New flavoured stout by HopSaSam, one of those smaller Belgian brewing projects silently producing very interesting beers; this variant uses habanero peppers, but other versions with different pepper varieties are due to follow, with the peppers being grown by the brewer himself. Yellowish pale beige, open, moussy head, very dark chocolate brown robe – near black but not quite, with mahogany-bronze glow. Aroma of black chocolate, toffee, pipe tobacco, indeed (dried) habañeros, walnut liqueur, black peppercorns, cinnamon (actually used), bayleaf, apple peel. Sweetish onset, ripe blue plum and fig aspects, ripe pear, raisin, medium carb with slight minerally effects, smooth oily body; toffeeish, walnutty and black-chocolatey malt middle carrying growing chili heat, spreading out over the back of the mouth and tongue and gradually becoming dominant, though spicy hops, lovely bittersweet malts and warming, brandy-like alcohol remain very prominent as well. Hot, too hot for some perhaps, but if you have a certain level of capsaicin tolerance and like spicy food, this one will please, because the heat is still well in balance with the rest. Not to be missed if you are into chili stouts.

20 August 2022. At 12de Gents Bierfestival. Cheers to Anke, Pieter & the whole crew!

Hazy black, small, beige head. Aroma of mocha, vanilla cream, candied plum, pear, liquorice, sweetened fondant, dark fudge. Taste has sweet plum, fig & pear in a toasty, dark-chocolatey, fudge-like malt body with a soft umami soy edge. Herbal & peppery hoppy finish, chili burn kicking in and connecting with the bitter fondant and tobacco notes, remaining sweetish (dried fruits), warming whisky-like alcohol in the very end. Medium body, creamy texture, soft carbonation. Rough but noteworthy chili Stout.