Schticky - Mexican Hot Chocolate
Claim 52 Brewing

Schticky Mexican Hot Chocolate– from Clain 52. Received from @snaotheus in a ninja strike during BSBIF#1. Reviewed 26/01/24 (Review 3231). Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Stamped on bottom of the can “12/08/21”. Stored at 34 degrees at home. Served at 57.3 degrees F in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature was 61.7 degrees F.
Appearance – 4
First pour – Deep Amber (SRM 15), slight haze.
Body – Ruby Brown (SRM 24), opaque. Under direct light, same. When rear-lite, light penetration at the edges, ruby.
Head - Average (Maximum 2.7 cm, aggressive center pour), fawn but quickly oxygenating to wheat, high density with a few rocks, average retention, leaving a 0.3 – 0.5 cm crown constantly being renewed by carbonation, and a thin, complete cap.
Lacing – Poor. Just a single broken narrow band.
Aroma – 4 – Weak vegetal aroma. No yeast, no hops, no malt, no alcohol (11 % ABV as marked on the label).
Flavor – 4.25 – Begins sweet with cocoa but quickly switches to chili heat, quite mild. No yeast, no hops, no malt. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. No ethanol. Mild warming from the hard palate to the gastric mucosa due to the chilis. There seems to be a sort of cinnamon/peppery bite at the end.
Palate – 4.25 – Medium; creamy; soft carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 4.25 The chilis have become dominant, overwhelming any other flavors formally present, except for the initial chocolate and the terminal cinnamon. Still, chilis rule. Thanks Ryan!

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing nearly opaque black in the glass with a half finger medium khaki head with good retention and nice lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, chocolate, cinnamon and some unexpected cherry. Flavor is dark toasted malt, chocolate, cinnamon, mild hot pepper and fleeting cherry notes. Mexican chocolate finish. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. A flavorful Mexican hot chocolate inspired stout, with great south of the boarder chocolate character and deftly used hot chili peppers, which add a little heat and flavor without dominating the flavor. Not sure what the cherry notes are I detect; very clear in the aroma, but fleeting in the flavor, perhaps an effect of the chilis used giving a fruit ester hint. Lots of good flavors here without being too busy and a authentic tasting Mexican chocolate character. Nicely done.

can into glass
Thin, light brown head. Very dark and opaque brown look. Sweet and fragrant, vanilla and yes, a dark chocolate aroma. Immediate chili warmth to the initial taste that also lingers into the finish. A spiced caramel and chocolate flavor comes through after the warmth fades a bit, with the vanilla taking a backseat. There is some sweetness and the mouthfeel is moderately thick.

 

16 oz can from Westside Taphouse.
Really impressive looking beer in the glass. Pitch black body with a huge ,solid tan head.
Really amazing aromas of chocolate cake , dark coffee, and hot cacao.
Taste the same as the aroma but with some really nice chili pepper. Chocolate Cake with coffee and chili!
Mouth feel is thick, smooth and silky. Peppery finish.
A really nice pastry stout.