NCBeerGuys launch award-winning stout

Dave Tollefsen and Glenn Cutler's beer was named this year's Top of the Hop Pro-Am Best in Show Beer, which means they were able to join NoDa Brewing and brew their own beer in a commercial system.

The beer, called Hot Pistol, is a chocolate, raspberry and habanero stout. Sounds like a complex, intriguing beverage!

“I think that Hot Pistol has something for everybody,” said Todd Ford, Noda Brewing’s co-owner and head of production. "It has a rich chocolate aroma, flavor accented with the tartness of raspberries and the subtle heat of habanero peppers. All of this is wrapped up in incredibly drinkable stout.”

Worried about the heat? Cutler says not to fret: "We think we achieved a balanced recipe and that the drinker will get a great combination of chocolate and raspberry and then feel the heat of the habanero without being assaulted."

You can find Hot Pistol starting at noon this Saturday in NoDa Brewing's taproom, as well as in the Charlotte metro area. After August 20, you can find the beer on tap in the Raleigh-Durham area at Bottle Revolution, Beer Study, Apex Dispensary, Raleigh Brewing and Mystery Brewing.

If you want to make the drive to the Queen City for the release party, there will be a habanero eating contest, and Tollefsen and Cutler will be bringing their Hot Pistol Blazing Rounds (chocolate-covered, raspberry jelly-filled habaneros), although they said "we're pretty sure they're disgusting."