7.5

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Draught pints at Redbones porter and stout dinner on 3/12/07 and again on 3/16/07 at Redbones
Dark cocoa-flecked tan head is medium in size and shows strong retention for a chili beer. Dark brown body has a medium-high clarity and a chestnut-mahogany hue on the edges. Little/no lacing, probably inhibited by the chili oil.
Not much chili in the nose, and only a dry pinch of baker’s chocolate powderiness. But more fudgey chocolate notes emerge, especially with warming. A bit of vanilla and slight caramel malt sweetness, but overall a rather reserved, somewhat weak aroma, though that seems to be the norm with many spiced/peppered dark ales.
Flavor is a whole nother story, though. Dry chocolate with a pleasing chewiness and light fudge character. Bit of vanilla cream sweetness and slight roastiness emerging, as the chili finally comes on in the finish. Very spicy, with a slow burn that builds up on the palate, while all the while the chocolate lightly complements the heat. Light caramel and more stickiness, with low carbonation. Delicious and the best chili beer I’ve had easily. Think of it as a double IPA that is balanced through the middle but with tons of hop bitterness on the finish.