Tag Archives: May

Xocoveza Mocha Stout (Insurgente Release) Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico

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Rating: 6.25/7

Xocoveza Mocha Stout (Insurgente Release) Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico is a 8.1% ABV World Class Milk/Sweet Stout brewed with cocoa, coffee, peppers, vanilla cinnamon and nutmeg.

Label:
Se Un Insurgente, Toma Artesanal

Xocoveza Mocha Stout is the result of the homebrewing spirit and a cross-border collaboration. In 2014, Stone Brewing invited us to join them on this Mexican-Hot-Chocolate inspired creation. Based on Chris Banker’s winning recipe, we created this rich and decadent Imperial Milk Stout with traditional Mexican ingredients. In your hands you have Insurgente’s version of this for the first time on this side of the border. ¡Salud!

==Introduction==

Xocoveza has been an important staple in terms of what makes great Mexican Spice and Chocolate beers. It is one of my favorites and it was one that was done very well. The version I am bringing today is the one made in Tijuana Mexico, the one from Insurgente brewing. The purpose of this is to see how different it differed from Stone’s release. It is the same recipe but the process might be different. I did try this one sometime last year when I went to Tijuana for a brewery run with my friend Oscar. While I tried to remember, I could tell it was damn delicious. However, is there subtle differences from this one to the Stone one? Let’s see, Salud!

Aromas:
Mocha Coffee, Roasted Coffee, Mexican Coffee, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, , dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Cinnamon, Ancho chile spice, bananas, clove spice, vanilla, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, nutmeg, champurrado, piloncillo sugar cone, Molé and pan dulce.

Flavors:
Rich Abuelita Mexican Hot Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Mocha Coffee, Roasted Coffee, Mexican Coffee, Cane sugar, Cinnamon, Ancho chile spice, bananas, clove spice, vanilla, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, Peanut Butter, Reece’s Pieces, Molé, pan dulce, dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, capirotada raisin bread pudding, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, nutmeg, champurrado, piloncillo sugar cone, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, flan, sweetened condensed milk and peanut mazapan.

Aftertaste:
Finishing off with Dark Chocolate, Dulce de leche caramel, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Mocha, chile notes, earthy notes, vanilla and peanut butter hints. No alcohol in the taste, pitch black body, ridiculously smooth, very creamy and velvety mouthfeel along with a moderate drinkability.

Overall:
Damn! This one is different than the Stone release by a good amount. While I feel both beers overall are supreme World Class but this one emphasizes sweeter flavors while the Stone one balances out with earthy hops. This one shines more in the Mexican chocolate department big time! I love this version so much but I think I love both for the differences as well. This series of beers from both breweries are definitely some of the best Mexican Chocolate and Coffee beers ever. I highly recommend getting these!

Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach and May from Backstreet Billiards for the PS1 were chosen in this pairing as they were chosen in the previous iterations of Xocoveza. The original Xocoveza I used May as she represents the Mexican culture of where the recipe was inspired from especially the Mexican brewers that helped Stone with the creation. I used Yoruichi for the bourbon barrel aging version, but bringing one of my favorite anime characters into this to be the main focus is to showcase the roots of the ingredients in Mexico. Yoruichi is a Goddess of Thunder, like Quetzacoatl!

Sources:
http://orig05.deviantart.net/09b6/f/2015/018/7/3/bleach_yoruichi__head__in_skyrim_by_user619-d8eer4h.png
http://trzaraki.deviantart.com/art/Yoruichi-Shihouin-12-01-583945424

Mélange 10 (Mélange X) by The Bruery

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15493695_10103808607696610_5325972503556775935_oRating: 6/6

Mélange 10 (Mélange X) by The Bruery is a 15% ABV Old Ale and Barleywine Hybrid brewed with Chiles, Mexican Chocolate & Cinnamon and aged in Bourbon Barrels.

Label:
60% Bourbon barrel aged Anniversary ale and
40% Bourbon barrel aged barleywine with chilies, chocolate, and cinnamon.

A Hoarders Society competition yielded this south of the border blend of Bourbon barrel aged Anniversary and Barrel Aged Old Richland with Ancho chiles and Mexican-style chocolate.

