Mexicake
Tempest Brewing Company

 

 

Black with medium-large grain hazelnut foam that fades quickly. Defined and elegant aroma of cocoa, coffee, cinnamon, vanilla, cherry and spiciness. On the palate there is all the perceived olfactory sensation. There is the sweetness of chocolate, caramel, cherry and vanilla, there are the acidity of the toasts and colored tones of cinnamon and chilli. In the end, the return of cocoa closes the circle of this rich organoleptic journey. The real surprise comes with the persistent spiciness in the aftertaste that together with the robust abv warms every sip with vigor. Medium and velvety body with low carbonation.

 

L- Entirely black, not a photon gets through this. Pours with thin 3mm tan fine-bubble head, clears quite swiftly.
S- Seriously deep roast, toast and coffee.
T- Wow pungent. Rich, deep dark puddingy, coffee notes, charry, hints of smoke and subtle but zingy spices. That was the first sip. And so it continues, with no missing it's 11% ABV. You almost imagine it might be aged in whisky barrels such is the liquorish pungency in it's finish.
F- Rich, heavy, pungent. Brave would be the man who drinks this in summer.
O- Intensely flavoured, this is a very heavy beer, in all facets and respects. There is nothing within it to note out of balance 'or wrong', just be prepared for an extremely heavy well crafted beast. That won't suit some people, it'll be too intense, but for those who enjoy dipping into the deep-end it's verging on OTT but worth a go.
330ml bottle, bought from Beerhawk/UK. BB 29/7/2020.

Mexicake pours a thick and inviting viscous, motor oil black with a full, dark tan head that dissipates leaving a ring around the glass. The smell is sweet with cocoa and vanilla, roasted malts and a chili spiciness. The taste...cherry, I get a cherry characteristic followed by a big chili spice, somewhat smokey with a rich chocolate and a moderate vanilla sweetness.

 

Brewdog Shoreditch. Unique but weird, didn't like the flavors.

 

 

 

 

 

Tap @ Brewdog Bristol - Pours jet black with a small thin tanned head. Medium carbonation. Nice lacing. Aroma - Sweet, lactose, vanilla, roasted malts. Taste - Sweet, lactose, dark coffee, roasted malts, vanilla, spices, leading to a light chilli burn, light bitter finish with a little alcoholic warmth. Best chilli based beer I've had, up with Stone Xocoveza, extremely well balanced and a delight to try. Never easy to brew with chilli but they have nailed it here.

 

 

 

 

Pours a very dark opaque umber brown with a small head that died out without lace. Nose is very vanilla heavy. A bit of chocolate and cinnamon coming through, but it is light on stout roasted notes. Lots of big bold flavors here, however. Chilli came through lightly at first, but comes much heavier as the beer warms. More chocolate and cinnamon as well, and the vanilla isn't overpowering as it was in the nose. Probably optimal at cellar temp as the chilli is a bit too much at room temp. Very good beer.