Hubbard's Cave Pot de Crème 2Pk

Hubbard's Cave Pot de Crème 2Pk is a 12% ABV imperial stout brewed with cocoa nibs, raspberries, vanilla beans, and lactose, sold as a two-pack. Rated 90 (Outstanding) by BeerAdvocate, this pastry stout from Illinois has earned a devoted following for its remarkably thick, dessert-like body and layered flavor profile.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12%  |  Origin: Illinois, USA  |  Style: Imperial / Adjunct Stout  |  Brewery: Hubbard's Cave

Production & Heritage

Hubbard's Cave is an Illinois-based brewery known for pushing boundaries within the imperial stout category through aggressive adjunct additions. Pot de Crème takes its name from the classic French custard dessert, and the brewing process mirrors that indulgence — real cocoa nibs, whole vanilla beans, raspberries, and lactose sugar are incorporated to create a beer that drinks more like a liquid confection than a traditional stout. The lactose remains unfermented, contributing residual sweetness and a noticeably full, creamy mouthfeel that distinguishes Pot de Crème from leaner imperial stouts.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark raspberries and rich cocoa dominate the nose immediately, followed by subtle char and a faint layer of cream. Delicate vanilla and a touch of warming alcohol round out the aromatics without overpowering the fruit-chocolate interplay.

Taste: The palate opens with concentrated raspberry and dark chocolate, intensifying the promises made on the nose. Mid-palate, brûlée-like caramelized sugar and vanilla custard notes emerge, underscored by dark coffee and deeper cocoa bitterness. The lactose delivers a pillowy sweetness that binds these flavors together without tipping into cloying territory.

Finish: Thick, smooth, and lingering, with dark cocoa, charred malt, and a trailing raspberry tartness. The 12% ABV provides gentle warmth on the close, and the creamy texture persists well after each sip.

How to Drink Pot de Crème

Pour into a snifter or tulip glass at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to let the full range of chocolate and raspberry aromatics open up; drinking this one straight from the can shortchanges its complexity. While Pot de Crème is best appreciated on its own as a standalone dessert beer, it can also be used creatively: try it in a Stout Float paired with vanilla bean ice cream for an over-the-top indulgence, blend it into a Black Velvet variation with a dry sparkling wine to contrast its richness, or use a small pour in a Beer Cocktail Flip shaken with an egg yolk and a dash of cinnamon for a decadent after-dinner drink.

Best For

• Ending a dinner party with a shared dessert course replacement
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who collects pastry stouts
• Pairing alongside a chocolate or berry-forward dessert spread
• Cellaring for a special occasion — the high ABV supports short-term aging

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pot de Crème taste like? Pot de Crème delivers a rich blend of dark chocolate, raspberry, vanilla custard, and roasted coffee, all carried by a remarkably thick, creamy body from the lactose addition. It reads more like a liquid dessert than a conventional stout.

How does Pot de Crème compare to Southern Tier Crème Brûlée Stout? Both are dessert-oriented imperial stouts, but Pot de Crème leans into fruit with its raspberry addition and uses cocoa nibs for a more pronounced chocolate character. Southern Tier Crème Brûlée focuses on caramelized sugar and vanilla, resulting in a sweeter, less layered profile at a lower 10% ABV.

Is Pot de Crème good for sipping neat? Yes — this is primarily a sipping beer meant to be savored slowly from a snifter or tulip glass. Its 12% ABV and dense, custard-like body reward a slow, deliberate pour at cellar temperature.

Where is Pot de Crème made? Pot de Crème is brewed by Hubbard's Cave Brewery in Illinois, USA. The brewery specializes in adjunct-heavy imperial stouts and has built a regional reputation for its pastry stout program.

What foods pair well with Pot de Crème? Flourless chocolate cake complements the cocoa nib character directly; raspberry cheesecake echoes the fruit notes; sharp blue cheese provides a savory contrast to the sweetness; smoked brisket stands up to the beer's roasted malt backbone; and vanilla crème brûlée creates a natural mirror of the beer's custard-like qualities.

What sizes does Pot de Crème come in? This release is sold as a two-pack, which is the standard format for Hubbard's Cave's pastry stout offerings.

Is Pot de Crème worth the price? Pot de Crème positions as a premium craft release within the pastry stout category, and its 90-point BeerAdvocate rating, high ABV, and generous adjunct bill — real vanilla beans, cocoa nibs, raspberries, and lactose — justify its standing among specialty imperial stouts at a similar price tier.

Why Pot de Crème?

In a crowded pastry stout landscape, Pot de Crème distinguishes itself through balance — the raspberry acidity cuts through what could easily become one-dimensional sweetness, while the cocoa nibs and vanilla beans add genuine depth rather than artificial flavoring. Its 90 Outstanding rating on BeerAdvocate reflects consistent quality across batches. The lactose-driven mouthfeel, frequently cited by reviewers as one of the beer's defining traits, gives it a texture that rivals far more expensive limited-release stouts. For anyone serious about the pastry stout category, this two-pack delivers a legitimate dessert-in-a-glass experience grounded in real ingredients and careful brewing.