Wicked Weed Barrel Aged Xibalba

Wicked Weed Barrel Aged Xibalba - Imperial Pumpkin Ale with Cacao Nibs, Chiles and Spices (2016)

Brewed and Bottled by Wicked Weed Brewing in Asheville, NC.

Fall Seasonal-Limited Release / 12.7 fl. oz. / $11.99 USD / 9.5% ABV

About: "We meant to create something civilized. Honestly, we did. Under midnight skies, we imbued him with the velvety darkness of the cacao, the smoldering fire of chilies, the power of pumpkin, and the nuance of spices. However, our combination created an other-worldly beast, one whose intensity we could only hope to contain. We fearfully crammed him into our bourbon oak chambers. We heard him scream throughout the nights, and lay awake in terror as the barrels creaked. One moonlit night, our worst fears were realized, Xibalba burst forth, his power and strength surging beyond imagination. We fled in horror as he ransacked the temple, the subtle sent of bourbon ad spiced laying a civilized backdrop to the utter carnage." OK.

Thoughts: Bottled: 8/30/16. Drank: 9/23/16.

The head on this beer fizzled away in mere seconds, but as I sit down to write this review I look over at the glass and see an absolute fucking abundance of miniature carbonation bubbles rising up by the millions! I've seen tiny bubbles before, but this one tops them all. This beer has the smallest damn bubbles I've ever seen in my life. And they're just blasting upward so incredibly fast, I'm telling you it's cool as hell. I see a couple floaties roaming through the night skies of this brew as well, every so often one will stray from the bubble path and drift off. And this beer in a dark sumbitch as well. Not pitch black by any means, but a seriously dark raspberry brown that is just dark as night. Color is mostly visible around the edge of the glass.

The scent on this one is great. Very boozy... and man oh man do I loves me some booooze! Hot dayum. Bourbon oak barrels and this beer accompany each other mighty finely may I just say so ourself. It's rich, strong, creamy, spicy in more ways than one and guaranteed to send a blast to the face upon first gulp. It's also very candy like. The cacao, pumpkin and spices give off the sensation of munching on Halloween chocolates. And just around the corner from that are the chiles that no doubt take this one to the next level. Incredible. I'm gonna drink it.

As soon as this beer hit my lips I found it to be way f'n more mellow than I expected. First off, no real evidence of alcohol burn which is nice. That kind of thing doesn't really turn me off, but it does for some, so it's interesting at least to note. It's got a nice semi-sweet malty base, very pumpkin mash and shaved chocolate truffle, and it's all engulfed in that toasty bourbon. Swallow each gulp and you're hit with the chiles and spices that kinda just bounce around and tingle on the tongue. Top notch stuff. Four sips in and I'm feeling fire light inside. Aftertaste is a little grassy, and that's where the bourbon in here really lingers. I would have preferred the chili and spice to dominate the aftertaste and not the woodsy booze haze but that's an absolutely minute fucking compliant if even it is one.

Overall this beer is pretty sweet for what it is, it's got strong flavors and the barrel aging is really imparted into it. There's really not much more you can ask from this beer, but I'll give it a try. I would have preferred a little more emphasis on some cinnamon and nutmeg, but oh well. I would really like to try the original concoction of this beer, though I haven't come across it yet. My guess would be that the spices are a lot less subdued due to not being barrel aged. Though I love my fair share of barrel aged beers, I have been known to enjoy their original counterparts a little moreso. We'll just have to wait and see. Final thoughts: Recommended. Grab a bottle and treat yourself.

Night Shift Viva Habanera

Night Shift Viva Habanera - Rye Ale brewed with Agave Nectar and Aged on Habanero Peppers (2012)

Core Lineup Brew (Special Edition, Version 4a: Brewed Once).

25.4 fl. oz. / $12.99 USD / 7.2% ABV

About: "Brewed with rye malts that bring their own natural spice, this invigorating cerveza gets its zesty kick and peppery flavor from habanero peppers that we add after fermentation. Agave nectar, produced in Mexico, helps to sweeten and lighten the body, while our Belgian house yeast strain tempers the beer’s fiery disposition.

Batch #4 - Kappy’s Barrel Series (Release No. 04) - Bottled on 10/18/12: Aged in a bourbon barrel for two months, this is one of our favorite brewery releases to date. Whiskey vanilla and hints of pepper spice in the nose. The flavor itself is ripe with bourbon, oak, rye and and a crisp, peppery burn. We pitched fresh peppers into the beer after  barrel-aging, so there’s no missing the heat."