Mélange #10 was designed by Hoarders Society members for Hoarders Society members. This barrel aged specialty is best enjoyed fresh, but may develop pleasantly if cellared properly.
==Introduction==

Released originally for the Hoarders society and then in 2016, released to Reserve society members. I had actually missed out on this one due to that reason. It does seem that a good amount of Hoarder exclusive beers have started to become available to the lower tiers as the years go in. In fact, it is getting to the point where some of the old releases will see public releases in the future. This release is definitely different as they are not using part of a stout but an old ale and barleywine. So the use of the Mexican chocolate, chilies and cinnamon will definitely make for one very unique brew. Let’s just see if it is worthy of the praise, cheers!

Aromas:
Ginger bread, nutmeg, dark fruit raisins, plums, prunes, figs, cherries, currants, stone fruit peaches, apricots, chocolate abuelita, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cinnamon, Cadbury caramel and chocolate cream eggs, flan, bananas, clove spice, marshmallows, Molé spices, coconut hints, coffee cake, tobacco hints, vanilla, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, and molasses.

Flavors:
Rich chocolate abuelita, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cinnamon, Cadbury caramel and chocolate cream eggs, flan, pecan pie, stone fruit peach cobbler, brown sugar, nutmeg, ginger bread, pan dulce, capirotada raisin bread pudding, ancho chile, guajillo chile, all spice, dark fruit raisins, plums, prunes, figs, cherries, currants, stone fruit peaches, apricots, sweet yams, pecan pie, anise, molasses, bananas, clove spice, marshmallows, Molé spices, coconut hints, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, toffee, chai spice, tobacco hints, coffee cake, biscuit bread, nougat caramel, Mexican fudge cake and coconut.

Aftertaste:
Finishing rich with chocolate abuelita flavors, cinnamon, ginger spice, vanilla, caramel, chile hints and coffee hints. Slight alcohol in the taste but not detracting from the flavors. Dark full body, smooth, creamy, chewy and velvety mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
An exceptionally decadent brew. Not too heat wise spicy, but spicy none the less. Semi Sweet with the chocolate but because it is an old ale and barleywine blend, the complex flavors are different than any other Mexican Chocolate or Molé beer. The fact is, the different level of spices really comes out more but at the same time, it is still balanced. Definitely find this one if you can, cheers!
15385294_10103808607701600_574347935145895955_o
Anime Corner:
May from Backstreet Billiards was chosen for this pairing to go with the colors, the flavors, the ingredients and the theme of the beer. Essentially, a Molé and Mexican hot chocolate beer. Since she is a favorite character of mines for many years, I tend to bring her back with beers that correlate with Mexican heritage as she complements these beers well. Especially for a Mélange series brew, Ahuevo!

Sources:
http://s27.postimg.org/ht9xex4cj/bsb_copy.jpg

2015 Quingenti Millitre Series Batch No. 07 Xocoveza Mocha Stout Charred Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico

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12794584_10103093368496700_1276024572108918571_n 12747942_10103093368087520_1315413844490123267_o 12778780_10103093367378940_1444468068061274692_oRating: 7/7

2015 Quingenti Millitre Series Batch No. 07 Xocoveza Mocha Stout Charred Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico is an 10% ABV World Class Milk/Sweet Stout brewed with cocoa, coffee, peppers, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg then aged in Bourbon Barrels.

Label:
Pronuced (SHO-CO-VAY-ZA)

Brewed August 17
The base beer is the recipe of 2014 Stone Homebrew Competition winner Chris Banker, an intensely flavorful milk stout brewed with coffee and spices to mimic the rich flavors of Mexican hot chocolate.

In The Mash
U.S. Pale, Maris Otter Pale, Crystal, Black Patent, Coffee Malt & Chocolate Malt

In The Boil
Challenger & East Kent Golding Hops.

Special Ingredients
Lactose, Flaked Oats, Coffee, Vanilla, Pasilla Peppers, Nutmeg, Cinnamon & Cocoa

Unfiltered and Aged 3 months in American Oak Kentucky Bourbon Barrels.

