Award-Winning Imperial Stout: Third Eye Brewing’s Double Astral

When you’re up against over 9,000 beers spanning 170+ styles from breweries across the country, the competition is fierce. That’s exactly what went down at the 2024 U.S. Open Beer Championship—one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the country. And guess what? Third Eye Brewing Company (with locations in Sharonville & Hamilton, Ohio) didn’t just participate—they dominated.

Taking home four gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals, they were crowned the 2024 Grand National Champion. After reading about their big win, I knew I had to visit. And in January of this year, I finally did. Let me tell you—it was worth it.

Let’s Talk Beer: Double Astral Imperial Chocolate Oatmeal Stout

While Third Eye Brewing as a whole is impressive, this post is all about one of their standout beers: Double Astral Imperial Chocolate Oatmeal Stout—winner of the gold medal in the stout category.

I first tried this beer during my visit, and on Untappd, I rated it 4.75 stars—which, honestly, probably should’ve been a 5. This stout is luxuriously rich, thick, and loaded with chocolate—everything you want in an imperial stout. Despite its 10.8% ABV, it doesn’t come across as overly boozy, which is a rare and beautiful thing for a high-ABV stout.

What Makes Double Astral So Damn Good?

It all comes down to the ingredients. The winning recipe for Double Astral includes a generous amount of bittersweet cocoa nibs and husks sourced from Maverick Chocolate Company, another Cincinnati favorite. Add in a touch of creamy lactose, and the result is a silky, chocolate-forward stout that completely blew me away.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth the Hype?

Absolutely. If you’re a stout fan, Double Astral is a must-try. And if you’re anywhere near Cincinnati, make it a point to visit Third Eye Brewing. Whether you try this beer or explore their other offerings, I doubt you’ll leave disappointed.

Cheers to great beer and well-deserved awards! 🍻

– BSB