Thoughts: Cage was tough as hell to unwind, yet the cork slid out easier than any cork I've ever pulled in my life. Poured a very hazy, dark blood red with a light tan head that faded out pretty quickly. This beer is cloudy as all fuck man.

It smells super fruity. Very unexpected. I'm getting pineapple, yeast, rye, a tiny bit of grapefruit, a little bit of funky bubblegum... it doesn't really smell too spicy or much like habanero though, not until it warms up a bit. Later on it's just pepper oil and assorted fruits. Weird, but interesting.

A sour puck on the first bite, and after the swallow a sting in the back of the mouth and throat. It's actually very mild. This is way different than what I was expecting it to be. There's a definite peppery vibe here, but it's sweet to boot. The heat starts to work its way in after a while, but it never gets really spicy or even close to overwhelming... but this is one flavorful beer. There's a burst of spice in every bite, the flavor of the peppers are just so deeply embedded in this beer that it's always there no matter what, giving that unique addition to the main ingredients. Malts are especially strong here and so is the yeast. Rye is the order of the day, and it's got a worthy little backup from those bourbon barrels to develop a nicely done taste. Since I haven't tried any other version of this (there are eight or nine batches so far, with #5 reportedly being the hottest), I can't say whether or not the barrel aging has mellowed the recipe. It says in the description that they added more peppers after the barrels, most likely to compensate for this, but I would still like to try the hottest batch just to see how this one compares.

Mouth has a strange level of foam with each gulp that takes the watery nature of the initial sip to an interesting medium, and then when the tingling from the peppers kick you swallow and it's all but gone. It's pretty clean and dry, but fortunately the small amount of heat and all those flavors stick around for a long time. Very nice.

Too bad this one couldn't be a little more extreme. I would have loved it to burn the shit out of me. For lovers of Rye bread and Juicy Pepper Oil, I'd say grab this if you see it. I'm always on the hunt for beers with heat and well, this one pretty much falls in place with all of the others I've tried so far. Still waiting for the one that kicks my ass. This one may not be it, but it sure is mighty tasty. Smooth too.

Stone Smoked Porter with Chipotle Peppers slash Vanilla Beans

Stone Smoked Porter with Chipotle Peppers (2012)

Limited Release (Brewed Once).

12 fl. oz. / $3.99 USD / 5.9% ABV

About: "Stone Smoked Porter w/ Chipotle Peppers is a thing of spicy glory, with the just-right heat of smoked jalapeños (aka chipotles) that combines beautifully with the beer's peat-smoked malt and roasty character. The idea came about in 2006 when Merchandise Manager Chris Carroll suggested we make a special "South of the Border Stone Smoked Porter" for Cinco de Mayo that year. One sip, and we were hooked! Malts: Pale, Crystal 75, Chocolate, Peat-Smoked / Hops: Columbus and Mt. Hood"

Thoughts: The cap popped off of this one with a high pitched hiss and the beer itself poured a dark reddish-brown with a light, almond colored head.

Aside from the base of the beer, the scent from this one is really different from the vanilla beans version. First off, it's a lot more subtle. Those chipotle peppers aren't really coming through too strong here. It's incorporated into the beer scent pretty well, but I thought it would be coming at me like that vanilla. Which came on strong and heavy. It's got a fiery flare about it overall, but while the vanilla was up front, the chipotle in this version is just an undertone. Mild chocolate and a few coffee beans back it up.

Well, the chipotle is all in the taste, that's for sure. Too bad it's not hot. There's a very nice blend of flavors here though. The peppers add a subtle spice to the whole brew and just add another really awesome dimension to it. It's not much, but definitely an improvement. Hell, anything with a little added heat is always better, that's the way I think. I just wish this one were a little hotter. Chipotles have a really unique taste, but it all seems a bit too far removed here. There's a little bit of grass on the end of this one. Weird, I didn't get that in the other one. Slightly disappointed? If I can find a bottle the day it's made next time then I'll grab it and drink it immediately. If there is a next time! Probably even drink it warm too.

Mouth is a bit watery and just a little frothy.

I enjoyed this, but not as much as the vanilla bean version and honestly I thought it would be the other way around as I love chipotle peppers. Vanilla is cool too I guess though, and wins out in this beer-off.

Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans (2012)

Limited Release (Brewed Once).

