Otter Creek World Tour: Cerveza Cacao
Otter Creek Brewing

Otter Creek World Tour: Cerveza CacaoOtter Creek World Tour: Cerveza Cacao
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From:
Otter Creek Brewing
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
Herb and Spice Beer
ABV:
6.5%
Score:
79
Avg:
3.32 | pDev: 11.14%
Reviews:
31
Ratings:
32
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 05, 2012
Added:
Jan 10, 2006
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
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Ratings by GCBrewingCo:
Photo of GCBrewingCo
Reviewed by GCBrewingCo from North Carolina

3.03/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
The beer poured into the glass crystal clear amber golden with a white and very low head which fell in an instant but still tried to lace at the glass.

The aroma was odly phenolic with a syrupy malty caramel sweetness to the aroma coupled with a cocoa vibe. There was a slight spice, but nothing defined and tangible when cold.

The flavor was floral and fruity with a cocoa presence and a light, make that very light, peppery spice character. The pepper in the spice was actually warming and vegetal in nature and not well done at all. The flavor was so floral and fruity that it was not pleasant at all to consume.

The finish was dry with lasting floral flavors into the aftertaste with a low spice. The body was medium and forgettable. The label tells the story of Aztecs and I doubt any took the time to taste this beer or perhaps the beer was left over from their time. Skip it!

22 ounce bottle.
Feb 10, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3 by jfcaa193 from Canada (QC)

Feb 05, 2012
Photo of kingcrowing
Reviewed by kingcrowing from Vermont

3.25/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
22oz bomber poured into a sampling glass.

Pours a light whear/golden color with almost no head at all. Nose is light and wheaty with a bit of malt but not much else. Maybe a hint of spiciness.

Taste is light and malty. Decent but not too special. There's a nice light bite of pepper on it with a good toastiness that lingers. Mouthfeel is a bit watery and light. Light carbonation but fairly drinkable.
Oct 10, 2009
Photo of aerozeppl
Reviewed by aerozeppl from New York

3.03/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Grabbed a bottle a while back for $3. Enjoyed it. Went back and got another. Reviewing this one.

A: Slightly cloudy copper color. Minimal amount of white head. No lacing.

S: Malt hits you first. Slight spice smell. I think this one is past it's prime.

T: The other bottle I had was much more complex. This just tastes like a run of the mill pale ale. Decent.

M: Med body with med carbonation. Nothing special

D: I think the last bottle I got was stored well and this one was not. Kudos for trying to do something different.
Feb 10, 2008
Photo of Kendo
Reviewed by Kendo from New York

3.13/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: Poured into a pint glass, the result is a clear golden/honey body with a 1-finger bubbly off-white head that settles immediately. Some lacing on the way down.

S: I wrote "something spicy -- but faint." I couldn't but my finger on the spice scent, but otherwise there wasn't much going on. A hint of sweet and grainy malt, but that too was pretty faint.

T: Malty and even slightly nutty with a light chocolatey finish that lingered in the aftertaste. Like the nose, it was weak in flavor, though at least there was nothing objectionable in the taste.

M: Light and thin.

D: At least it goes down pretty easily.
May 07, 2007
Photo of WanderingFool
Reviewed by WanderingFool from Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I was expecting a crisp pilsner flavor from this beer, but this one surprised me. The beer pours a clear amber color with a frothy white head on top. The foam dissolves down to a ring around the surface leaving behind a few spots and lines of lace on the glass. An interesting aroma of pale malt, vanilla and cocoa powder. I thought it was slightly vegetal, but couldn't identify the aroma. Maybe peas.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is smooth on the palate with a crisp carbonated tingle on the tip of the tongue. The flavor begins with some crisp pale malt. Cinnamon spice notes and a hint of chocolate fill out the middle. It finishes dry with a hint of fruit. Perhaps peach.

