Coco Delicioso
Platform Beer Co.

 

Another almost as black as black, but brown liquid, now decanted from a pint can into a clear glass liter mug. Much fluffy beige head quickly recedes, leaving very little glass lacing. The aroma is an interesting blend of cocoa and peppery spices. The body is light, but the pepper hit is not. This warms the innards as it goes down, although it's not particularly hot to the tongue. No doubt, the 8.5% ABV also contributes to that warming sense, yet the alcohol isn't an issue for the taste. It's a little thin for the mouthfeel and chocolate is a distant taste feature. But, the pepper compounds to a noticeable level as the pint is consumed and that is great for a lover of spicy beers. If you like heat in your beer, you'll be forgiving when it comes to the lack of body, advertised chocolate taste and a good hit of roasted malt. They aren't well represented. This isn't overly "hot" like the apparently retired Safeword by Free Will, but there are enough Scoville Heat Units within to make it a good hot pepper beer.

Sampling a cold 16 oz can poured into a snifter. the beer pours a cola brown color with a creamy tan head of .5 cm. the foam fades quickly to a sturdy edge layer and one large creamy island in the center of my glass.
The beer gives off a fairly mild aroma with a little dark chocolate and some vanilla notes and hints of cinnamon. HOnestly a little disappointed with the mildness of the nose. No bad scents, but its simply more mild than I had hoped.
The first sip reveals a medium body and sort of slick texture. Lighter body than I expect for an Imperial Stout.
The carbonation is fine and a little tingly but that could also be a little of the heat from pepper or cinnamon notes.
the flavor is a little more bold than the nose I get a lot of dark chocolate and some mocha note with a vanilla. This then rolls to some cinnamon and hot pepper. The heat lingers on the back of my throat long after each swallow.
The amount of heat is not oppressive, and is probably the right amount for the style. I do find that the heat makes me pause before taking a next sip.
I think this beer is fine and hope it doesnt end up creating heartburn for me. The nose disappointed me, but the flavor is fine. Not an amazing beer but its not a drain pour either.

Personally I don't have much to compare this to I think the clown shoes did a really good one but it was over the top sweet. This one is quite balanced smooth cocoa chocolate with just a hint of vanilla and marshmallow sweetness but cut through all that is a very balanced but intense pepper heat. Not strong but it does linger more than I expected. The 8.5% is balanced and smooth but I'm not sure if I would be able to session more than one. Still for about three fitty this beer is quite good

Canned on 11/18/20. 16oz can poured into a tulip. Pours almost black; small khaki head that fades leaving decent retention and lacing. The aromas are pretty mild. Lots of malts along with some hints of cocoa. Mild hints of vanilla and marshmallows. It doesn't smell bad, it just doesn't really smell like anything. The flavors are much bolder than the nose indicates. Nice chocolate notes. Some cinnamon coming through. Very solid heat and spiciness, but it's not overly spicy. Some pepper flavors in the mix. More hints of vanilla in the mix. Malts do their thing. Any alcohol notes that might be there are cancelled by the spiciness. Mouthfeel is full-bodied with moderate to active carbonation. It's sharp, fluffy and smooth.

This is a pretty solid "Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout". Perfect amount of heat, in my opinion. It's not over the top spicy, but the heat isn't mild. I just wish there was a little bit more going on in the aroma department, but oh well. They did a nice job with this one. It's probably better than my "numerical score" might indicate.