12 fl. oz. / $3.99 USD / 5.9% ABV

About: "Stone Smoked Porter w/ Vanilla Bean was the brainchild of Small Batch Brewer Laura Ulrich, who had a stroke of genius after trying Stone Smoked Porter poured over a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream. The complex flavor of Madagascar vanilla beans melds perfectly with the chocolaty  malty, coffee-like character of the beer, making it almost like a liquid dessert, but without an overbearing sweetness. Malts: Pale, Crystal 75, Chocolate, Peat-Smoked / Hops: Columbus and Mt. Hood"

Thoughts: Smoked Porter VB poured a dark reddish brown color with a huge light tan head on top. The bottle didn't make any noise when I popped the cap, but it poured out lookin' quality.

Holy shit this smells awesome! It's like straight up chocolate milk with a touch of vanilla, and a hint of the booze man. It's like, chocolate and vanilla soft serve with marshmallows on top. Or a chocolate milkshake. Damn, that's badass. Minor hint of coffee. Lay back coffee... lay back.

The taste is definitely smokey right off the bat. I'm thinking on first sip that this is one of the best, in not thee best Porter I've drank thus far, though I haven't had many. It's got a certain rawness to the taste. Those vanilla and coffee beans are just mingling in harmony here, then there's that blast of smokiness that comes rushing through the middle. Mild and slightly bitter chocolate notes ride this beer out and there's nothing at all unpleasant about it. Hops take a back seat but start to show about halfway through. Bottom line is that this one is just downright enjoyable.

Mouth feel is pretty watery, there's a lot of froth, and I do wish it could be a little thicker, but it's not a problem. Aside from that it feels like a pretty solid beer. Nicely done. Low bitterness, chocolaty, and that vanilla swirl just takes it to the next level.

Cambridge Brewing 2012 Pumpkin Beer Festival

Freaks, Geeks and Weirdos - and not to mention some Totally Hot Babes - all united yesterday for a fun filled elbow to elbow beer-breath-a-thon in Cambridge, Mass, known as LineFest! Uhhh, I mean PumpkinFest. Well, it was LineFest for anyone who got there after 2:30 PM, as the small venue was jam f'n packed with thirsty hipsters and pumpkin-lovin' nerdlings alike! Everybody was in the pumpkin pool. A couple of times I even stood in line for a few minutes, only to realize that it wasn't even a line. What in the fuck is that? Just a bunch of people standing around near a line that's so bombarded by other lines that it's nothing short of a rabid zombie horde. There were lines everywhere man. People were getting felt up... warm, wet breath hit the back of necks... boobs were grazed... crotches were pressed upon unsuspecting

And did I mention totally hot babes? Well, there were some pretty hot babes there. One girl looked like Mary Jane's slightly thicker sister. She was wearing a hello kitty shirt and was by far the hottest chick at the place (I fell instantly in lust)... she was Gourd-gous! And there were quite a few ladies there in ultra-tight leather and pleather and spandex outfits as Bayonetta, Black Widow and Baroness. OK, they were all Black Widow. Or trying to be. Whatever. The point is they were hot, and babes too. There was also a guy in a low budget homemade old-school Captain America outfit that really looked the part, so well done on him. Oh, and the girl in the red cloak that works there was really jacking my lantern. If you know what I

Also, I don't know if there were really so many hipsters there, or if they were just dressed up that way for the costume party? Hey, is everyone utilizing Belgian Yeast in their beer now? I thought my tongue was playing tricks on me, but apparently not. I rinsed out my cup each time before getting my next beers, but I could still taste that Belgian Yeast! I thought I didn't clean the cup well enough, but in fact it was because nearly every beer I drank at the place has it in it. What gives? Anyways, I got there at 12:30, a half hour before the doors opened, and ended up being in the middle of a huge ass line down and around the block. The last half of my stay at the establishment, people weren't being allowed to enter until someone else left. So that sucks for them... I guess? But I read that you gotta go either early or late to these things so, yeah. Since I like to get my drinking out of the way early

Onto the hot babes beers:

1. The Bruery Autumn Maple - Belgian Style Brown Ale (2012)

Brewed by The Bruery, in Placentia, CA. USA.

4 fl. oz. / 1 Ticket / 10% ABV

About: "Brewed with 17 lbs. of yams per barrel (in other words, a lot of yams!), this Autumn Seasonal is a different take on the “Pumpkin” beer style. Brewed with Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, Vanilla, Molasses, and Maple Syrup, and fermented with our traditional Belgian Yeast strain, this bold and spicy beer is perfect on a cold autumn evening."

Thoughts: Autumn Maple. Alright. Oh, The Bruery. Sweet. This looks to be a  good beer to start with. Autumn Maple poured a thick and cloudy burnt orange color with a small white bubbly head.

It's a light smelling ale, toasty, very lightly spiced.... I'm getting loads of Belgian Yeast. There's a little bit of cinnamon lingering about, and a real subtle blend of spices. For a 10%, I expected more of a scent on this one, not one so mild.

