Surly Coco Nitro Barrel Aged Darkness 16OZ

Surly Coco Nitro Barrel Aged Darkness 16OZ is a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout from Surly Brewing Co., packaged in a 16oz can at 12.0% ABV. A 2023 variant of the legendary Darkness series — whose base expression holds a near-perfect 99 on BeerAdvocate across more than 4,200 ratings — this release layers coconut, vanilla, and cacao onto a nitro-dispensed imperial stout for a singularly rich, creamy drinking experience.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.0%  |  Origin: Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, USA  |  Style: Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: Surly Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Surly Brewing Co. was founded in 2006 in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, and quickly became one of the most respected craft breweries in the Upper Midwest. Darkness, the brewery's flagship imperial stout, is released annually with limited variants that push the base recipe in new directions. Coco Nitro Barrel Aged Darkness matures in bourbon barrels alongside coconut, vanilla, and cacao before being packaged on nitrogen — a departure from standard carbonation that produces a denser, creamier mouthfeel and a cascading pour reminiscent of a nitro stout on draft. The bourbon barrel component contributes oak tannin structure and whiskey character, while the adjunct additions steer the flavor profile toward dessert-stout territory.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Toasted coconut and dark chocolate dominate the nose immediately, followed by a wave of coffee and a gentle bourbon barrel warmth. A subtle vanilla sweetness and a trace of chocolate liqueur round out the aromatics.

Taste: The entry is plush and sweet, led by rich milk-chocolate and coconut that quickly merge with bitter dark chocolate at the mid-palate. Vanilla and bourbon oak arrive next, lending a whiskey-like depth that balances the sweetness. Despite the 12% ABV, the alcohol integrates smoothly — one reviewer aptly described it as "chocolate milk in its most boozy and nefarious state."

Finish: Long and silky, with lingering toasted coconut, roasted cacao, and a faint oak dryness that prevents the finish from turning cloying. The nitro body leaves a velvety coating on the palate that persists well after the last sip.

How to Drink Coco Nitro Darkness

Pour this stout into a snifter or tulip glass and let it warm slightly above refrigerator temperature — around 50–55°F — to fully unlock the coconut and chocolate aromatics. Drinking it straight from the can is tempting, but a proper pour showcases the nitrogen cascade and creamy head. For cocktail-adjacent serves, try floating a small measure over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent beer float, blending it into a Stout Flip with a whole egg and a barspoon of maple syrup for added richness, or using it as the base in a Black Velvet variation where the nitro body substitutes for traditional Guinness alongside dry sparkling wine.

Best For

• Sharing at a craft beer bottle-share or tasting event focused on barrel-aged stouts
• Gifting a dedicated imperial stout collector who follows annual Darkness releases
• Pairing with a dessert course during a multi-course dinner party
• Cellaring alongside other Darkness variants for a vertical tasting

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Coco Nitro Darkness taste like? It delivers rich dark chocolate, toasted coconut, and vanilla up front, followed by bourbon barrel warmth and subtle coffee bitterness. The nitro pour gives it a creamy, almost milkshake-like texture that distinguishes it from standard carbonated stouts.

How does Coco Nitro Darkness compare to the base Darkness? The base Darkness is a bold, clean imperial stout with a BeerAdvocate score of 99, emphasizing roast malt and dark fruit. Coco Nitro Darkness adds pronounced coconut, cacao, and vanilla from barrel adjuncts plus a smoother, silkier mouthfeel courtesy of nitrogen, making it sweeter and more dessert-oriented than the original.

Is Coco Nitro Darkness good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a sipping stout meant to be savored slowly at a cool cellar temperature, where its layered coconut, chocolate, and bourbon barrel flavors develop as it warms in the glass.

Where is Coco Nitro Darkness made? It is brewed by Surly Brewing Co. in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. Surly is one of Minnesota's most prominent craft breweries, founded in 2006.

What foods pair well with Coco Nitro Darkness? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cacao and coconut notes directly. Smoked brisket stands up to the stout's weight and echoes the barrel char. Coconut flan mirrors the beer's tropical sweetness. Blue cheese provides a sharp, salty counterpoint to the malt richness. Espresso-rubbed short ribs tie into the coffee and roast character.

What sizes does Coco Nitro Darkness come in? This release is packaged in 16oz cans, the standard format for Surly's Darkness variant series.

Is Coco Nitro Darkness worth the price? It positions as a premium limited-release barrel-aged stout, a category where pricing reflects small-batch production, barrel costs, and specialty adjuncts like coconut and cacao. Its 4.2 rating on Untappd across more than 650 reviews and the Darkness line's exceptional reputation support its standing within the top tier of the style.

Why Coco Nitro Darkness?

The Darkness series has earned a cult following in American craft beer, and the base expression's 99-point BeerAdvocate score places it among the highest-rated imperial stouts ever produced. Coco Nitro Barrel Aged Darkness takes that foundation and reshapes it through bourbon barrel maturation with coconut, vanilla, and cacao — a combination that pushes the beer firmly into dessert-stout territory without losing structural integrity. The nitrogen pour is the final differentiator: it replaces standard carbonation with a dense, cascading creaminess that amplifies the already lush mouthfeel. For collectors tracking annual Darkness releases, this variant represents one of the more ambitious entries in the lineup.