Black Gold - Red Dawn
Central Waters Brewing Co.

Pours a pure black color and settles as such in the glass with mahogany brown on the edges and a sudsy tan head that lingers just a bit. Looks great in the glass.

The description of the beer warns of a heavy dose of habanero peppers, and the nose foretells of the awaiting heat, with an herbal spicy pepper note accompanying rich milk chocolate and bourbon notes.

I am absolutely terrified and excited at the same time.

The taste removes the mystery - the habanero peppers are forward and quite proud of the heat they pack, both forward and at the back of the palate - but the beer is saved by the balance provided by the rich milk chocolate, roasty malt and - surprise! - the barrel. Phenomenal stuff.

The mouthfeel is rich and edges toward creamy. This isn’t for anyone that doesn’t like a pepper/chili beer, but if you do, this is more than worthy of your consideration.