Que Fuego: El Santo Ardiente
The Bronx Brewery

Pours a clear golden color. A large head soon dissipates but displays good lacing.

In the nose, I immediately sense the heat from the peppers, as well as the tanginess of blood orange. Aromas of bready and caramel malts, graham cracker, honey, pine and grass.

The taste opens with significant graham cracker sweetness, doughy, bready and caramel like. It’s a good thing that the malt presence is thick because it stands up well to the spicy hot peppers. A variety of peppers add the heat, however, not overwhelming as it’s nicely paired with the bright zest of the blood oranges. Furthermore, it is well hopped with assertive bitterness, earthy and grassy. The finish is hot and resiny.

Medium to nearly full, thick and chewy. The peppers provide oily slickness and heat. Carbonation is moderate to gentle.

Not your conventional Saison by any means. Nevertheless, I thought it was an interesting treat, complex and flavorful, albeit not an everyday beer. I especially recommend if you like a little heat in your beer.