Brewhouse One: Mexican Xocolatl Ale

Chocolate Ale with Vanilla and Spices

A bottle and glass of Mexican Xocolatl Ale sit on a wooden surface, surrounded by cocoa beans, chocolate pieces, and cinnamon sticks, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Mexican Xocolatl Ale: A Collaboration Rooted in Culture and Craft

January 16, 2025

At Boulevard Brewing Company, we take immense pride in our community, our craft, and our collaborations. When it came time to create the latest addition to our Brewhouse One Series, we knew we wanted to work with a partner who embodies Kansas City’s rich cultural diversity and brings something truly special to the table. Enter Café Ollama, a gem in our neighborhood of Kansas City’s Westside. Together, we crafted Mexican Xocolatl Ale, an imperial stout inspired by Café Ollama’s beloved Abuelita Lupe beverage. This beer celebrates the vibrant flavors of Mexico and the incredible stories behind them.

Here’s how it all came together, featuring insights from Café Ollama’s owners, Lesley and Francisco Murguia, and Boulevard’s Innovation Brewer, Greg Garrity.

Celebrating Heritage Through Café Ollama

For Lesley and Francisco Murguia, Café Ollama was born from their love of coffee and culture. Their travels through Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico sparked an appreciation for unique beverages, while their time in Chicago and the West Coast deepened their connection to their Mexican roots. When they settled in Kansas City, they saw an opportunity to celebrate their heritage in the face of gentrification. Café Ollama became a place to share the warmth of Mexican traditions, bringing people together through rich flavors and meaningful stories.

The name Ollama is derived from “ullamaliztli,” a Meso-American ballgame, reflecting the couple’s dedication to weaving history into every aspect of their business. Café Ollama’s menu highlights ingredients and techniques steeped in tradition—from their signature Café de Olla to Abuelita Lupe, the beverage that inspired this collaboration.

Abuelita Lupe is named after Francisco’s grandmother, Guadalupe Contreras Loza, a matriarch who left an indelible mark on Kansas City’s culinary scene. “She ran multiple restaurants in the area and later opened a café in her hometown in Mexico,” Francisco recalls. “She would greet us with traditional chocolate milkshakes, giving me a lot of nostalgia. Naming this beverage after her felt like opening a door to her legacy.”

A creamy coffee drink topped with whipped cream and cinnamon, served in a glass mug. Garnished with triangular pieces of dark chocolate and surrounded by coffee beans, anise stars, and greenery on a wooden surface.

A Match Made in Flavor Heaven

Greg Garrity, Boulevard’s Innovation Brewer, first approached Café Ollama with the idea of collaborating on a beer. “When we added a community partner aspect to the Brewhouse One Series, Ollama was immediately on our radar,” Greg explains. “Their Café de Olla inspired me instantly, and after my first sip, I knew we had to work together.” Lesley and Francisco were thrilled about the idea. “We’ve always wanted to have a beer,” Francisco shared. “But we never knew how it could happen. Thanks to Boulevard, it did.”

The concept for a Mexican Hot Chocolate Ale quickly gained traction. While Greg envisioned a spin-off of Boulevard’s beloved Chocolate Ale, Francisco and Lesley initially leaned toward emphasizing spices and herbs. “We agreed to meet in the middle,” Greg laughs. “While there’s plenty of chocolate in the beer, the cinnamon, piloncillo, clove, and Yahualica peppers are the true stars.”

A cone-shaped piece of brown sugar (piloncillo) stands on a shiny metal surface, surrounded by a bar of chocolate and several cinnamon sticks. The background is slightly blurred, suggesting an indoor setting.

Person wearing blue gloves holding a round, segmented chocolate disc over a bag filled with similar discs.

A white bucket filled with a reddish-brown spice mix sits on a textured metal floor.

Crafting a Complex Brew

Mexican Xocolatl Ale is a labor of love. The beer boasts a robust malt bill, featuring flaked and malted oats, Midnight Wheat for roasted flavor without bitterness, and Special B malt for an intense caramel backbone. Add to that a mix of authentic Mexican ingredients—Abuelita Chocolate, piloncillo, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and Yahualica peppers—and the result is a rich, layered beer that’s as unique as the story behind it.

“This beer was a homebrewer’s dream (to use 10+ types of grain),” says Greg. “I wanted it to have enough body to support the spices but also enough roasted malt to cut through the richness. The piloncillo adds a distinct sweetness, and the Yahualica peppers provide a subtle heat that lingers just enough. Lesley and Francisco sourced all of the spices from Mexico!”.

The brewing process wasn’t without its challenges. “We were worried about the chocolate’s fats affecting the beer’s head retention,” Greg admits. “So, we boiled it to break down the lipids. Francisco also applauded our decision to combine the clove and Yahualica late in the process, which he said mirrored the marinade for Torta Ahogada, a traditional Mexican sandwich. He’s promised to pair them for us soon—I can’t wait!”

Two people work near a large stainless steel brewing tank labeled "35 BBL." One person is pouring ingredients, and the other is tending to the tank. Pipes and equipment surround them in the brewery.

In the pristine, metallic brewhouse, a tattooed worker with gloves holds a dark-colored sack connected to machinery, hinting at the intricate process of crafting drinks. Pipes and equipment gleam in this industrial setting designed for precision and quality.

A person in a black cap and t-shirt works amidst industrial brewing equipment. They are adjusting machinery, surrounded by metal pipes and containers. A beige sack and coiled wires are visible in the foreground.

Bringing People Together

For Lesley and Francisco, this beer is more than a beverage; it’s a symbol of connection. “We hope this brew serves as a bridge for people to experience something unique,” says Lesley. “Kansas City has such a rich history, and we’re proud to contribute to it.”

Greg agrees. “This collaboration embodies everything we aim for in the Brewhouse One Series. Ollama’s cultural insights and dedication to their craft made this beer groundbreaking for us. It’s my favorite dark beer I’ve ever created.”

With its dark mocha foam, rich chocolate aroma, and layers of cinnamon, vanilla, and spice, Mexican Xocolatl Ale is a decadent sipper that reflects the best of both worlds—Boulevard’s brewing expertise and Café Ollama’s authentic flavors.

A group of five people are gathered in an industrial setting with metal equipment and monitors in the background. Two of them, a man and a woman, are engaged in conversation while others listen attentively. They are dressed casually and appear relaxed.

Three people are gathered in a workshop setting. One man, wearing a black cap and displaying tattoos, is engaging with the others, who are wearing black jackets. They seem to be involved in a collaborative activity.

A Toast to Tradition

Mexican Xocolatl Ale is the latest release in the Brewhouse One Series, or Cerveceria Uno Series, and will be available for a limited time at the Boulevard Tours and Rec Center, on draft and package to go. This beer invites you to explore the flavors of Mexico while celebrating the vibrant cultural tapestry of Kansas City.

Celebrate this special collaboration!

Grab a glass, raise a toast, and enjoy this unique collaboration that’s as bold and heartfelt as the stories behind it. Salud!

Join us for a free Loteria Happy Hour hosted by DINKC for a chance to win fun prizes, then head to the bar for a pour of Mexican Xocolatl Ale + Café Ollama coffee and enjoy live tunes with Juan-Carlos Chaurand from Making Movies. Plus, learn more about this unique beer with BLVD Brand Manager Adam Hall and Cafe Ollama founders Lesley and Francisco Murguia.

Friday, 1/31/25, 5:00 – 9:00 PM | Boulevard Tours & Rec Center Beer Hall

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT THE TOURS & REC CENTER ON 1/31/25

ABV: 10%

Take it home – $19.99 per 4-pack

Shop Online