Xul
Silver Moon Brewing

 

I've had a few Mexican hot chocolate style stouts, but this one has to be the best one I've tasted yet.

Pours with a dark espresso body and a centimeter of mocha brown head. a bit of lacing clings to the glass like a dotted outline of rolling hills.

Loads of cacao right up front, with hints of vanilla, warming cinnamon, and a fresh red chili pepper aroma which comes off as both vegetal and fruity. Finishing base notes of oatmeal, cream and cold brew coffee linger on the nose along with the cacao.

So smooth, with a creamy oat presence to cut the cacao bitterness (which is actually light, fresh and balanced), followed by a flare of cinnamon spice , a dried cherry fruit sweetness and a light heat from the chilis. Decadent.

Perfect texture for a stout. Medium-full bodied with a nice lingering dryness and a light charcoal cling on the tongue.

Silver Moon never ceases to amaze me. Salud!

 

 

Poured into a snifter, the appearance was a nice looking dark brown close to black color with some eggshell white foamy head that slid off better than normal for a Mexican stout. Then some wispy concave lace clung to the glass.
The aroma seemed to lean towards a earthy semi-spicy/dry character with some of those peppers moving smoothly in with a fabulous balance to dark chocolate, dark toast and a light whiff of cocoa powder.
The flavor leaned towards a dry earthy sweet tone punching at some woody to grassy peppery spices, quaint, nice. Semi-sticky aftertaste of cocoa powder and dry peppery spice.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sipping quality about it. Good carbonation with some stickiness. Pretty smooth all around with some stickiness. Finishes with earthy to cocoa powdery substance.
Overall, honestly, I can't think straight today, I took too long in trying to review this beer tonight and feel like I may have missed something. Just being honest for me being off kilter.