Young's Double Chocolate Stout 25OZ

Young's Double Chocolate Stout 25OZ is a 5.2% ABV English chocolate stout brewed with real dark chocolate and chocolate malt in a generous 25-ounce bottle. It earned a Gold Medal at the 2000 Brewing Industry International Awards, cementing its reputation as one of the benchmark chocolate stouts produced in England.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.2%  |  Origin: Bedford, England  |  Style: Chocolate Stout  |  Brewery: Wells & Young's Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Wells & Young's Brewing Company operates out of Bedford, England, a historic brewing town in the heart of Bedfordshire. The Double Chocolate Stout is built on a base of pale ale malt and crystal malt, with a generous addition of chocolate malt forming the backbone of the grain bill. What truly distinguishes this beer is the "double" in its name — beyond chocolate malt, the brew incorporates real dark chocolate and chocolate essence during production, layering authentic cocoa character that pure malt alone cannot achieve. Oats are added for a silkier body, while a blend of Fuggle, Golding, and Challenger hops provides balancing bitterness and earthy complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich dark chocolate dominates the nose immediately, backed by roasted malt and a faint whiff of freshly ground coffee. Subtle earthy hop notes linger beneath the cocoa.

Taste: Chocolate enters first on the palate — not candy-sweet but deep and semi-dark, closer to baker's chocolate than a confection. Mid-palate brings roasted malt and a lightly sweet, caramel-tinged malt character from the crystal malt. A measured hoppy bitterness emerges toward the back, introducing tangy, slightly woody hop notes alongside minor coffee undertones.

Finish: Medium in length with a smooth, creamy texture amplified by the oat addition. Residual chocolate and gentle roast fade gradually, leaving a clean bitterness that invites another sip.

How to Drink Young's Double Chocolate Stout

Serve at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, in a tulip glass or English pint to let the chocolate aromatics open fully. Pouring too cold mutes the cocoa and malt nuance considerably.

In cocktails and beer-based drinks, the Double Chocolate Stout works well in a Chocolate Stout Float — poured over vanilla ice cream, its roasty bitterness cuts through the sweetness beautifully. A Black Velvet variation using this stout in place of a traditional dry stout pairs the chocolate depth with Champagne's acidity for a surprisingly elegant combination. It also shines in a Stout Espresso Martini, where the beer replaces a portion of the coffee liqueur to add body and genuine chocolate flavor.

Best For

• Dessert course pairing at a dinner party
• Gifting to craft beer enthusiasts who appreciate English brewing traditions
• A cold-weather evening sipper alongside a fireplace
• Introducing someone to the chocolate stout style with an approachable, award-winning example

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Young's Double Chocolate Stout taste like? It delivers a pronounced dark chocolate flavor supported by roasted malt, light coffee undertones, and a balancing hoppy bitterness, all carried on a notably smooth and creamy body.

How does Young's Double Chocolate Stout compare to Rogue Chocolate Stout? Rogue Chocolate Stout tends to be hoppier and more intensely roasted with a higher ABV, reflecting its American craft approach. Young's version is smoother, creamier, and more restrained in bitterness — a distinctly English take on the style that leans into subtlety over boldness.

Is Young's Double Chocolate Stout good for beginners? At 5.2% ABV with a smooth, accessible chocolate-forward profile and minimal harshness, it serves as an excellent introduction to dark beer styles for drinkers who might otherwise avoid stouts.

Where is Young's Double Chocolate Stout made? It is brewed by Wells & Young's Brewing Company in Bedford, England, a town in Bedfordshire with a long-established brewing heritage.

What foods pair well with Young's Double Chocolate Stout? Flourless chocolate cake mirrors and amplifies the beer's cocoa character. Sharp cheddar cheese creates a savory-sweet contrast against the malt sweetness. Barbecue ribs benefit from the roasted malt and hoppy bitterness cutting through rich, smoky sauce. Vanilla crème brûlée pairs naturally with the chocolate and coffee undertones. Beef chili gains depth when served alongside the stout's roasted grain complexity.

What sizes does Young's Double Chocolate Stout come in? It is widely available in a 25-ounce (approximately 750ml) bottle, as well as in smaller single-serve formats including 11.2-ounce bottles and multi-packs.

Is Young's Double Chocolate Stout worth the price? It positions as a mid-range import stout that punches above its price tier, particularly given its Gold Medal pedigree at the Brewing Industry International Awards and the use of real dark chocolate in production — a level of ingredient quality not always found in comparably priced stouts.

Why Young's Double Chocolate Stout?

The defining advantage here is the dual-source chocolate approach: real dark chocolate and chocolate essence layered on top of chocolate malt. That three-tier cocoa complexity is rare in the category and explains why the chocolate character tastes more authentic and dimensional than many competitors relying on malt alone. A Gold Medal at the 2000 Brewing Industry International Awards — one of the oldest and most respected global brewing competitions — validated what drinkers had already recognized. At a sessionable 5.2% ABV, the beer delivers full-flavored stout satisfaction without the heaviness of imperial-strength alternatives, making the 25-ounce bottle a genuine share-size pleasure rather than a commitment.