Texas Ranger (Chipotle Porter) - Mikkeller ApS

JizackFH

New York

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - This beer pours a very dark brown color, almost black. It has a nice firm finger and a half of dark tan head on it. The head has good retention, and it leaves a big tan sheet of sticky lace behind on the glass.

S - It smells of dark roasted malt and chili peppers. There are nice aromas of chocolate and coffee, but there is a definite chili presence that stands out and gives you a nice idea of what you are in for.

T - The taste starts off with a nice roasted malt flavor. There are some nice coffee and chocolate flavors, along with a nice chipotle bite. The chipotle is flavor is present, but no heat, then suddenly the heat slowly fades into the flavor profile. The finish has some lingering roasted bitterness and a bit of chipotle flavor.

M - The body on this is on the heavier side of medium and it has good carbonation. It goes down easy and has a nice smooth feel to it. There is some nice roasted bitterness and some chipotle pepper heat.

O - This has good drinkability. It has a really nice flavor, and each sip leaves me wanting more. It is a solid porter with a nice chipotle pepper flavor. I really like the flavors the peppers impart on this beer. I recommend picking it up, I really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 09:54:57 | More by JizackFH

doughanson78

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

750ml bottle poured into a snifter. Thanks to nmann08 for this one.

A: Pitch black. No light coming through. Huge creamy head, one of the darkest I've seen. Awesome retention and super sticky lacing.

S: Just like a porter. Chocolate, coffee, big roastiness. All with a major chipotle bite. Very spicy.

T: Again, porter all the way. Sweet chocolate upfront taken over by a dark roasted coffee bitterness and chipotle spiciness that is almost perfect. Not to spicy, not to subtle. Not really for me but great for what it's trying to do.

M: Medium bodied, much lighter then the look would suggest. Light carbonation. Lacking in creaminess.

O: A great porter for what was trying to be accomplished. The peppers were just right. Again not totally my thing but one to try if peppers are your thing.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 16:46:32 | More by doughanson78

kingcrowing

Vermont

4.28/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle poured into a sampling glass.

Pours a very very dark black color with a huge black head, soo J and creamy its be your rich and dark. Th nose is sweet and spin on its very rich.

Taste is spicy and chocolate, it's sweet and smooth very tasty and delicious with a light Mouthfeel and its ve y good.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 08:53:31 | More by kingcrowing

deapokid

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Enjoyed on 9/3. Reviewed from notes.

Liquid has a root beer brown head that seems to stick around for a bit. Carbonation is noticeable, even with the opaque, black body. A sticky web of lacing and dense foam make for a creamy, milkshake-esque concoction.

Aroma has a whiff of that mouth-watering peppery burn. Also present is a woody smokiness that reminds me of bacon sizzling in a pan. Smell is a bit faint, but boy is it resonant.

Flavor profile features roasted beans, chocolate bar and the dry rasp provided by spicy chili peppers. The rasp is a shade overwhelming, reminiscent of an overload of coarse ground pepper. The smokiness is nice, but the bitterness is way too pronounced and sticks around for quite a while.

The smooth and sweet opening is almost forced out by a heavily pronounced black pepper scratch in the back of the throat. It's not entirely pleasant.

Overall, there are some good things here. The chocolate notes and roasted coffee bean vibes suggest a tasty porter somewhere in the mix, unfortunately overshadowed by the namesake ingredient. Some pepper burn is usually nice, but 25 ounces goes a long way. Share with a friend or two.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 22:38:49 | More by deapokid

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Jason, 750ml into some snifters.