It's very tasty. There's a harsh booze sting on the first sip, and I guess that's where that strength was. I'm really trying to get that maple syrup here, it's what I want to taste. Feel is about a medium  and it's a bit fizzy. There's a sticky quality to this beer, and I guess that's the maple syrup coming into play, but it's not really all too evident in the taste itself. I guess I should expect that by now though. However, the beer is very pleasant tasting, and has a classic type taste for the Autumn season. Gotta love those yams! And it's strong, which is always a plus.

2. Hill Farmstead Autumn Saison - Belgian Farmhouse Ale  (2012?)
Brewed by Hill Farmstead Brewery, in Greensboro, VT. USA.

4 fl. oz. / 1 Ticket / 5.5% ABV

About: "Shaun Hill's 1'st Pumpkin Beer, brewed in collaboration with Jackie O's Brewing Co. and Grassroots Brewing after years of goading from Will Myers. A simple malt bill provides an orange hue. Ben's Pumpkins from Snug Valley Farm provided the requisite squash. The goal: A complex Belgian style pumpkin ale with little to no spicing."

Thoughts: This beer is a very light orange color, especially light compared to the rest actually, but it's still a pretty orange. Kinda murky too. The head was tiny and not condensed at all.

There's a lot of malt in the scent, and it's very straightforward. An underlying Belgian yeast comes up from the back, but overall everything here seems pretty light.

The taste is pretty damn sour. It's very mushy tasting. It gets slightly peppery once that yeast kicks in, and once all the flavors mingle together the beer gets more of a fruity tone about it. Still pretty sour though.

Mouth is light and that sour tone brings on the puckering.

3. Stewart's Brewing Mischief Night - Pumpkin Ale (2012)

Brewed by Stewart's Brewing Company, in Bear, DE. USA.

4 fl. oz. / 1 Ticket / 5.5% ABV

About:  "Many innocent pumpkins met a gruesome fate so that you sadistic people could have your annual spiced treat. We hope you're happy! Straight from the mind of the ‘Beer Admiral’ himself. Head Brewer Rick Hoffman presents a ‘traditional’ spiced pumpkin ale. Rick added over 10 lbs of pumpkin per barrel. Brewed with a touch of Maize for softness, and to fit the harvest spirit. Spiced with a custom blend of whole botanicals including Cinnamon, Ginger, Allspice, Cloves and Nutmeg."

Thoughts: Mischief Night. What a cool name huh? This one poured a reddish-orange with a minimal haze to it. One of the filtered offering of the venue perhaps. The head was pretty frothy, yet faded quickly.

This beer smells really sweet. Kind of like spiced apples, or strawberry syrup! Really cool.

The taste is unique. It's rich and malty, but with a weird kind of tang to it. Not bad at all. It's sweet, spicy and has a a mild sourness to it that creeps up on you.

It's pretty frothy. I'm sure the corn brings it back from being a total malt bomb, but the more you sip this one the sweeter it gets. Is that cloying sweetness? It's a very interesting brew, that's for sure.

4. Elysian Headless Horsey - Pumpkin Brett Beer (2011/2012?)

Brewed by Elysian Brewing Company, in Seattle, WA. USA.

8 fl. oz. / 4 Tickets / 6.7% ABV / SPECIAL TAPPING: 2 PM!

About: "100% Brettanomyces-fermented Pumpkin Ale brewed with Pale and Wheat malts and unmalted wheat. With some time to age, it has become more of an elegant thoroughbred than drayhorse. The inspiration for this beer? They thought of the name first, and knew they had to brew it." What the hell kind of description is that?

Thoughts: Headless Horsey poured a super cloudy auburn orange hue with no head whatsoever, which was weird.

And speaking of weird, this one smells weird as shit too! It's very tart, kinda like pineapple juice. Pineapple juice... and funk. Yeah. Not incredibly pleasant.

The taste is a sour pineapple hit to the mouth. Whew! This is a strange ass beer, man. I'm not really diggin' it all too much. And by the looks of things, the people that just got this brew before me aren't really into it either. There's a lot of strange WTF faces around and some not too flattering banter on this one.

This is the funkiest one so far. Like watered down juice with a double extra tart thrown in, and a touch of funk.

