Prantl's Bakery and Platform Beer collaborate for a 2nd tasty brew

For a second time, 500 pounds of burnt almonds made their way from Pittsburgh to Cleveland — all in the name of beer.

Platform Beer Co. and Prantl’s Bakery in Shadyside have collaborated on a second brew: a Chocolate Almond Torte Stout.

It’s a twist on the first beer — the Burnt Almond Torte — and is described as a stout brewed with Prantl’s famous almonds, chocolate, vanilla and lactose. The alcohol content is 8.5%. Serious beer fans will want to know that the IBU (International Bitterness Units) is 27.

“We’re excited to give everyone a twist on the first collaboration with Platform Beer Co.,” said Jessica Hickey, director of marketing for Prantl’s Bakery, in a statement. “Torte was so well received that when the idea for a second beer came up, we knew that showcasing the chocolate version of our famous Burnt Almond Torte was the perfect idea.”

Both companies decided to do a second beer inspired by the bakery’s moist chocolate cake and creamy chocolate butter cream covered in Prantl’s famous almonds.

Matt Subel, vice president of sales at Platform Beer Co., said it has been “a ton of fun to work with Prantl’s.” The first beer collaboration was so successful, the brewery was excited to create something new.

Platform Beer’s Chocolate Almond Torte will be released Saturday at the company’s Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati tasting rooms. The brew will be sold at various retailers and beer stores throughout Pittsburgh starting Monday.

Prantl’s owner John Felice said collaborations such as this are part of the changing times for family-owned businesses. He said the partnership with Burgatory, which yielded a torte milkshake, is another strong partnership.

“You have to do different things,” he said. “People love the burnt almond torte because it’s made from scratch, and now they love the beer too. Platform is a company with a young entrepreneurial spirit. We are excited about the new brew.”

They will be sold in four-packs of 16-ounce cans for an average price of $16.99.

Platform, which was purchased in August by Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Brewers Collective, is in the process of opening a location in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood. Construction should begin in the next four to six weeks.

The second Prantl’s beer, like the first, was brewed in Cleveland.

“I want people to know we, once again, used Prantl’s burnt almonds,” said Subel, who recalled that Felice personally delivered the almonds. “Both beers have real almond flavor. It’s really a signature taste, and it works so well with beer. It hits the sweet spot.”

Both were brewed in one-time batches.