CELLAR NOTES: Time spent in bourbon barrels gave an already complex beer even more complexity and flavor intensity, layering additional caramel-like and vanilla flavors on top of those already present. Aromas of rich coffee and dark chocolate are followed by nutmeg and cinnamon; a lush, heavy mouthfeel laden with charred oak and toffee engulfs the palate on the first sip. Lingering pasilla pepper and soft oak flavors persist through an exceptionally long finish in this intensely rich and satisfying beer.
==Introduction==

I received this one as a gift by my new friend Joseph Taitano whom I was introduced by my friend Augie Escobedo, both of BeerBumz on Facebook. I had tried the Tequila variant but missed out on getting the Charred one. However, thanks to the wonderful donation, now I can share my thoughts on the beer. The reason I got it was as a special thanks as I had shared my homebrew on a beer tasting session. Every one of which who enjoyed my beers a whole lot. I even got a name, calling me “The Prodigy” of homebrewing. It is true, I have only been brewing beer for a year but the fact that I have been inspired by awesome beers that already exist make me take matters into my on hands and come up with recipes that mimic some of the best beers in the world. While I know I hope to one day make my own brewery, I still need years of experience as well to make it big. So to Augie, Joseph, My friend Will Carranza who introduced me to Augie and to all the BeerBumz as well as my fellow homebrewer Richard Avila, to my friend Aaron Mendiola of BeerMetalDude.com from Texas and people reading my blogs, Cheers to all and a sincerest Thank You!!! Someday, I hope you get to try my brews.

Aromas:
Rich Chocolate Abuelita, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Dulce De leche cajeta/caramel, Kahlua Liqueur, Ancho chile, pasilla chile, Molé, cinnamon, nutmeg, smokey oak, bourbon, pan dulce, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, marshmallow smores, butterscotch, rocky road ice cream, mocha, roasted coffee notes, cafe con leche, Mexican vanilla, coconut hints, cocada mexican coconut candy hints, dark fruit raisins, dark cherries, Milk sugar, flan, sweetened condensed milk, tres leches cake, Champurrado, earthy notes, molasses, clove spice, grilled platanitos/bananas and Churros.

Flavors:
Charred smokey oak, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel/ cajeta, toffee, rye, Rich Chocolate Abuelita, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Molé, cinnamon, nutmeg, tres leches cake, Champurrado, earthy notes, molasses, clove spice, toasted coconut, rocky road ice cream, cookies and cream, dark fruit raisins, dark cherry, grilled platanitos/bananas, Churros, marshmallows, campfire smores, graham crackers, honey comb, Kahlua Liqueur, Ancho chile, pasilla chile spices but no heat, Milk sugar, flan, sweetened condensed milk, pan dulce, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, butterscotch, cocada mexican coconut candy hints, mocha, roasted coffee notes, Jericalla Mexican custard, espresso, cafe con leche and Mexican vanilla.

Aftertaste:
Lots of smokey oak, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, bourbon notes, marshmallow, dark chocolate, campfire smores, piloncillo, chocolate abuelita, pumpkin notes,spicy chile notes, earthy notes, dulce de leche and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV, ridiculously smooth drinkability, very creamy, velvety and smooth mouthfeel, and pitch black body just like the original.

Overall:
Supremely above and beyond. I had no idea the Xocoveza could take it to another level of enjoyment. Granted, I enjoyed the Tequila version but this is also just as good in its own league. The bourbon and charred oak brings about more smokey caramel and marshmallow flavors forward that you would find in the regular Xocoveza or even the Tequila and Wine one. Complexity on its own terms essentially. With that being said, I would highly recommend this one as well. Heck, I would recommend all 3 brews, they were one of the biggest hits for Stone Brewing.

Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach, art by trzaraki of Deviantart.com and May from Backstreet Billiards for the PS1 were chosen in this pairing for different reasons. The original Xocoveza I used May as she represents the Mexican culture of where the recipe was inspired from especially the Mexican brewers that helped Stone with the creation. Since the upgrade using the bourbon barrel aging, I wanted to pair with one of my favorite anime characters, Yoruichi, since I wanted to show case how this was a more powerful beer than the original. I found a pic where she is what looks to be indigenous attire but also the colors of both pictures represent the colors and flavors of the beer. Her becoming a Goddess of Thunder with the purple hair represents the increase in the complexity and strength of the brew bringing the beer to a new league of its own.

Sources:
http://trzaraki.deviantart.com/art/Yoruichi-Shihouin-12-01-583945424
http://s27.postimg.org/ht9xex4cj/bsb_copy.jpg
http://i99.beon.ru/s013.radikal.ru/i325/1410/46/59c868e49075.jpg

 
 

2015 Quingenti Millimitre Series Batch No. 2 Xocoveza Mocha Stout Extra Añejo Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico

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11884718_10102776717283270_7652758894542550309_o 11950358_10102776717637560_2627631124235689327_oRating: 7/7

2015 Quingenti Millimitre Series Batch No. 2 Xocoveza Mocha Stout Extra Añejo Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico is an 11.3% ABV World Class Milk/Sweet Stout brewed with cocoa, coffee, peppers, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg then aged in Red Wine & Tequila Barrels.