5. Cambridge Brewing Valley Ghoul - Scotch Ale with Pumpkin and Heather Flowers (2011)

4 fl. oz. / 2 Tickets / 8.5% ABV

About: "2011 Strong Scotch Ale with Pumpkins and local barley. Our Valley Girl series of local-ingredient-beers gets ghoulish with barley grown and malted in MA from our Valley Malt BSA. Super rich malt character presides over Pumpkin, Brown Sugar, Molasses, and Heather Flowers in the finish. Subtle, like a swift kick in the kilt. Adding pumpkins was a seasonal no-brainer, and a last-minute addition of heather flowers contributes subtle, delicate floral notes to this robust, malty beer. Enjoy, and Happy Halloween!"

Thoughts: Valley Ghoul poured a dark and gloomy raspberry red / orangy brown color and was very hazy. The head was small due to the pour but lasted a long while.

This smells Awesome! Wait, what the hell... bubblegum just came rushing in. Oh, and loads of booze! It's flowery, and well, just an insane mix of things going on. This is like a Bride of Frankenbeer.

The taste is hard caramel, molasses, and literally tons of brown sugar. This is some serious malt. It's intense. Very sweet, a little peppery, and then those Heather Flowers come in again and it's bubblegum booze.

There's a bit too much bubblegum for my liking, but I did enjoy the hell out of this one while it lasted. And I'm sure there's a market for a beer like this. A weird market.

6. Cambridge Brewing Kraftwerk - Belgian Tripel brewed with Pumpkins and Aged in White Wine Barrels (2011)

4 fl. oz. / 2 Tickets / 9.75% ABV

About: "Kraftwerk is brewed in the style of a Belgian strong ale known as Tripel, but to it we have added hundreds of pounds of pumpkin, along with a very subtle addition of assorted autumnal spices. After a very warm fermentation with our house Belgian ale yeast, Kraftwerk was sent to the CBC Barrel Cellar to age for several months in Sauvignon Blanc barrels where the beer transmogrified into a striking beverage like no other. The result is a classic version of a traditional Tripel, with subtle pumpkin flavors, and notes of oak and a white wine-like finish. The combination of esters from fermentation, barrel aging, and lingering wine character has created a beer with crazy fruitiness, a super dry and sparkling body, and a grape/stone fruit/tropical finish. Simply unlike any pumpkin beer you've ever had."

Thoughts: Werk poured a lighter yellowy orange color with a fluffed white top. The beer is of course quite hazy.

Scent is on the lighter side of things, but really interesting and inviting. It's fruity, and you get a big presence of that white wine. It's pretty cool. Smells a bit like fruit cocktail after a while. Nice.

This tastes excellent! You really get that mix of the oak and white wine straight away. There's a lot of ripe pear, mild squash, and a ton of fruitiness. The spices have all but been lost in the mix, and you wouldn't immediately think of this as a "pumpkin beer", but that flavor is still inherent to the beer. Only muted. Overall though this is a really interesting beer, it has some intriguing layers of taste and it's just "delightful".

7. Cambridge Brewing Fire and Brimstone - Cask-conditioned Ale with Chipotle Peppers and Cacao Nibs (2012)

4 fl. oz. / 2 Tickets / 6.66% ABV

About: "S.A.T.D cask-conditioned with Ancho, Chipotle, and Habanero Peppers, plus Cinnamon Sticks, Cacao Nibs, and Dried Pumpkin Flakes. Rich, chocolaty, smokey and maybe a little hot. You have no one but yourself to blame!"

Thoughts: Yeah, I suppose after that I may as well hit up the beer with the Habaneros in it. Why the hell not wreck the palate after that whimsical brew above.

This beer is dark. It smells harsh. There's tons of chilies in this. A smile, comes to my face.

That's hot. Not only is this beer just spicy as all hell on the first gulp, but it's got a creeper quality about it too, because halfway through that burn is just rushing in and doesn't let up. There's a nice mingling of flavors going on here. The chocolate really takes a backseat to the peppery flavor and the smoke, and for that I am thankful.

Fire and Brimstone is super tasty, has a slight tartness to it, is rich, malty and brings the heat. Did I taste the dried pumpkin flakes? Nah... but whatever.

8. Elysian The Gourdfather - Pumpkin Barleywine (2012)

4 fl. oz. / 2 Tickets / 11.2% ABV

About: "The Gourdfather is a Pumpkin Barleywine you can’t refuse, mellowing with age but still reminding you who’s boss. A veritable pushcart of malt bill brings Pale, Munich, Cara-hell, Cara-vienne, C-15 Crystal and Pumpkin Seeds up against a rival neighborhood armed with Magnum hops. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

Thoughts: Gourdfather poured an auburn red, honey like color with a foamy white head atop.