Poured pitch black (as I've always found with Mikkeller stouts/porters), with a dark brown sugar-y type head. Good retention and sticky lacing. Nose has some citric hops, roastiness, cocoa, milk chocolate and some hints of the chipotle peppers. Taste has more roast and dark chocolate notes, with the hops still present. Spicy, hoppy and bitter in the finish - the chiptole comes through quite nicely, and works well in unison with the hop flavours and the bitterness imparted by them. Medium heavy body, lingering hop bite and the chipotle lingers for ages. Great as a porter (in and of itself), and is accented nicely with the chipotle to make this a unique and great beer. Certainly a sipper however, as the heat from the peppers keeps one at bay.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 12:26:12 | More by liamt07

Treebs

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared this bottle with people in line at the CBS release. Poured from a 750ml into my Deschutes snifter.

A: Pours a dark brown with a nice khaki head and leaves a webbed lace down the glass.

S: Smells of green peppers, a little chocolate and a little malt bill. The pepper is dominated which I expected.

T: The taste blows the smell out of the water. A great smokiness is present first and foremost. The spice from the chipotle gives it a great kick and there is a green paper freshness that is great. There is a slight sweet chocolate on the backend that really rounds it out.

M: Refreshing and spicy, medium bodied with a nice carbonation.

O: The nose wasn't too inviting but the taste more than made up for it. Very well balanced. The best pepper beer out there.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 21:30:01 | More by Treebs

aasher

Indiana

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I got this bottle in a massive trade with thagr81us, thanks Calton! I LOVE peppers.

This one pours a medium bodied black in color with a light beige lacing around the glass. The nose is made up of sweet dark roasted malts with light peppers. It smells like a Baltic with a load of spice. The flavor follows the same lines. You get a lot of dark, roasted malty sweetness with a light pepper burn. It's solid but not as strong as it should be. It drinks medium in body and the peppers does increase the longer you drink it. Overall it's solid and on the better end of pepper beers. It's worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 17:30:09 | More by aasher

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.53/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a luscious sable just a whisker above black with a very thick and fluffy dark tan head that sticks around for a bit. Aroma has a strong overtone of semi-sweet chocolate as well as molasses and roast coffee notes and a hint of toffee. Flavor fills the mouth with chocolate, roast coffee and molasses tones plus nutty and toffee hints. The chilis add an interesting and unique zing to the full-bodied and fizzy flavor, making it unique among all beers that I have tried so far. A must for porter fans, if you don't mind a bit of pepper heat.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 22:45:33 | More by Cyberkedi

oline73

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a goblet.

Appearance: Pours almost black with a beautiful, thick tan head and very good retention. Great looking beer.

Smell: Roasty with dark chocolate notes and some sweetness. Very nice.

Taste: Very roasty but still manages to be smooth. A bit spicy from the pepper, and the heat builds as the beer gets warmer. Dark chocolate and some hop bitterness. The finish is bitter and spicy.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a slick finish.

Overall: The pepper was hotter than I expected, but I liked it. Very complex. I would have it again.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 22:26:58 | More by oline73

deepchills

Texas

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This beer pours black as night with a leathery head.

The nose is complex with smoke, pepper, malt & chocolate all present.

The malt is what I first notice upon drinking this beer, then the smoke. There is some bitterness as well, and I don’t notice the chocolate anymore. The finish is unmistakable chipotle pepper. And it strong, leaving a peppery tingling in my mouth.
Continued drinking is a nice blend of all three flavors with pepper being the most powerful.

It’s rare that I find a bottle of beer in my fridge that wasn’t brewed in the USA. This beer isn’t for all occasions, but here in Texas we should be able to find many meals to go with spicy porter.
I doubt I’d drink this again without a specific meal pairing in mind.

On the down side there is a little grittiness when you start with this beer, it does go away in time. Also, let this beer warm a little before you begin drinking.

Salud!

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 16:40:06 | More by deepchills

rarbring

Sweden

4.33/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer is black. Period. A brown head that leaves little lacing but good curtains, as expected.

Smells of juniper, smoke, soft brown bread and chocolate.

A good upfront sweetness, chocolate on toast, thenspices, yes, it's chili. And it works, just as chili chocolate does!

Little carbonation, soft and oily texture, a warm feeling.

