Hot Chocolate
Fieldwork Brewing Co.

- From:
- Fieldwork Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Foreign / Export Stout
Ranked #16 - ABV:
- 6.6%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #12,036 - Avg:
- 4.06 | pDev: 9.61%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 11
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 24, 2023
- Added:
- Jun 13, 2015
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 11
Hot Chocolate is an ode to the beauty that is Mexican Hot Chocolate. With a base beer consisting of a softly bittered Foreign Export Stout we then added copious amounts of milk sugar, vanilla, cocoa nibs, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and ancho chilies. All of these flavors and spice character are backed up by a huge chewy body; however the restrained sweetness helps it retain its drinkable nature. The upfront chili heat is assertive, but quickly dissipates to the big chocolate character that had previously dominated the nose. Soon after, all flavors have melded, ending with bold cinnamon notes and hints of smoke from the Ancho Chilies.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by RyanK252 from California
4.08/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.08/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Our of the Barrel
A: Pours dark mahogany brown with a frothy khaki head that settles to a thin layer and leaves some spotty lacing.
S: Roasty, chile spice, chocolate, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon, toasty, a little earthy, and some toffee sweetness.
T: Roasty toasty, nice touch of ancho Chiles, milk chocolate, vanilla, spice, nutmeg and cinnamon, a touch earthy, and some toffee sweetness.
M: On the fuller side of medium body, slightly mild carbonation, nice chile warmth.
O: I wouldn't mind a little more roast to balance the sweetness, but it hits the Mexican hot chocolate target. Drinks really nicely on a cool rainy day.
Mar 24, 2023A: Pours dark mahogany brown with a frothy khaki head that settles to a thin layer and leaves some spotty lacing.
S: Roasty, chile spice, chocolate, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon, toasty, a little earthy, and some toffee sweetness.
T: Roasty toasty, nice touch of ancho Chiles, milk chocolate, vanilla, spice, nutmeg and cinnamon, a touch earthy, and some toffee sweetness.
M: On the fuller side of medium body, slightly mild carbonation, nice chile warmth.
O: I wouldn't mind a little more roast to balance the sweetness, but it hits the Mexican hot chocolate target. Drinks really nicely on a cool rainy day.
Reviewed by TheBrewsky from California
2.9/5 rDev -28.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
2.9/5 rDev -28.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
On tap.
L: pours thin watery brown. No head, minimal lacing.
S: cinnamon and nutmeg dominate with notes of coffee and lactose sweetness.
T: straight pepper and cinnamon. It’s strange, I don’t hate the taste, but I don’t care for it either. Chocolate on finish, pepper dominates.
F: light in body and weight. Thin and watery feel. Moderate carbonation, no booze.
O: It’s a unique offering forsure, just not my cup of tea. I am glad to try. Cheers!
Feb 21, 2019L: pours thin watery brown. No head, minimal lacing.
S: cinnamon and nutmeg dominate with notes of coffee and lactose sweetness.
T: straight pepper and cinnamon. It’s strange, I don’t hate the taste, but I don’t care for it either. Chocolate on finish, pepper dominates.
F: light in body and weight. Thin and watery feel. Moderate carbonation, no booze.
O: It’s a unique offering forsure, just not my cup of tea. I am glad to try. Cheers!
Reviewed by CraftBeerRunner from California
4.83/5 rDev +19%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.83/5 rDev +19%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Heat, spice, chocolate, cream - yes! Fieldwork just makes consistently great beer and while their hoppy brews are my usual go-to, this is an excellent and highly drinkable stout! Makes me long for a campfire on the beach!
Mar 12, 2017Reviewed by travolta from California
4.29/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.29/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On nitro at Dead Reco in Arcata, CA.
Appearance: black with a beautiful, solid espresso head.
Nose: some cream and toffee, coffee. Very smooth and fruity with blueberries, chocolate and vanilla.
Taste: the heat is very faint and at the edges and finish. But, it stays with you just the right amount. Melted chocolate, with a light mouthfeel. Not overly malty, which is perfect for this beer.
Notes: you think you want a taste, but you have a pint instead. This was totally drinkable. What a treat!
Dec 12, 2016Appearance: black with a beautiful, solid espresso head.
Nose: some cream and toffee, coffee. Very smooth and fruity with blueberries, chocolate and vanilla.
Taste: the heat is very faint and at the edges and finish. But, it stays with you just the right amount. Melted chocolate, with a light mouthfeel. Not overly malty, which is perfect for this beer.
Notes: you think you want a taste, but you have a pint instead. This was totally drinkable. What a treat!
Reviewed by jakecattleco from California
4/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Heat really overwhelms the other attributes until the beer warms substantially. Tasting was draught nitro, enjoyed but I really like spicy things...so be forewarned. For me, Xocoveza has things more balanced.
Dec 11, 2016Rated by Dsonnyd from California
3.63/5 rDev -10.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.63/5 rDev -10.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Starts great finishes with a hard burn
May 16, 2016
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