West Side Popper
Wabasha Brewing Co.

 

 

While pouring I noticed a lack of a head forming so I finished aggressively. Ended up pouring clear copper color with a thin white cap that dissipated quickly. Minimal lacing. Aroma roasted malt and jalapeno pepper. Flavor follows the nose, sweet green bell and jalapeno peppers, a whisp of smoke and caramel malt. Feel was disappointing in a near lack of carbonation. Overall, a great concept without bringing home the bacon. My can was undated, I'd like to give it another go as I picked up a single only.

16oz can into a pint glass.
L: Pours a thickish murky medium caramel color w/some yellow sediment chunks and a thin off white creamy head that has decent retention. Low carbonation & minimal lacing in this example.
S: Caramelized malts, musty jalapeno pith & seeds, subtle smoke, a hint of toffee.
T: A light earthy hop bite at the front, caramel malts, toffee, smoked grilled jalapeno peppers, light pepper heat in the throat, dry waffle, light yeast, gently sweet.
F: Thick, creamy, heavy-bodied mouthfeel with a smooth med-length finish that has light capsaicin heat lingering. Not at all hot.
O: A very good tasting and interesting Pepper Cream Ale that is overall fairly malty and stays with you. It's ingredients and flavors are well balanced and it is very good in it's style.

 

 

Pours a light gold, smell is of peppers and malt. Taste is pepper forward, malt finish, some heat but not bad. I was reluctant to try it based on the description, but it is good. 17 IBU.

Smokey jalapeno flavor with just a bit of heat.

I cannot stop drinking it.

On tap at Can Can Wonderland. Poured a dark golden color with a small, white head of foam. It smelled of chillies, caramel and toffee. Spicy heat up front that lingers on the tongue. Subtle caramel sweetness.

Adding this review several months after trying/rating to say that I find myself thinking about this beer and craving it from time to time. Delicious, smoky, more subtle and drinkable than expected. Nicely done. Glad to live near this spot.

Pours a light golden color. Smell and taste had a great balance of smoke,pepper, and malts. Mouth feel was smmoth a nd clean a superb addition of smoke and heat , very impressed.

A great pepper beer! Lightly roasted malts and specialty grains with the addition of wood smoked jalapenos give a nice smoky, jalapeno aroma and flavor while remaining true to the style. Not overly spicy, just a hint of heat at the end.

 

It has a nice smoky jalapeño flavor still allowing the cream ale base to come through. Very well balanced and a gold medal winner at U.S. Open beer championships 2018.

Poured from 22oz bottle into glass. No known bottling date. I'm sure this bottle had been sitting on a shelf at Haskell's/Bloomington for quite some time.
Clear, pale gold colored body. Persistent creamy white head, which leaves behind webs of lacing.
Smells like light malts, but the vegetal aroma from the jalapenos is very much there.
Taste is slightly sweet at the beginning but then the peppers comes in with some heat (leaves a little stinging at the tip of the tongue). Has a vegetal taste from the peppers, along with the malts, and a slight touch from earthy hops.
Fuller, creamier mouth feel. Very good carbonation. No bitterness.
Quite a well done balance of the creamier ale feel with the heat from the peppers. Must like the taste of hot peppers in beer in order to enjoy this one. Coats the mouth and throat, and the heat sting induces another quick sip for relief, which starts the whole cycle over again.

Pours a slightly hazy, pale amber/yellow colour. Smells like Light malts and fresh jalapeños. Tastes like fresh jalapeños, light malts, bitter hops, crisp, with a faint capsaicin spice.