This smells like red wine. Ah, memories. There's a super strong barley flow to this one, but at the same time the hops and seeds give off this weird otherworldly type scent to it. It smells slightly acidic and maybe a little bitter. It's pretty cool.

The taste is unexpectedly more sweet than I had expected. It was a bit of a shock. There's not much of that red wine vibe in the taste, but rather a booming slam from those malts. It's slightly tart, there's a heavy dose of dark fruit, plums especially, and a lot of sweetness. After a while some caramel notes start to come out and it gets a little twang from that fruitiness and the hops.

Despite being so heavy and rich, this is some easy drinking.

9. Iron Hill Ichabod - Imperial Pumpkin Ale (2012)

Brewed by Iron Hill Brewery, in West Chester, PA. USA.

4 fl. oz. / 2 Tickets / 9.5% ABV

About: "This extra strong spicy Belgian Pumpkin Ale is truly a beer from the farm. It is unfiltered with a beautiful burnt orange color. Ichabod’s nose is filled with flavors of the harvest including Clove, Allspice, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg. The palette is sweet with hints of Roasted Pumpkin, and Caramel. There is a warming finish that is both fruity and aromatic. Over 6 pounds of pumpkin per barrel were added right to the mash. Drink enough and you’ll lose your head too!"

Thoughts: This beer poured a semi-dark auburn haze that's blood orange in color. The head was extremely minimal.

I'm picking up scents of light bubblegum (again!?), toasty malt, a little bit of booze. The spices are light, and aside from that roasted tone to it, it seems pretty mild.

Well, it tastes a bit rubbery. It's malty and the spices are indeed light. Not really too interesting of a beer. It's kind of got this burnt embers mixed with old He-Man toys going on. I've tasted beers with similar problems, and this one isn't too offensive in that area, but it's there. This beer is very boozy, but it's also pretty meh.

Mouth on this one is slightly drying, but I have been ingesting good dose of cinnamon throughout the day. Not to mention that oak. But the drying is just starting to hit after this one particularly so take that into consideration.

10. Stewart's Brewing Gourdzilla - Pumpkin Ale (2012)

8 fl. oz. / 4 Tickets / 8.666% ABV / SPECIAL TAPPING: 4 PM!

About: "This Monstrous Pumpkin Ale is brewed with Radioactive Pumpkins grown at a secret location in the South Pacific, and fermented with Genetically Modified yeast. Gourdzilla is sure to please even the most finicky pumpkin zombies, and still have time to lay waste to Tokyo in its spare time."

Thoughts: Radioactive Pumpkins huh?

Gourdzilla poured a honey gold with orange tones, and featured a frothy light beige head on top. This one's got the biggest head out of all the beers so far. Huh. Must be that "Genetically Modified Yeast"!

The smell starts off with a "traditional" Imperial Pumpkin Ale style scent, which is promising since none of the other beers so far have had this. Spices are present, but a little light, and I can actually smell the water in this one. It's nice.

The taste is very peppery up front. This one isn't too sweet, not too bitter, and while the taste is rich and savory, it feels a little light. There's no kick to this beer, and that's a bit unfortunate. It's the closest thing to tasting pumpkin out of this lineup though, and it's still pretty good.

I guess everything in some way will always be compared to Pumking. If this one had a longer linger to it and a spicier kick, it could very well compete.

11. Cambridge Brewing Grey Ghost - Belgain-Style Double White Ale with Grey Ghost Pumpkins (2012)

12 fl. oz. / 3 Tickets / 6.75% ABV

About: "300 pounds of Grey Ghost heirloom pumpkins from Sylvan Nursery flavor this strong version of a traditional Belgian White Ale, along with Orange Peel, Coriander, and Grains of Paradise. Freshly chopped and shredded, the pumpkin is added to a mash of Pilsner and wheat malt, raw wheat, and flaked oats and fermented with our house Belgian yeast."

Thoughts: Ghost poured a light gold, yellowy orange color. It's slightly hazy and the white head left a ring around the top of the brew for a long while.

The scent is sweet and tart, and of course that Belgian yeast is making an appearance. There's some mild zest and a gentle flow of spice to this one.

The taste, just like the last beer and many other pumpkin beers, is peppery at first. This one has got a heavy taste to it though from that mash. It's also very fruity on the tongue... that orange peel really brings some nice citrusy tones to the brew, and there's almost like a lemon lime thing going on. The wheat and grey ghost pumpkins really blend well and I think adding coriander was a nice choice.

It's slightly watery, and goes down smooth. 

