's Double Chocolate Stout? Rich chocolate desserts like flourless chocolate cake amplify the cocoa character. Sharp aged cheddar creates a satisfying sweet-savory contrast. Slow-smoked barbecue brisket complements the roasted malt. Vanilla crème brûlée mirrors the beer's brown sugar notes. Blue cheese intensifies the stout's depth and mild bitterness.

What sizes does Young's Double Chocolate Stout come in? The 4-pack is the most widely available multi-pack format; individual bottles and cans are also commonly found at retailers, typically in standard single-serve sizes.

Is Young's Double Chocolate Stout worth the price? It positions as a well-priced imported craft stout that punches above its weight — a 90-point BeerAdvocate score and four Brewing Industry International Awards medals make it one of the strongest values in the chocolate stout category.

Why Young's Double Chocolate Stout?

This is the beer that defined the modern chocolate stout. When Young's introduced real chocolate essence into a stout recipe in 1997, no other brewer had done it — the "double" designation was earned through genuine innovation, not marketing. That innovation has been validated by a Gold Medal (2000), Silver Medal (2002), and two Bronze Medals (1998, 2004) at the Brewing Industry International Awards, one of the beer world's most respected competitions. With over 218,000 ratings on Untappd and a 90 score on BeerAdvocate, Young's Double Chocolate Stout remains a benchmark against which virtually every chocolate stout is still measured.