It took me a while to get used to the flavor. Once the glass warmed a bit the cinnamon and cocoa really came through.
Jan 07, 2007
Photo of sulldaddy
Reviewed by sulldaddy from Connecticut

3.15/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2
Im sampling this brew in a stemmed bock glass at room temp. The beer pours slightly cloudy amber color with some streams of carbonation rising to the surface forming a thin beige creamy head of .5 cm. The aroma is some caramle and a bit of baker's chocolate, nothing spectacular. Overall the nose is dry and a bit musty actually.
First sip reveals an average to thin body with very fine and tingly carbonation.
Flavor is mildly sweet up front with some bakers chocolate again and then empties out and finishes with a bit of bitterness that I dont find overly pleasant. I didnt have high hopes for this brew and I wasnt let down, definitely not a brew to quest for.
Jan 01, 2007
Photo of Stimack
Reviewed by Stimack from New York

3.87/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Brew pours to a cloudy golden color with a smallish off white head that breaks down quickly but does leave thin layers of lacing along the side of the glass. The aroma is sweet, with a grain like scent. Others have said that they have picked up a cocoa scent but I think it may be a stretch. Has a nice taste to it, nothing overly exciting but is good. Notice malt flavors up front but nothing overwhelming, along with some spiciness. Has a dry finish to it as well as nice carbonation. Might be picking up a cocoa taste, but I am not sure if it is the spices or not? Over all it is a pretty good beer, very easy drinking. I would get this brew again, seems like a nice brew just to sit back with and enjoy.
Oct 20, 2006
Photo of ybnorml
Reviewed by ybnorml from Rhode Island

3.37/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A amber /yellow beer with a slight haze. Has a small creamy off white head. The aroma starts with a cereal grain malt note with some nutlike undertones and a hint of chocolate wandering around in the back. A very light ale with some grassy note in the front. Followed by a chilli character and a hint of chocolate in the finish.
Oct 14, 2006
Photo of rousee
Reviewed by rousee from Massachusetts

3.37/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Pours a dark amber color with a hint of brown to it.
Malty smell up front wiith saltwater and some cidery aspects. Reminds me more of a pale ale in terms of smell. No noticeable chocolate or spices on the nose.

Taste is malty and bready up front with a slight woody hops presence. There is a fairly mild subdued finish of chocolate powder almost like Hersheys powder that gives it a noticeable sweetness. Fairly pleasant but it doesnt really do it for me. Its a different style so its hard to review it as compared with others of this type. I dont know of any others that are similar to this. Its okay but I dont think I will be buying it again.
Oct 07, 2006
Photo of Enola
Reviewed by Enola from North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This beer is about the color of an October maple leaf. There is a slight head. The smell is of honey and hops. The taste is like a herbed beer mixed with an winter warmer with just a hint of ipa. The taste again reflects the honey and spices. The mouthfeel is smooth with no harsh aftertaste. I could drink this beer again.
Sep 05, 2006
Photo of GDMFSOB
Reviewed by GDMFSOB from Massachusetts

2.78/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A very interesting and complex description for such an ordinary beer. Very thin with a slight chocolate/caramel nose. Taste is about the same. The only thing I'm impressed with is the 6.5 % ABV, which is almost unbelievable once you realize that this beer is closer in characteristics to a clear soda than a good ale. I appreciate the creativity, but not the actual beer.
Jul 13, 2006
Photo of JMH_
Reviewed by JMH_ from New Jersey

3.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a semi-hazy orange colour with a mild head that is a touch sticky but relatively tame overall.

The aroma is a pleasant mix of earthy chocolate malt and a sweet hop background along with a touch of caramel as well.

Flavour is basically more of the same, with more of a cocoa than chocolate flavour leading the way, but balanced with faint hops. Mouthfeel is somewhat crisp but also somewhat thin.

This one was alright overall. A bit different but not terribly daring and nothing to rave about. It's worth a try.
Jul 06, 2006
Photo of hopsaplenty
Reviewed by hopsaplenty from District of Columbia

3.36/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
22oz brown bottle, no date information.

Clear faded amber. Thick dimpled washed khaki head that slowly settles leaving no lacing and just a smattering of head dust. Sheeting walls of carbonation. Light spice nose with some malt sweetness, but otherwise well restrained. Modest malt presence with some subtle chocolate, more like the paper that wraps baker’s chocolate, rather than the chocolate itself. More of a hop spicieness as well, instead of a selection from the spice rack, but still relatively low profile. The finish is non-existent and perhaps a bit musty. Medium to light body with fuzzy carbonation. According to the label, this was inspired by Xocolatl, an Aztec beverage. Not too bad overall.
Jul 04, 2006
Photo of Phatz
Reviewed by Phatz from Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a cloudy golden yellow color.

Smell: What smell? It seems to have left.

Taste: The bottle really sold "flavors inspired by ancient Aztecs ... yada yada yada..." And in reality it was a simple grain and pale malt taste on the palate that was either approachable and friendly or boring depending on which adjective you pick. It had a dry finish with a few spices showing up in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: effervescent mouthfeel light.

