Azazel (Chocolate Mint)
Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours a deep dark brown with a half finger of tan head. The nose is distinctly minty with some roasted notes in the background. The roast profile is the backbone of the flavor, but it is well supplemented by the chocolate and the mint flavors. Basically, it tastes like an Andes mint and roasted malt milkshake.

The alcohol is barely noticeable; at 13% that’s awesome and darn dangerous all at once.

All of the flavors deliver as promised without this offering ever seeming to slip out of balance.

My experience with mint infused beers in the past is that they have either been too over the top minty or so subtle that the mint is barely noticeable. In this case, nothing is over-done or under-done – it’s just practically perfect in every way!

 

 

 

 

 

Served on-tap at Al's of Hampden.

A - Pours pitch black with a nice one finger tall tan head, quickly dissipating down to a light film with a strong edge, leaving very small trails of lace on the sides of the glass.

S - Simply put, the fresh picked mint aroma is off the charts. The chocolate, vanilla, dark roasted malt and a bit of booze come through as the mint dies off. The mint is intense, reminiscent of the first batch of Satan's Bake Sale .

T - Starts off with a HUGE dose of cool mint that never fades away. Hints of chocolate, vanilla herbs and dark roasted malt help to balance it as much as possible. Finish is sweet with plenty of cooling mint, lingering long after the finish.

M - Heavy body with moderate carbonation. Huge, creamy feel with a light booze burn at the end of each sip. I was expecting a bit more booze for 13% but the mint hides it well.

O - Well the mint is intense but that was the whole point. The other flavors hold up well but this one is all about the mint. One of, if not the best mint stout I have ever had. If you like mint you will really want to seek this one out.

Growler poured into a tulip. The bree appears black in color with a finger of khaki head that fades to a thin film.

The nose has a pleasant mint quality that is like fresh spearmint mixed with chocolate. A touch of anise and herbal quality emerge as it warms up.

The taste is chocolate liquor with a spearmint quality that reminds me of mint tea. Some chocolate and anise with a bit of herbal flavor into the aftertaste.

This is a medium to fuller bodied brew with a modest level of carbonation. Probably the single best example of mint in a brew that ive tried. Really nice stuff that persists with a minty cooling menthol feel in the aftertaste. Well done.