News

Dunkin’ Donuts' year-end doin’s dipped in DDark beer

December 19, 2017

Coffee-flavored beer? Is that supposed to be a way to beat a hangover before it starts? 

Actually, Dunkin' Donuts insists that DDark Roasted Brew, a product of its partnership with Wormtown Brewery, is a tribute to the darkest day of the year, Dec. 21. Also, according to a company press release, it's the first beer ever to be brewed with Dunkin' Donuts Dark Roast beans. 

The stout-style beer boasts a full-roasted coffee flavor "reminiscent of freshly ground beans with a creamy mouthfeel," the release said.

If you want a stein of the stuff, you'll have to travel to Worcester, Massachusetts, where it will be exclusively available on draught at the Wormtown Brewery Tap Room, beginning at 11:28 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, the start of the winter solstice. 

"Worcester is home to one of the first Dunkin' Donuts restaurants, so we know how much residents love the brand and our coffee," Worcester Dunkin' Donuts franchise owner Rob Branca said in a news release about the beer's debut. "This partnership with Wormtown continues to drive innovation in Worcester and we are excited to brew up something extra bold to help our loyal guests to celebrate the darkest day of the year."

The celebration will also do some good to the local community through a donation of $11,500 to the Worcester Food Bank. Meanwhile at the brewery Thursday, guests can attend a morning keg-tapping, and sample doughnut and beer pairings from the Dunkin' Donuts culinary team.

Tap room patrons who dunk a Double Chocolate Cake Donut in their DDark stout will note how "the smooth body of the beer complements the creaminess of the chocolate icing, finishing with notes of Dark Roast Coffee, malt and chocolate cake."

In case you can't get to Worcester, the doughnut brand is offering a year-end LTO for guests everywhere — the Sweet Black Pepper Bacon Breakfast Sandwich. This returning favorite includes bacon coated in a brown sugar and black pepper seasoning and served with an egg and cheese on a toasted croissant. It also comes as a Wake-Up Wrap, with half an egg, cheese and the sweet bacon on a flour tortilla. Both items are now available nationwide.