SEATTLE, Wash. – Oct. 2, 2006 – Cougar Mountain Baking Co., a producer of gourmet, all-natural cookies, has brought back Double Chocolate Stout as the October selection for its popular “Flavor of the Month” line.  Double Chocolate Stout is made with Oregon-based BridgePort Brewing Co.’s award-winning Black Strap Stout.  The cookies will be available throughout the month of October in select Northwest grocery stores (see below for a complete listing).

The cocoa-based cookie with chocolate chunks accentuates the flavor profile found in BridgePort’s Black Strap Stout, specifically chocolate, molasses, and coffee.  The alcohol bakes out of the cookie, but the flavors found in the beer remain, adding considerable interest to an already tasty cookie.

The combination is not as odd as it might seem.  For years, beer lovers have explored the extraordinary flavors that come from combining malty, craft-brewed beers with fine chocolates and decadent desserts. Stout floats are dessert mainstay in brewpubs across the nation.

According to David Saulnier, president of Cougar Mountain Baking Co., the subtleties and complexities of the cookie’s flavor appeal to an adult audience.  “Last year when we first introduced the Double Chocolate Stout, we had quadruple the normal number of customer comments, nearly all of those being positive.  People were wowed by such an original flavor, and they thought the resulting cookie was great!”

Saulnier, who founded Cougar Mountain Baking Co. in 1988, enjoys collaborating with other Northwest companies who share his philosophy of producing high-quality, handcrafted products.  He has been a fan of BridgePort Ales for some time, and the alliance between the two companies seemed a natural fit.

As Oregon’s oldest craft brewery, BridgePort has evolved over the past 22 years from a microbrewery to a regional leader in the craft brewing market, while remaining faithful to its commitment to producing high-quality, innovative craft ales that are true to their heritage.  Its Black Strap Stout features a malty, caramel flavor up front with a distinctive dry-roasted bitterness in the finish.  A generous dose of Northwest hops mingles with the sweetness of black strap molasses to yield a full-bodied ale that pours with a rich, creamy head.

Cougar Mountain’s Flavor of the Month item has been in existence for 15 years, and the company uses it as a way to experiment with flavors, take advantage of seasonal ingredients, and have fun.  Like all of Cougar Mountain’s cookies, Double Chocolate Stout does not contain any hydrogenated oils or trans fats. Cougar Mountain Gourmet Cookies come eight cookies to a box, which is made from 100% recycled paper.  Each of the regular varieties is named for Seattle-area neighborhoods, parks or landmarks.  The cookies may also be purchased individually at select locations.

Cougar Mountain Double Chocolate Stout cookies are distributed at QFC, Whole Foods, New Seasons, Zupan’s Market, PCC Natural Market, Wild Oats, Stroheckers, Market of Choice (Terwilliger only), Metropolitan Markets, and Town & Country.  The cookies are also available at select Safeways, and Thriftways in the Northwest.

For more information about Cougar Mountain Baking Co., call 206-467-5044, or visit www.cougar-mountain.com.  For more information about BridgePort Brewing Co., call 503-241-7179 or visit www.bridgeportbrew.com.