(Brooklyn Center, MN) – BeerPulse obtained a copy of the artwork for Surly Brewing Company’s forthcoming Darkness 2012 Russian Imperial Stout on Thursday.

One of the most coveted annual beer releases in the U.S. each year, dubbed “Darkness Day,” the 2012 edition of Darkness will be released on Saturday, October 27th. Details have not yet been announced for the 2012 event and may not be for a while; last year, they weren’t announced until the last week of September. Founder and Owner, Omar Ansari, estimated that a few thousand people were on hand last year for Darkness Day 2011 festivities, including bands, food and other beers.

Between 7,000 and 8,000 750ml bottles were released each of the past two years on Darkness Day with a limited amount of bottles and kegs making their way into the on-premise and off-premise market shortly thereafter. In 2010, the company reported producing over 14,000 bottles total (not including kegs). Both years, attendees were limited to six bottles per person.

Stay tuned for more info on this year’s release in the coming weeks. Below, the label copy:

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The lycanthropes [read: people that transform into animals] gather under the full moon at Surly Brewing Company, awaiting their transformation. Though they fear the light, they yearn for the Darkness that will soon wash over them. Drawn together to share the night, their stories and their treasure, they know Darkness will soon be theirs. It is as black as the sky on a moonless night, but these souls aren’t so lucky. Their metamorphosis is imminent, but they all agree that it is a price they are each willing to pay.

Each year, we select a different artist to create a Darkness-inspired monstrosity. Local artist, Brent Schoonover, brought this year’s shape-shifting beast to life.

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You can see more of Schoonover’s work at BrentSchoonover.com.

Click for news on past Surly Darkness releases.

Below, a video recap of Darkness Day 2011.