Smoke Signal - Chipotle Infused
Swamp Head Brewery

 

 

On tap at the brewery. Pours dark brown to black with a small off white head. Aroma of the smoke I love so much in the regular version, some light chocolate, roasty malts, and just a hint of chili in there. Flavor follows with mostly smoke and light chocolate, but then a dry hit of the chili flavor coming in and mingling alongside the smoke. The chilies are light, which is good, and they really just accent the smokiness of the beer rather than give it a bunch of heat. Mouthfeel is a solid medium with medium carbonation. A really nice infusion of chili here that doesn’t go over the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arrives very dark brown and opaque with a light tan head. Retention isn't so great and there is no lace.
Smell is smoky, ashy, toasted (almost burnt) malt. A bit less complex than I expect. No pepper noe at all.
Taste is toasted malt, light pepper (mostly after the swallow), light toffee and hops. Better than the smell for depth.
Mostly full bodied with a ln effervescence slightly under medium and all up front. A good brew but in need of some tweaking.

 

 

 

 

appearance: deep dark brown nearly black, nice dark brown head retention

smell: coffee, loaded chocolate, smokey wood

taste: tons of dark raw chocolate, some woody notes but not barrel aged, balanced smoke and pepper heat, well done

mouthfeel: full bodied

drinkability: It's not easy to balance heat and smoke. Well done! I love this brewery's smoke beers. Keep em coming please.

A - Poured with two fingers of dense, dark foam. Styles slowly and leaves delicate lace. Dark brown body.

S - Dark chocolate, raisins, fig, smoke, and peppers. Really nice, I can't get enough of the aroma!

T - Caramel and smoky toasted malt up front. Some dark fruit and spiced rum comes out in the middle. Dark spicy notes continue in the finish with molasses and more smoked plums.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation and a slightly sweet finish.

D - I'm stunned; it is spicy, smoky, and complex with a level of drinkability that is exceedingly rare in a beer that is this interesting. This is one of the best smoked beers that I have ever had and easily stands up to the likes of Schlenkerla. The chili character blends in perfectly with the malt and manages to add complexity and dark, fruity character without giving the beer any unpleasant hotness or other harsh characteristics that lead to most chili beer qualifying as little more than novelty. This is excellent and I sincerely hope I get the chance to try it again.

This is their Alderwood smoked porter infused with chipotle

A- Dark brown body with a small tan head

S- Smoked wood for certain, it's quite aromatic

T- Smoked maltiness and woodiness give it a dry finish. The chipotle flavor and heat begin to come through as this beer warms

M- Medium-bodied with a good level of carbonation but it's a bit watery in the finish

D- Letting this warm up a bit is the way to go as it is then a much more interesting beer than out of the tap. I will certainly give this another shot if I'm able to with its limited release