Counterflow Coffee and Bay City Brewing Launch Witching Hour Coffee Stout Inspired by Southern California Punk Spirit
TL;DR
Counterflow Coffee and Bay City Brewing's Witching Hour collaboration offers a market advantage with its accessible 5.5% ABV coffee stout appealing to broader audiences.
Witching Hour is a 5.5% ABV coffee stout brewed with Counterflow's cold brew for balanced coffee-forward flavor, dialing back intensity from their previous 9% ABV Gambino stout.
This collaboration celebrates San Diego's punk rock spirit and creates community through shared nostalgia, bringing people together over craft beer that honors local culture.
Witching Hour coffee stout launches with three bold flavors including Apple Pie and Coconut Macadamia Nut at a free release party featuring food pairings and espresso martinis.
Counterflow Coffee and Bay City Brewing have partnered to create Witching Hour, a 5.5% ABV coffee stout that embodies the punk rock spirit and creative energy of Southern California. This collaboration represents the next chapter in their creative partnership following last year's successful Gambino Coffee Stout, bringing the same craftsmanship while introducing a new balance of intensity designed to appeal to both coffee and beer enthusiasts.
The beer was specifically designed to be more accessible than their previous 9% ABV Gambino Coffee Stout, with Austin Pinder, head of brewing at Bay City, explaining they wanted something smoother, lighter, and more coffee-forward for broader appeal. Witching Hour incorporates Counterflow's signature cold brew, which brings a fresh, bold aroma and distinct yet subtle espresso character to the final product. The result is a beer described as smooth, roasty, and built for good times, capturing the energy and nostalgia of growing up in San Diego.
Geoff Davis of Counterflow Coffee emphasized that the collaboration is about honoring the punk rock energy that shaped the partners while keeping the product true to San Diego's craft scene. While Gambino leaned heavily on liquor and malt flavors, Witching Hour dials back the intensity and brings coffee flavors forward, creating a more approachable and balanced beer crafted for sharing. The visual identity and storytelling for Witching Hour were developed by Counterflow Marketing, designed to channel the wistful edge of SoCal punk with a moody, raw, and authentic aesthetic refined for modern appeal.
The official release party will take place on Thursday, November 13th, from 6pm to 9pm at Bay City Brewing's downtown location. This free public event will feature Counterflow Coffee's iconic espresso martinis and three bold Witching Hour flavors: Apple Pie, Coconut Macadamia Nut, and the Original Witching Hour. ELE Burger will provide food pairings specifically designed to complement the new beer. Following the launch, Witching Hour will be available on tap at Bay City Brewing's Midway and Downtown locations and distributed to bars and stores throughout Southern California, making it accessible whether consumers are enjoying a pint by the beach or sharing a six-pack at home with friends.
This collaboration represents the continuing evolution of Southern California's craft beverage scene, where local partnerships between coffee roasters and breweries create products that reflect regional identity and community values. By blending craft beer traditions with coffee expertise and cultural influences, Witching Hour offers consumers a product that connects with the imaginative, communal spirit of the region while delivering the perfect balance of craft and caffeine for evenings that don't want to end. The partnership between Counterflow Coffee and Bay City Brewing demonstrates how local businesses can leverage their respective specialties to create innovative products that resonate with community identity and shared experiences.
Curated from PR Karma