Independent Yorkshire-based brewery, Brew York, has kicked-off 2024 with a bang by releasing the seventh iteration of their showpiece stout, Empress Tonkoko.
The tonka bean, vanilla, coconut & cacao imperial milk stout is described by many as ‘a Bounty in a glass’. Brewed just once a year, the 2024 edition is presented as part of the brewery’s newly designed ‘Remastered’ range alongside four one-off barrel-aged versions. Each barrel-aged Empress Tonkoko release spends at least 12 months in a unique selection of barrels.
When Brew York first launched Imperial Tonkoko in 2017, it was celebrated across the beer world as an aspirational example of an indulgent and flavour-packed impy stout. It was soon winning awards and was even listed as one of the ‘top ten best stouts in the world’ by Rate Beer.
Brew York has never been shy when it comes to pushing themselves or trying something new. The team wanted to see what more they could do with this concept, so in 2018 they brewed again and this time dialled everything right up – coconut, vanilla, cacao and, of course, tonka. Empress Tonkoko was born, and they haven’t looked back.
The recipe may have been slightly tweaked and improved over the years, but Empress Tonkoko remains true to its reputation as an indulgent and surprisingly easy drinking 10.6% stout with super-rich chocolate notes mixed with a fragrant headiness of Tonka and vanilla.
Brew York co-founder and Production Director, Lee Grabham adds “Brewing techniques and technologies evolve all the time, and the latest hype beer may come and go, but we love that Empress Tonkoko has now become an annual release highlight in craft beer, and we remain incredibly proud of this brew.
We’ve brewed Empress Tonkoko every year since 2018, and every year we strive to brew the best version we’ve ever made. We’ll let you decide whether we’ve done it.”
The 2024 Empress Tonkoko beers are:
EMPRESS TONKOKO // IMPERIAL MILK STOUT // 10.6% // KEG, CAN (330ml)
Coconut, cacao, tonka and vanilla, creating a creamy and decadent assault on the senses. Dangerously easy drinking but at a cockle-warming 10.6% you might want to pace your journey into ‘bounty-full’ heaven!
BA EMPRESS TONKOKO // HEAVEN HILL BA IMPERIAL MILK STOUT // 10.6% // KEG, CAN (330ml)
Heaven Hill Bourbon was selected to add a caramel sweetness, subtle rye spice, and rich oak.
BA EMPRESS TONKOKO // RUM BA IMPERIAL MILK STOUT // 10.6% // KEG, CAN (330ml)
Rum barrels were selected for their flavours of rich oak as well as warm molasses and rich burnt sugars.
BA EMPRESS TONKOKO // RYE WHISKEY BA IMPERIAL MILK STOUT // 10.6% // KEG, CAN (330ml)
Rye Whiskey was selected to add molasses, spice, and rich oak.
BA EMPRESS TONKOKO // HIGHLAND WHISKY BA IMPERIAL MILK STOUT // 10.6% // KEG, CAN (330ml)
Highland Whisky was selected to add sweet notes of caramel, butterscotch, and rich oak.