Drinkability: There is nothing about this beer that really stands out (either good or bad). It is simple and light; it is refreshing and not much more. This is a summertime drinking beer in my opinion.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!
Jun 29, 2006
Photo of ppoitras
Reviewed by ppoitras from Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle from BeerBeing as part of UTBIF. Thanks for the opportunity.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 3/8" off-white head above the clear light orangey amber brew. What head there is hangs around pretty well, with plentiful sticky lacing. Aroma is lightly of pale grains, hops and spices. Taste is pale malt sweetness, coupled with some light chocolate notes, a twinge of hops, and not much else. Mouthfeel is super smooth, and drinkability is much higher than I would have expected for a chocolate, spiced rbew, but this seems to be because the choclate and spices are slight. A good beer, just falls short of what they advertise it as, to my taste buds anyway.
Jun 20, 2006
Photo of sabrills70
Reviewed by sabrills70 from North Carolina

3.44/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz brown bottle with no freshness date. Pours a light amber with very little head or lace. Decent malt aromas mixed with orange and some vanilla. Again big malt flavors with orange. Chocolate is very subdeud, it is noticeable but not overwhelming at all. Clean crisp and slightly fruity. Actually a decent summertime beer, not a lawnmower beer but just easy drinking.
May 20, 2006
Photo of SaCkErZ9
Reviewed by SaCkErZ9 from South Carolina

3.53/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 22oz bottle into a pint glass. Light copper colored beer emerges. A light, white head forms at a pretty good size and leaves nice lacing on the glass.

Aroma is average at best. Caramel malts. Smells a lot like a lager. Very limited if any chocolate aroma.

Taste is quite nice. Some chocolate in there as well as some caramel and toffee and even some nuttiness as well. Interesting taste I guess. Chocolate is barely noticeable but brings a different flavor to the party. Most chocolate beers have distinct choc; this is more subdued and is mostly just as accent of sorts.

Mouthfeel is very light and crisp and pretty refreshing. An enjoyable beer. Nice drinkability as well. Could use a little more body and some malt flavor, but a nice beer all told.
May 17, 2006
Photo of JMD71
Reviewed by JMD71 from Massachusetts

3.13/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Rich, golden color. Small head when poured which recedes quickly. Light penetrates the pint glass & makes a wonderful shine inside. Looks refreshing...

Aroma: Little aroma, but can detect slight hints of honey & possibly clove. Not any cocoa in the nose as far as I can tell. Possibly hints of coriander or cinnamon.

Taste: Slightly sour flavor with malty body. Light bodied & fresh. Not sure if I love the flavor, though. Taste is sort of bland for what I was expecting. Clean finish....

Mouthfeel: Fresh, clean & crisp on the palette.

Drinkability: It is refreshing as I initially thought from the appearance. Very easy drinking. Welcome after a hot round of baseball with my son....

Comments: This is a goo, refreshing golden ale, but nothing extraordinary as expected from the description. Just average IMHO. I would drink if offered, but don't think I'd go out of my way to find this one...
May 14, 2006
Photo of Sycodrummer
Reviewed by Sycodrummer from Massachusetts

3.64/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from the black bomber into a pilsner glass the beer was a rich golden color with copper hues throughout. One finger of white fluffy head head sat atop the beer and carbonation bubbles streamed to feed the head throughout the sample.

The nose was a little weak but some maltiness and spice were detectable. Also, a slight cocoa power type aroma. Not a stout chocolate smell but much, much more subtle.

The taste has a firm maltiness to it with hints of cocoa throughout the sample. A slightly grainy finish with some bready flavors and slight caramel finish. Some mild spiciness to the beer with cinnamon being what I detected most.

Medium body with about average carbonation.

When I first heard of this beer (as it was in the production stage) it was described to be as a Mexican chocolate lager. At first I though what?!?! (Chocolate Corona?!?!), but then began to think that some Mexican breweries put out a Vienna Lager (Dos XX Amber, Negra Modelo, etc) and this began to make some sense. My two cent is that this beer mimics a Vienna Lager very closely in taste and body. Its drinkable, but not memorable. Enjoyable indeed, but nothing I'll miss when the last bottles are gone.
May 03, 2006
Otter Creek World Tour: Cerveza Cacao from Otter Creek Brewing
Beer rating: 79 out of 100 with 32 ratings