Mexican Cake: Drink Fresh?

Haven't tried Mexican Cake but if it's similar to Hunahpu then I would prefer it fresh. The chilis, vanilla and cinnamon fade a lot with age. I can see someone ageing it if they aren't big on the chili flavors or something. But if you haven't tried it before why would you age it?

 

I have had it twice already and can definitely say drink it fresh - the longer you wait, the more that the Habenero flavor will fade and turn into more of an earthy note. It has such an amazing balance of flavors right now that I would not want to have that balance fall apart by cellaring a beer made to drink fresh.

It is a phenomenal beer and you will not be disappointed!

*side note* - A few friends and I did a Huna/Abraxas/Mexican Cake blind tasting this weekend. Do not be fooled by this beer's mild nose compared to the others in its category. The flavors on it are wonderful!

 

and the results of the tasting? : )

 

I want to eat a piece of chocolate Mexican cake made with vanilla, cinnamon and habaneros. I didn't know they made spicy cakes.

 

For me it was Huna, then Mexican Cake, and then Abraxas.

Mexican Cake had the best pepper notes on it, but Huna's nose and body was superior. It was also a touch sweeter with more of a milk chocolate taste as opposed to a more dark chocolate taste of Mexican Cake. Abraxas was still very good, but as the peppers begin to fade it is moving into the "Cinnamon Toast Crunch" flavor territory - which isn't bad, it was still very good - but it's not just not as good as it was fresh in my opinion. The nose on Abraxas was still fantastic though. Mexican Cake is just such a well balanced beer for me right now. It has a great chocolate roasty flavor, a creamy mouthfeel with notes of vanilla and cinnamon, and a finish that just rolls right into this great heat that has a slight burn in the back of the throat, but not an overbearing one. Just enough to warm you up.

 

Defiantly drink it fresh. I've had the 1st batch of Mexican cake a couple times in the last 6 months and I definitely prefer it fresh. Doesn't have the same mouth feel as hunahpus but is defiantly one of my favorite beers that come out of south carolina.

 

thanks! i'm getting ready to do this same tasting this weekend. was quite curious.

 

Would like to see your results here after you've done it!

 

I have tried it fresh and aged. I don't really care for the beer either way, but it was definitely better fresh in my opinion.

 

I agree that it does seem ideal for cellaring. I was surprised when I read the label and it suggested drinking it fresh. I was disappointed, it was to spicy for my liking. And I like eating spicy food, drinking spicy not so much.

 

Maybe the abv makes it a candidate for aging but I don't see how the ingredients do. I don't think the risk of oxidation or mellowing would benefit the vibrant flavors in the beer.

 

Yes it was to spicy for me also, perhaps letting it sit the chilies will diminish

 

I like it fresh and aged. It is a lot different after a year. Hardly any pepper left in the original batch but great rich sweetness.

 

I guess it all depends in what you like about the beer. I can't imagine it not being enjoyable after a year or two of cellaring.