To me, most of these beers are more of an experiment in brewing rather than what's normally classified as a "Pumpkin Ale". These are like "Ale with Pumpkin in it" instead. Of course, I didn't try anything that I have already tasted before when I went to this event. They had Pumking, DFH Punkin, Weyerbacher Imperial Pumkin, Heavy Seas and a slew of others. I forgot to try Wormtown's offerings, but I'm not going to cry over it. What I really wanted to try was the Ultra-Rare Allagash Ghoulschip (a Barrel Aged Sour Pumpkin Ale brewed on Halloween night 2008 and aged in oak!), but they were tapping that at 8 PM and I wasn't going to stay that long. They tapped the Avery Rumpkin about forty-five minutes after I left as well, but I just drank that a few days ago.

I had a real mellow time at this extremely festive event. The overly large Pumpkin Ravioli was a really sweet and good tasting dish, though I should have saved some cash and ate a Sausage with Pumpkin Mustard outside. And it would have been a lot more comfortable it I wasn't rushed off of my table, but they've got time limits set up so I don't really give a fuck. Plus it was hot in there. It was just the hovering that bugged me. I also would have liked the Pint Glass to have the pumpkin design from their previous logo above. It looks a lot more sinister with that jagged mouth. Will I ever go to another one of these? Probably. Will I do reviews? Not sure. I would of loved to have drank tons of Pumking on tap and chased it with Rumpkin, but hey, I like trying the new shit. Maybe next time. Hopefully there will be more Totally Hot Babes for me to

Six Rivers Chili Pepper Spicy Ale

Six Rivers Chili Pepper Spicy Ale - Wheat Ale with peppers added (2012)

Brewed and Bottled by Six Rivers Brewing Co., in McKinleyville, CA. USA.

Year Round Brew(?)

22 fl. oz. / $4.69 USD / 6% ABV

About: "HOT! Spicy ale made with assorted chiles blended with our wheat ale." Not too much info, but found more: "2004 Great American Beer Festival Silver Medal Winner! Our Weatherman Wheat (An American style wheat ale brewed with 50% wheat, Saaz and Hallertauer) infused with Carlos' special blend of fire roasted chiles."

Thoughts: Just look at that funny label and tell me you don't feel a state of exaltation. ;) It started out light in color but developed into a deep orange colored amber with a crackling and bubbly, one-finger head that quickly faded away. This beer is very murky and clouded. The only thing visible is a heavy amount of fast rising carbonation bubbles. 

Scent is light, and full of wheat, but some really great chili peppers are evident. The more I lean in the more I can get freshly chopped jalapenos. This is on of the very few instances where the more I smell the beer, the more I can actually smell it. Which is strange and unusual... though, I myself am... strange and unusual. Or something.

First gulp, and Hell yeah! This is spicy. This is love at first bite. The beer is peppery and has a heat up front that doesn't let up. Two more gulps in and my mouth is feeling the burn. This is great for heat fiends. It could be a lot hotter (mind you, I do extreme heat foods on a regular basis - it's all I cook pretty much), but I do feel the sweet tingling on my lips. I love the taste of jalapeno oil and spicy peppers... not to mention beer! So I don't think I have to tell you that this one is awesome. Not to throw down accolades on the overall taste or anything, but consider me stunned that I found a beer that actually fuckin' delivers.

Feel the burn? Do you like your lips tingling? I do.

It's great to finally try a chili beer that comes through. It's not terribly complex being a wheat based ale, and it's not the greatest thing I could have imagined, but this one is all about the heat factor. And that's something many other breweries are promising and not delivering on with their so-called "chili beers". When I want a chili beer, I want it hot! Not the bullshit that I've been constantly handed, with a subtle and gentle flavor enhancement. I can now only dream of the day in which I try Ghost Face Killah. It's top of the wishlist, baby.

Dogfish Head Theobroma

Dogfish Head Theobroma - Ale Brewed with Honey, Cocoa Nibs, Cocoa Powder, Ancho Chilies and Ground Annatto (2010)

Brewed and Bottled by Dogfish Head Craft Brewing Inc., in Milton, DE. USA.

Occasional Rarities (Limited Release - April [when and if brewed])

25.4 fl. oz. / $13.94 USD / 9.0% ABV

About: "This beer is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras which revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early civilizations to toast special occasions. The discovery of this beverage pushed back the earliest use of cocoa for human consumption more than 500 years to 1200 BC. As per the analysis, Dogfish Heads Theobroma (translated into 'food of the gods') is brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs (from our friends at Askinosie Chocolate), honey, chilies, and annatto (fragrant tree seeds)." 

