(Milton, DE) – Dogfish Head Theobroma got label approval last week, and somewhat surprisingly considering what Santa’s Butt went through just a year and a half ago. But the beer is clearly a respectful tribute to ancient times and traditions, after all, the Latin translation of “Theobroma” means “Food for the Gods.” Theobroma also refers to Theobroma cacao, or the cocoa plant.

The beer is, indeed, big on (Askinosie) chocolate and big on alcohol at 9% though it isn’t billed as an imperial stout. It is, instead, dubbed an ale, brewed with honey, Soconusco cocoa nibs, cocoa powder, ancho chili peppers, and ground annatto. It will be released in August [8/1 Update: Site now says September] in 750’s according to the Dogfish Head site.

The beer was actually featured on tap just a few months ago, and much has been written about its historical influences already:

Dogfish Head’s Official Web Site:

This beer is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras which revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early civilizations to toast special occasions

The Zythophile:

[…] it looks as if chocolate-flavoured beer, like DC Stout, is one of the most ancient beer styles in the world, dating back more than 3,000 years.

Joe Sixpack’s Blog:

According to McGovern, early Mesoamericans likely consumed the cacao tree’s fruit because the seeds were too bitter. As they discovered how to brew with the bean, they added honey, chilies and spices to offset the bitterness.