Beer

24 Days of B.C. Beer: Molinillo Mexican Hot Chocolate Imperial Stout by Steel & Oak Brewing (No.23)

Dangerous things sometimes come in small packages.

By Nathan Caddell /

Welcome to 24 Days of Beer, in which we guide you through what might be a very dark month. Aren’t you glad we’re here to tell you what to drain your sorrows with?

If you think the name is a mouthful, wait until you actually try Steel & Oak’s latest. Let’s start with the bad news: Yes, this beer comes in four-packs of small cans and costs roughly the same as a four-pack of tall boys.

But don’t be fooled. At 10 percent ABV, this is actually a pretty good deal. And you only need one to start feeling like you should tell your boss to shove it on your work’s Christmas Party Zoom.

The best news? If you bought this hoping for a beer that has at least a faint hint of hot chocolate, as per the label, you won’t be disappointed. 

Named for the traditional whisk used in Latin America to make hot beverages, Molinillo includes cacao nibs from East Van Roasters and is absolutely delicious in the smallest of doses. And yes, it tastes like hot chocolate. 

Rightfully billed as the main secondary reason (behind only the lower housing costs, of course) to move to New Westminster, it’s no surprise Steel & Oak absolutely knocks this one out of the park.

But, and we can’t stress this enough, you’ll come to realize there’s a reason they come in small cans. Really, a glass is all you need, even if you’ll want more.

Previous 24 Days of Beer:
Tmavý Pivo 13 by Slowhand Brewing (No.1)
Mint Chocolate Stout by Moody Ales (No.2)
All Season Nitro Dry Stout by Container Brewing (No.3)
Four Year Oatmeal Stout by Strathcona Beer Company (No.4)
Idleback Amber Ale by Slackwater Brewing (No.5)
Peanut Butter Chocolate Porter by Bad Tattoo Brewing (No.6)
Velour Toboggan Blackberry Dark Ale by Dageraad Brewing (No.7)
Imperial Gingerbread Porter by Persephone Brewing (No.8)
Cranberry Mandarin Orange Witbier by Old Yale Brewing (No.9)
Chalet All Day Horchata Blonde Ale by Bridge Brewing (No.10)
Indulgeousness Imperial Stout by Superflux Beer Company (No.11)
Blackberry Export Stout by Vancouver Island Brewing (No.12)
Con Leche Horchata Style Milk Stout by Twin Sails Brewing (No.13)
Haulin’ Oats Oatmeal Stout by Main Street Brewing (No.14)
Naughty and Spiced Porter by Russell Brewing Company (No.15)
The Crawl Stout by Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers (No.16)
1709 Whiskey Barrel Aged Stout by Brewhall and Egan’s Whiskey (No.17)
Holiday Jam Cranberry Sour by Electric Bicycle Brewing (No.18)
Nitro Vanilla Stout by 33 Acres Brewing Company (No.19)
Heist Maple Stout by Cannery Brewing (No.20)
Chew Toy Coconut Porter by Yellow Dog Brewing Co. (No.21)
Hipster Haze Nitro Hazy IPA by R&B Brewing (No.22)