Label:
Pronuced (SHO-CO-VAY-ZA)

Brewed July 19 & November 11, 2014
The base beer is the recipe of 2014 Stone Homebrew Competition winner Chris Banker, an intensely flavorful milk stout brewed with coffee and spices to mimic the rich flavors of Mexican hot chocolate.

In The Mash
U.S. Pale, Maris Otter Pale, Crystal, Black Patent, Coffee Malt & Chocolate Malt

In The Boil
Challenger & East Kent Golding Hops.

Special Ingredients
Lactose, Flaked Oats, Coffee, Vanilla, Pasilla Peppers, Nutmeg, Cinnamon & Cocoa

AGED in French Oak Extra Añejo Tequila Barrels that previously held Bordeaux Wine

CELLAR NOTES: We were so smitten with the initial batch aged in extra añejo tequila barrels that we brought in more barrels and brewed more beer specifically to fill them. The barrels smelled amazing, with aromas of vanilla crème brulée, dulce de leche and tequila. The result is both satisfyingly expected and surprising at the same time: Sweet caramel-like flavors, black pepper, vanilla and tequila notes meld seamlessly with the spice, roasted coffee and chocolate flavors of the base beer for a richly intense experience.
==Introduction==

Standing in line for 3 hours sucks and getting a chance to get only 1 bottle since the beer sold out within the hour sucks even more. I will tell you this thought, even if I did not know it was going to sell out so damn quickly, I am fortunate to be able to bring this beer to the website as the beer was way more coveted than it should have been. That and the fact that if you wanna get more of this, you will need to trade or look for it online. It is sad that they only made so few of this and the fact that the Bourbon Barrel version sold out quicker than the Tequila version (Although I personally wanted this one way more than the other one) so now I will have to look for the bourbon/charred version. Either way, let’s take a look and see if this beer is really all that is cracked up to be. I can only say the original blew mountains away so I’m kinda scared but excited to see what this one does. Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich oak, Port wine, Agave syrup, Tequila notes, lechugilla agave juice hints, pan dulce, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, marshmallow smores, butterscotch, magey plant, mocha, roasted coffee notes, cafe con leche, Mexican vanilla, Wined Goat milk Caramel/Dulce De Leche de cabra Envinado, coconut hints, cocada mexican coconut candy hints, wine grapes, sangria vampiro, honey comb, Rich Chocolate Abuelita, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Dulce De leche cajeta/caramel, Kahlua Liqueur, Ancho chile, pasilla chile, Molé, cinnamon, nutmeg, dark fruit raisins, dark cherry, Milk sugar, flan, sweetened condensed milk, tres leches cake, Champurrado, earthy notes, molasses, clove spice, grilled platanitos/bananas and Churros

Flavors:
Tequila, oak, Wine grapes, port wine, sangria vampiro, honey comb, Rich Chocolate Abuelita, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Dulce De leche cajeta/caramel, Kahlua Liqueur, Ancho chile, pasilla chile spices but no heat, Molé, cinnamon, nutmeg, dark fruit raisins, dark cherry, Milk sugar, flan, sweetened condensed milk, tres leches cake, Champurrado, earthy notes, molasses, clove spice, grilled platanitos/bananas, Churros, agave necar, lechugilla agave juice hints, pan dulce, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, marshmallow smores, butterscotch, magey plant, mocha, roasted coffee notes, cafe con leche, Mexican vanilla, Wined Goat milk Caramel/Dulce De Leche de cabra Envinado, coconut hints and cocada mexican coconut candy hints.

Aftertaste:
Cinnamon, pumpkin notes, nutmeg, dark chocolate, chocolate abuelita, mezcal, tequila, oak, port wine hints, spicy chile notes, agave notes and earthy notes. No alcohol in the taste despite the richer ABV, ridiculously smooth drinkability, very creamy, velvety and smooth mouthfeel, and pitch black body just like the original.

