Houston’s granddaddy of craft beer, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, has announced the return of its limited-release Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout in collaboration with James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur Hugo Ortega of H Town Restaurant Group, which operates Hugo’s, Xochi and other local restaurants. This small-batch brew is available exclusively on-tap at Saint Arnold Beer Garden & Restaurant located at 2000 Lyons Avenue, starting on Wednesday, February 12. It’s available until supply runs out. 

“We’re thrilled to bring back Hugo’s Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout for a second release,” said Brock Wagner, founder of Saint Arnold Brewing Company. “This beer is a beautiful collaboration that highlights chef Ortega’s mastery of flavor, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience the layers of complexity in each sip.”

The indulgent stout is sure to sell out quickly, so those hoping to get a taste should get to the beer garden early. This rich, flavorful brew is made with Ortega’s signature Mexican chocolate. It’s crafted by hand through an hours-long process in which whole cacao beans are roasted on a comal, a traditional Mexican griddle, then pulverized in a large stone grinder and mixed with Mexican vanilla and piloncillo (a traditional, unrefined cane sugar from Latin America) yielding chocolate “tablets” that you’ll find incorporated into recipes for mole, desserts and housemade Mexican hot chocolate served at his restaurants including Xochi, Hugo’s, Caracol and Urbe.

When artfully blended with the already roasty-and-decadent beer style, Ortega extols that “The combination of chocolate, cinnamon and the richness of the stout creates a unique experience for anyone who loves bold flavors. I’m honored to continue this collaboration with Saint Arnold and share a piece of my culinary heritage in every glass.” Hop and roast bitterness are tempered by the sweetness of the stout and soft, creamy mouthfeel which exhibits notes of toffee, stone fruit and warm winter spices.

It is being served “on nitro”, meaning the beer is dispensed from a designated tap that incorporates a mixture of primarily nitrogen gas, which creates a creamy, smooth mouthfeel. That’s thanks to the smaller bubbles formed, compared to standard carbon dioxide-carbonated beer, which accentuate the intended flavor profile and body. The cost is only $7 per pint plus tax and gratuity.

It’s not the only special release from Saint Arnold this month. On Monday, February 17, the brewery is releasing Bishop’s Barrel no. 26 — the first new release in the series since 2020. This decadent Imperial Porter is aged in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels for 14 months with coffee, toasted coconut flakes, vanilla, orange peel and coriander for an unctuous, boozy experience with sultry flavors of liquid dessert akin to German chocolate cake and espresso with notes of citrus, vanilla and whiskey. 

This coveted release comes in at 11.6% ABV and is packaged in 12-ounce bottles which will be hitting shelves on Tuesday, February 18 in extremely limited amounts. (It was initially available for pre-order, with pick-up at the beer garden, but has since sold out.) Any remaining inventory will be sold in the beer garden.

Saint Arnold Beer Garden & Restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m. daily.

Mario-Sebastian Berry

Mario-Sebastian Berry is a wine and spirits vendor who has been in the hospitality industry since 2002. Currently, he represents Blanco, Texas-based Andalusia Whiskey Co. He holds numerous wine, beer and spirits certifications including Certified Sommelier. Somehow, he also finds time to be Houston Food Finder’s associate editor and social media manager.