The Ferryman (Ghost Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Cocoa Nibs)
Orpheus Brewing

Surprisingly balanced. The Ghost Pepper comes through, but is restrained enough that you get a modicum of heat instead of getting your head blown off, and the fruity flavors of the pepper are nicely complimented by he roast and sweetness of the base beer, and by the warming Christmas cookie notes of the spices and nice roundness of the cocoa. Quite good!

 

Pours a deep burgundy-brown so dark it's shoe polish black producing a hefty 4+ fingers of variously bubbled foam with scattered bubbles so large the head looks like Swiss cheese when viewed through the sides of the glass. The color of this head is the deepest mocha I've ever seen in any beer. Unbelievable presentation while in full head; it unfortunately leaves no appreciable lace, surface cap or collar as it recedes. Aroma is spicy cocoa with a dark grape-like vinous hint swimming in an ocean of burnt dark malts. Sweet and spicy in the nostrils. The taste, fronted by chili pepper and spice, joins hands at mid-sip with dark roast/burnt malt notes of toasted dark bread and deep earthy cocoa. The dark grape vinous hint of the nose comes forth combining with these to produce a very earthy, alcohol, toffee, prune and increased chili, drying finish which transitions into a faintly bitter cinnamon spice and pepper burnt aftertaste. Alcohol is evident in the flavor as it should be for a 10.5 percent ABV but any warmth or spice it imparts is so commingled with the cinnamon and ghost pepper, if it is there, I can't separate it out. This brew has a flavorful and sweetish start but crescendos just after the mid-sip and becomes somewhat flattened in the finish. The carbonation of the pour does not show its intensity in the mouth. Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied, chewy with a crawling spicy bite that can be felt on the sides and back of the tongue as well as in the throat. As with many such high octane stouts this one improves in flavor as it warms. By virtue of its reputation I was a little fearful of the ghost pepper but to tell you the truth this chili beer is pretty mild compared to some of the others I've had brewed with habanero or Scotch Bonnets. Surprising since ghost pepper is further up the Scoville Scale! Unless you are especially sensitive to chili spice/capsaicin this IS NOT one to steer away from. Give it a try.