Overall:
It’s hard to get more Mexican than this beer unless you pair it with some actual Mexican cuisine. Holy shit, one of the Best Tequila beers I have ever had considering the original was one of the best chocolate abuelita beers. It is so damn complex that I really wonder if the charred one is even necessary. Bourbon really isn’t a “Mexican” Spirit, but maybe good though. I still think this one would win over the bourbon one. Either way, I am thankful I was able to at least snag a bottle while it was painful for me to see the line behind miss out so much would have given them the bottle. However, I feel the fact that I present my findings here on the site maybe more beneficial as it could make you wanna find it online/ trade for yourself. Well, I damn sure recommend it as a bucket list beer for sure y que Viva Mexico y Las Cervezas Artesanales de mi patria…. AHUEVO!!

Anime Corner:
An original Adelita character by Genzoman and May from Backstreet Billiards for the PS1 were chosen in this beer to really bring out what made Xocoveza so damn special. Specifically, with the addition of Tequila along with the Mexican Hot chocolate flavors and Insurgente which were one of the 3 collaborators of this beer, I really wanted to show case an actual Mexican pairing with pride. Adelitas being women soldiers during Mexican revolution of 1910, along with the barrels behind her are like the Tequila barrels that were infused with the already awesome Xocoveza which I had brought May for that to show case the indigenous roots of the recipe as well. Solo lo mejor!

Sources:
http://genzoman.deviantart.com/art/Adelita-162831459
http://s27.postimg.org/ht9xex4cj/bsb_copy.jpg

2015 Lips of Faith Series Cocoa Molé by New Belgium

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10980189_10102435520743870_6275851171789603777_oRating: 5/5

2015 Lips of Faith Series Cocoa Molé by New Belgium is a 9% ABV Spiced Chocolate Porter brewed with Ancho, Guajillo and chipotle peppers.

Label:
Say Hola to a spiced up ale full of cocoa and ancho, guajillo, chipotle peppers. But don’t fear the heat, because plenty of caramel and chocolate malts bring a smooth, complex flavor to our Cocoa Molé. Scents of cinnamon when poured will have you saying, “¡Olé for molé!”

==Introduction==

Back in 2012, this beer made a big scene. So much so, that people who tried the beer wanted to bring it back for another go, including me. This beer had me reminiscing of champurrado (maize flour drink), which I was definitely blown away by. In terms of chile beers, it was the second chile beer I had ever had next to the Dogfish Head Theobroma. I really liked that one but this one was more toward a mole chocolate beer and I remember it was something I definitely wanted to try again. Thanks to New Belgum, it is back! Let us see if it still stands with its 2012 companion.

Aromas:
Champurrado, Cinnamon, Chocolate Abuelita, brown sugar, cane sugar, piloncillo sugar cone, ancho, guajillo, chipotle pepper spices, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, Pan Dulce, apple pie, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, Danish cream cookies, marshmallow smores, flan, jericalla Mexican custard, molé spices, dark fruit raisins, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Burnt sugar and candi sugar.

Flavors:
Chocolate Abuelita, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, Piloncillo sugar cone, ancho, guajillo, chipotle pepper spices, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, flan, jericalla Mexican custard, molé spices, dark fruit raisins, capirotada raisin bread pudding, champurrado hot drink, Pan Dulce, apple pie, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, Danish cream cookies, marshmallow smores, graham crackers, waffle cone, banana notes, clove spice, Burnt sugar and candi sugar.

Aftertaste:
Lots of cinnamon, chile spices, chocolate abuelita, dark fruit, earthy notes and hints of flan linger for a little bit. No alcohol in the taste, creamy and smooth mouthfeel, dark crimson medium body and a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Perfect example of a Molé beer. I loved this one back in 2012, I love this one 3 years later.
The heat is only slightly there but enough to say it is a spiced chile beer. I really hope this one is here to stay in the Lips of Faith line up because it is one of my favorites. They might distribute this regularly but only one can hope. I highly recommend it if you like spiced chile beer but with the heat burned out immediately but sweet chocolate desserts.

Anime Corner:
May from Backstreet Billiards was used in this pairing since I used her in the previous pairing with 2012 Cocoa Molé. She represents the beer in the sense that it is about Mexican heritage and the indigenous ways which brings the culture and food into what is this beer. The flavors, the label and the art all complement each other.

Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/hX5loxr.jpg

Xocoveza Mocha Stout Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico

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10613149_10102062009258880_8324233477455469383_nRating: 6/5

Xocoveza Mocha Stout Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico is a 8.1% ABV World Class Milk/Sweet Stout brewed with cocoa, coffee, peppers, vanilla cinnamon and nutmeg.