Thoughts: Picked myself up this special treat. My fourth of the Dogfish Head Ancient Ales series. I read about this in an old Draft magazine interview before it was actually made, so I've been wanting to try it.

Theobroma poured a lot lighter than I thought it would be. A real hazy dark yellow with shades of orange, and a head that was incredibly slow to form and apparently had somewhere to go real quick. There's a little foamy island left in the corner of this brew, and I'm seeing incredibly light carbonation.

Smells heavily of cocoa and a little bit like a mocha. Very subtle fruity hop tones laying low. Overall very sweet smelling with a little bit of the spicy.

There's a swirling of tastes that comes off rather immediately. I get that honey, and the fallback from the ancho chilies, hops that flow in and out and the cocoa is coating. A fruity tingling slowly rumbles its way into the mouth and gives off a strong tinge, causing a slight pucker.

...Alright, let it warm. Poured it once again in the glass. Huge frothy, bubbly head that's popping mad! It's diminishing at quite a rapid rate that's it's as if I'm watching something fade away in fast forward. Very Strange, yet really cool looking. It went from two inches to nearly nothing in about a minute and kind of reminded me of that dead body decaying in Der Todesking! Mmmm...

Smell is fruity up front. Loads of honey and cocoa. Hops lay in wait. Low malty undertones this time around. Taste is sweet overall. The level of alcohol comes through in a spicy haze that blurs the senses. Also, the brew's true flavor seems to shine once it warms. It's a bit lighter than their usual fare. Goes down rather easily, like water. Leaves a little bit of a spicy residue in the mouth, but it's not really strong at all. Very pleasing, yet, not terribly exciting.

I wonder, way back in the day if this was truly the "drink of the gods", then I'm sure they were some very pleased, short lived motherfuckers. I liked this beer. Didn't love it. It slightly reminds me of Wachusett's Milk Stout, only a bit stronger. The 9% ABV is decently hidden, but I like the way it comes through. I would have liked a bit more of those chilies. I'm a heat fiend. This Ale tastes good, but I've never been one to understand the mixing of cooling chocolate with heating chilies. The cocoa always seems to take over. I'd buy this again if they made it to the extreme, but it seemed a bit tame (though I have been drinking a lot of crazy shit lately). I appreciate what they were going for, and with the history of this type of beverage it is special, but my gods... are not their gods. If you buy this don't even bother putting it into the fridge.

Samuel Adams The Vixen

Samuel Adams The Vixen - Chocolate Chili Bock (2011)
1'st Batch Special Edition - Rotating (depending on sales) (Limited Release)
22 fl. oz. / $5.69 USD / 8.5% ABV

About: Malts: 2-Row Harrington, Metcalfe, and Copeland Pine Malts, Munich, Caramel 60, Roasted Demashed Malt / Hops: Hallertau, Mittelfruh Noble Hops / Spices: Chilies from Mexico, Cocoa nibs from Ecuador, Cinnamon from Southeast Asia. "The Vixen is smooth and rich with an enticing touch of sweetness and ends with a spicy heat. For this unique brew we used carefully roasted malts and dark cocoa nibs for a full bodied and slightly sweet flavor. To this roast and chocolaty base we added an element or warmth and spice with cinnamon and chilies. Dark and alluring, the brew will keep you captivated. "

Thoughts: Poured a dark hazy brown with a frothy, bubbly tan head that lingered for a long, long time.

First smell was obviously chocolate up front, then the slightest hint of cinnamon crept in. Still a little cold and that's what I'm getting. Tasting now.

Alcohol and Cocoa. I'm letting it warm. Toasty and malty. I was really expecting this to be a major chili beer. I hadn't tried one before so I was really going crazy to do so for the first time. The chili essence here is extremely light. It does give a distinct flavor to the brew, but it's still pretty light. I'm used to eating extremely hot foods so maybe I've spoiled myself with expectations. The taste is good enough, and it's certainly interesting with the chocolate and chilies together. Still, I was looking forward to more of a less chocolatey and more chili pronounced spiciness.

Very frothy and creamy. Afterwards there's a bit of mild but tingling chili pepper spice at the throat, but for someone like me who's used to it, it's really hard to notice. For all I know someone else's throat could be on fire, but with the overwhelming chocolate, I doubt it. And even then, the cinnamon may perhaps be helping it out which means less chili than chili. It's a Chocolate Bock with some Chili added. Not a Chocolate Chili Bock.

Well, I like it. It just didn't meet my expectations. It's actually pretty good, though it starts to get a little watery as you finish it off. All of the chili flavor is aftertaste, and I don't really mind it that much since it's gone down. But for me, it should have been more up-front! That's all.