Mala Vida
Companyia Cervesera del Montseny

 

 

06/28/20 bottle @ home

This is a totally new one for me, obtained via delivery from an online site during The Plague of 2020.

The look is not a problem for me. It is suitably dark and inky for a stout. But there is almost no head, and very thin lacing, which may bother some people.

I like the fragrance. But I'm not sure how to describe it. Sort of chocolate with a hint of the chili pepper that is supposed to have been added to the brew. I find it intriguing; others may find it medicinal.

The flavor is anything but bland. I can taste the chilis, but only because it's on the label. I'm not sure I'd have recognized it otherwise. The chilis do not overwhelm. The main tone for me is dark bitter chocolate. I'm not fond of dark bitter chocolate - in candy. But I like it quite a lot in stouts.

Mouthfeel is moderate to thick. Not quite creamy, but maybe approaching creaminess. Carbonation is moderate in spite of the lack of a head or much lacing.

Never having studied Spanish, I can only guess that the name of this stout would translate into something like "bad life." But I may be wrong.

Overall, this stout is not something I would drink often. It's maybe a bit too flavorful. But it's good enough that I would drink it on special occasions.

 

 

 

 

Tried on recommendation of a store rep. 2018 bottle poured moderately, room temp to a tulip glass. Fast effervescent mocha head that faded to a tiny ring. Lacing is much more lasting than I expected, considering how fast the head burned down. Nose is dark chocolate, some soy, and what I surmise is sherry, as I’ve never had sherry before. First sips are biting, boozy, and astringent. I get a cocoa powder dryness, again with a bitter twang which could be the sherry. Mouthfeel is in the middle for viscosity, with a lasting linger of...metallic soy? Very hot up front. Not very pleasing fresh. Maybe this is one of those “must age before drinking” beers. I’d rather spend my dollars elsewhere.

 

My first from Montseny. This brewery in Catalunya is working hard to craft tastes for a part of the world that is mostly used to lagers for refreshment. A good effort.

But, Mala Vida still must be judged against the competition and this IS does not have much extraordinary going for it.
While it has most of the barrel flavors (oak and vanilla-likes) and the typical IS flavors (chocolate, coffee, sweet malts), the alcohol is right in my face and on my tongue. This is a lack of subtlety that the really good IS have figured their way through.

Would I have Mala Vida again? No. There are too many good ones stateside. Would I try another from Montseny? Try me.

 

This stout has so much coffee aroma and flavor that I was afraid that it actually contained coffee when I drank as the very last beer of the night. It didn't and I enjoyed it, however I am not the biggest coffee fan and there you go with the score.

Bottle date 1/1/17.

Inky pour, looks kinda like cola, no head.

Huge boozy presence on the nose, some chocolate, fig, dark syrups. Some odd aromas of soured fruits too. I could swear it's barrel aged but I can't find it on the bottle anywhere.

Flavor is a bit of an enigma. Tons of booze out front, bordering on nail polish-like, followed by a wave of sweet, spoiled fruits; some chocolate dumped on top, maybe sprinkled with coffee grounds. There's so much spoiled fruit here, it's distracting.

Feel is hot and moderately carbonated. A touch slick. Mostly hot.

Overall, I wouldn't return. I popped this based on the reviews here - I didn't get any almond, barely any chocolate; just a TON of spoiled, soggy fruit and lots of alcohol.

 

 

Saw this on the menu at Amada in Philly and being a stout fan I had to try it. Honestly did not know it was 11% until I had a few sips and read the label on the bottle. Could not taste the alcohol at all. The smell and taste is sweet chocolate, roasted malt and notes of figs and burnt almonds. Was very surprised how good a Spanish stout could be.

 

 

From Club del Gourmet of El Corte Ingles. In Teku glass. Watching Ultima Oportunidad 1x03-04. Too much alcoholic and lacking redeeming qualities. It even has some unpleasantness in its taste. Dont understand the good reviews