Label:
Pronuced (SHO-CO-VAY-ZA)

The impact of homebrewers on the American craft beer industry has been immense. The comfort level and lack of inhibitors provided by a domestic brewing environment fosters a near limitless brand of experimentation, allowing homebrewers to push te beer envelope to its breaking point. Many of the professional brewing world’s best recipes–from West Coast IPAs to imperial stouts and even sours–began as homespun standouts so spectacular they had to be unleashed on the world in order to improve it.

With this in mind, each year we hold an American Homebrewers Association sanctioned homebrewing competition, the champion of which gets their recipe brewed and distributed nationwide by Stone. This year’s winner, Chris Banker, helped keep us grounded to our homebrewing roots by introducing flavors consistent with our regional palate. His chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, chile pepper, and coffee-infused milk stout was built to mimic the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate, a beloved specialty from our neighbors to the south, as our collaborators from Baja California, Cervezeria Insurgente, will attest. Layered with tiers of earthiness, spice, and roast, this creamy, semisweet blue ribbon beer confirms that the spirit of the American homebrewer is not only alive and kicking but thriving at an all-time high.
___

This fall, Stone’s home brew competition winner along with Insurgente from Mexico brew up a beer that could quite possibly be the next New Belgium’s Cocoa Molé beer. I have had many awesome Mexican Chocolate stouts like Chocolate Sombrero, Luchador en Fuego from Clown Shoes, el Molé Ocho from New Holland or even the almighty, Cigar City Hunahpu’s and Three Floyds Dark Lord de Muerte. Each one being exceptionally awesome in their own ways. Now Stone not only makes a beer but brings in cultural expertise to help make it awesome. This Mexican Independence Day, I drink this! Salud!

Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, roasted coffee, fancy coffee, Ancho chile spices, Piloncillo sugar, Chocolate Abuelita, Flan, milk sugar, dark fruits like raisins, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Molé, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, champurrado, Kahlua hints, earthy notes, molasses, pan dulce and Nutella.

Flavors:
Chocolate Abuelita, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, Ancho Chile spices are subtle but not heat, Molé, dark fruit raisins, dark cherry, Milk sugar, flan, cinnamon, capirotada raisin bread pudding, roasted coffee, fancy coffee, Kahlua hints, piloncillo sugar cone, cinnamon, nutmeg, champurrado, earthy notes, molasses, clove spice, banana notes and pan dulce.

Aftertaste:
Dark chocolate, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Caramel, mocha, earthy notes and spicy chile hints linger. No alcohol in the taste, ridiculously smooth drinkability, very creamy and slighly velvety mouthfeel, and pitch black body.

Overall:
Madre es Dios, que es esto? I meant that in like a mind blow type of way. This is a lot closer to a Mexican Hot Milk Chocolate beer than may that I have tried. All around, it really feels like you are drinking Chocolate Abuelita Hot Chocolate. All around, the fact that it is a milk stout, it makes it to where it is just well balanced, flavorful and smooth. There is no heat at all, but I really believe that is not the point. The point is to make this as approximate as Chocolate Abuelita as possible. I really think that maybe even the pre-craft beer drinker may actually find this one very appealing. It really is ridiculous and better the Cocoa Mole. The only bitterness is really from the chocolate and coffee roast. Highly recommend getting this one before it is gone for good! Going to go pick up a couple bottle now… Hasta La Proxima y Siganme Los Buenos!

Anime Corner:
May from Backstreet Billiards for the PS1 was chosen for this pairing because I wanted to do something in relation to my culture en Mexico. I used May once for Cocoa Molé so I wanted to bring her back for this round as well. I am glad I did too. She fits greatly with the beer label, the history of Mexican pride and the indigenous as well as the roots of Chocolate and possibly the name as it seems to be a derivative of Nahuatl and Spanish. The fact that is fall also brings forth not just the Independence Day of Mexico but also closer to the Months of the Dia De Los Muertos Celebration which this beer totally is best suited. Overall There was so much I could think of with this pairing but I would rather leave it to the reader to decide how to view this one.

**Update 2015 Version: As awesome as EVER!

IMAG9854

Sources:
http://s27.postimg.org/ht9xex4cj/bsb_copy.jpg