Siren CCC Caribbean Chocolate Cake Series

I had to drink these 4 beers from Berkshire brewery Siren Craft Brew (website) as soon as I saw the cans in Hastings Eel & Bear (blog), drinking one on the day, and the other three at home in the period leading up to Christmas, as you'll see from the other photographs. These beers are the 4 from their 2025 CCC (Caribbean Chocolate Cake) Stout series, apparently they brew something new every year, and they have been developing these series since 2013. There are a couple of uniquely used in Britain (at least they were) additions to these beers: they use wood infusion spirals (The Malt Miller), including "Cypress Wood and the distinctive spicy notes of Amburana" plus Cacao husks as well as nibs, in the maturation, producing big flavours! 😁

The first was the 7.4% Dark Chocolate CCC Imperial Stout, and I'm going to be using some similar terminology as I go through these, so let's start off by saying they are all pretty luxurious! 😉 As well as the aforementioned ingredients, Sabro hops (The Malt Miller) and lactose is added to all the brews, and coffee and liquorice to this. They say a "Tropical Stout with Cacao & Cypress Wood" and my notes say "I was surprised there was very little aroma, but boy, very much dark chocolate flavour, not very sweet at all, amazingly dry finish and refreshing!" Quality!

Next is the, again 7.4% Milk Chocolate CCC Imperial Stout, with vanilla added to this brew. They say a "Tropical Stout with Cacao & Cypress Wood" and my notes, "Says 'Milk' Chocolate, but has smooth real/darker chocolate flavour with a hint of vanilla." I thought it was pretty good too, but I added no superlatives for this. 😏

The third beer was the slightly stronger 8.4% Deconstructed Barrel CCC, with Bourbon 'Barrel Aged Cacao' added during maturation and also aged on chopped 'Barrel Staves'. They say "Tropical Stout aged on Bourbon Barrel Staves" and I wrote "BIG Chocolate flavour, hint of Whisky and Vanilla in the aroma, Dry Finish, Excellent!" 😊

Finally, the rather strong 14.0% (Darth By) CCC, apparently brewed with Emperor's Brewery of Leicestershire involvement (website), with vanilla and spices (not specified) added. They say "Imperial Tropical Stout with Cacao & Cypress Wood" and I noted "Subtle Chocolate Aroma with a hint of Coffee and Vanilla. Incredible Dark Chocolate taste +++ Rich and Thick. A dry finish after a sweet initial flavour." Luxurious indeed, loved it, cheers! 😋

PS. Just realised that I have had a CCC before, a 2024 version (blog). 👍