Chili pepper in beer

I actually came to recommend the Chicolate Sombrero. I love it!

 

I like beers that use it as a subtle accent to increase complexity in harmony and in balance with other notes, such as in a handful of imperial stouts I've tried that have some chilies in them.

I don't like them when they are the focus of the beer. Looking at you Ghostface Killah and Billy's Chilies. Those seem like a gimmick to me and aren't enjoyable.

Then there are ones in between that are hit or miss. At Hunahpu this year there was a habanero mango IPA that I really liked. The pepper was definitely assertive, not just an accent, but it was offset nicely by the mango.

 

I agree with that - it was something of a mess, but I think the pepper component was OK. Kinda sorry I bought the barrel aged version too, but I don't think it will be a total loss.

One I had that I enjoyed a lot was The Vixen from Boston Beer Co. - the pepper would kind of sneak up on you - not over the top. Also Reunion 2011 - had the nice, subtle heat the melded nicely with the other flavors. It's a matter of taste, like anything, but I can't imagine enjoying something that was really heavy-handed when it comes to bringin' the heat. Should compliment, not dominate but YMMV.

 

no mentions of Tyranena' Benji's Chipotle Smoked Imperial Porter yet?

excellent beer, i thought. gets a 90 average here.

 

Not sure, though I still have an 11.11.11 sitting in my cellar. Need to get around to opening it now that I'm 7 months or so past the intended consumption date...

 

I actually like Ghost Faced Killah straight, but I'm a fan of chilis so it's not that bad to me. Has a great raw chili flavor.

 

Spicy Bohemian Pilsner from Throwback Brewery is a really nice take on a chili beer.

 

This is all you need to look for if you like chili in your beer.

 

Here's another one
http://www.horseheadsbrewing.com/Beers/Hot-Jala-Heim.htm
Only available in upstate NY

 

New Belgium's' Cocoa Mole is also a tasty pepper beer - very similar to Odd Sides Mayan Mocha Stout.

 

Mannenliefde by Oedipus in Amsterdam is pretty good. Lemongrass and chili pepper, if I remember correctly. Much more subtle, but still present. Had it on tap at In Der Wildeman and was quite happy with it.

 

Chili beers are probably one of the more divisive beers out there. The reviews on the same beer can be all over the place. I think there probably are theree reasons for that: (1) Palates differ, (2) my enjoyment of a chili beer can vary dramatically depending on what kind of mood I am in (though I can recognize this now and not drink one when I don't want that flavor), and (3) mismatching it with a meal. As has been said before, beers should complement, so drinking a chili beer with spicy food doesn't make a ton of sense (though opinions may vary). I often think the second issue is the most important in any beer, but that's just me.

If you are looking for some more to try, I think Sam Adams The Vixen is a great entry chili beer. I love Clown Shoes Chocolate Sombrero. I also very much enjoyed Stone Smoked Porter with Chipotle.

 

Agreed. To me, Habanero Sculpin is the best I've had. It seems to be really hard to get the heat/natural flavor balance right and Habanero Sculpin nails it.

 

Yeah, though for me, it doesn't really balance as a chili IPA. The IPA sort of gets hidden because of the spice so darn powerful.

I will say though that it's really cool to taste habanero that way. Usually spice triggers heat in your tongue, but this stuff literally engulfs your entire throat and back mouth with heat. Fun to try.

 

Habañero Sculpin
Chipotle Cacao Black Marlin Porter
Thai Wahoo

Ballast Point kills it with their chili beers.

 

Bonus: You can always shake it up and use it like a can of mace when things go down. If you're in a place where things just don't go down, consider yourself lucky. And don't shake it.

 

Trade for Prairie Bomb too. Maybe better than Mexican Cake.

 

I've done the same thing! My favorite I've done so far is half an Anaheim pepper and half a jalapeno coarsely chopped and allowed to steep in a Torpedo IPA for 15 minutes. LOVED it!

 

Another vote for Habanero Sculpin. I was hesitant but damn is that a good beer. Intensely spicy, but still full flavored. I'd love to have more of that.

 

Cave Creek Chili beer is the worst beer I have ever had. On the other hand, Apple Brandy Hunahpu is one of the best beers I have ever had - an otherworldly experience. So one cannot paint too broad a brush when it comes to beers with chili peppers in them IMHO. Cheers!