A really nice intriguing dessert.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 20:52:41 | More by rarbring

laituegonflable

Australia

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark cola, hint of brown up to the light. Head is ochre, nice and dense. Lovely lace left behind; looks great.

Smell is coffee-esque with lots of toasty malt and chocolate notes. Yeah, cocoa with a hint of espresso. Spice, yes, but not a lot of smoke or chilli. Maybe just whispered suggestions. Nice porter smell though.

Taste is a good balance. Starts portery with toasted grain that develops cocoa and coffee on there with light roasty spice, dry-toasted cumin and coriander seeds. Hint of chilli on mid balances well with cocoa-rich chocolate nots and hint of smoke, then nice finish with a mild chilli heat to it. Very enjoyable, with the most bold flavours not overdoing themselves. Not to everyone's taste but I'm definitely a fan.

Thin on the feel, though plenty of substance to it.

Yeah, I like a good spicy dark beer. And this be one. This gives credence to the idea that chilli can be served with dark beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2011 00:23:07 | More by laituegonflable

bluesplit63

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured thick into a goblet. Color was a deep brown with a lighter brown head.

Lace was thin with immediate scent of smoked chili pepper and nuts.

Taste was that of a smoked chocolate with stronger notes of chili.

It was a little too overpowering with the smokiness of the beer, but overall not a bad porter by Mikkeller.

Purchased At: Nikki's Liquors

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2011 19:27:25 | More by bluesplit63

hosehead83

Ohio

4.72/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a big"bomber" bottle into a wine goblet.
Deep brown/black in color, with a big frothy head of dark tan foam. Very inviting!
Aroma-Coffee, chocolate and faint roasted chilies
Taste-Wow! Creamy chocolate, coffee with rich cream and a fantastic smoky/spicy wave of chipotle pepper that weaves in and out with every sip. A mouth warming balance of creamy semi-chocolate sweetness and smoky spiciness that make your tastebuds stand up and salute and then bow down in unworthyness. This brew cries out for a food pairing: Black pepper rubbed steak,spicy tacos,chili, or any BBQ dish.
Truly one of the most flavorfully bold and tasty porters I have ever had. Find a food match, or just sip slowly and savor. A must try if you are a big flavor porter or stout lover.
Get Some!!!

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 17:20:44 | More by hosehead83

paperbackfoster

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - A deep mahogany pour appears the blackest of browns in the glass. The head comes up on a very impressive clay colored two-finger head, which reduces to a sudsy one finger head and leaves sticky lacing on the glass. A looker, for sure.

S - The dark smokiness of the chipotle definitely comes through, as well as notes of other chilis such as adobo. Undertones of coffee and the rich, blacker fruits/berry notes that tend to be associated with red wine and dark roasted coffee beans.

T - The chipotle pepper does hit first and carries out ‘til the last. You’ll still be tasting it on down your throat. That said, there’s no aggressive spiciness. The chili’s heat is muted as the smokiness comes through. The porter that carries this flavor isn’t just a mild backdrop. Very roasty malts with a bit of a sharp bite, chocolate and coffee notes, and a fair bit of hops come across the tongue. The finish is almost sweet, vanilla coming through. The flavor runs deep in this one.

M - Coats the tongue, almost mealy. Feels thin upon the first few sips, but accumulates and lingers. The only heat you feel from the chipotle arrives in a slight hotness in the back of the throat.

Overall, a beyond worthwhile porter to try. Even those that aren’t a fan of chili beers will appreciate the smokiness that permeates this beer. It’s not a gimmick beer like so many others. This is an outstanding porter that someone took a step further with the addition of chipotle peppers. Very balanced. A good ride all around.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 03:32:22 | More by paperbackfoster

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep and very opaque brown-black colour, with a very fine head of chocolate brown. Body looks almost yellow-oily on the edges. Very sharp and classy looking. Body is just a little lighter than it could have been, otherwise, this is top-notch.

Nose is crispy and dark, with a sharpness that maybe speaks to the smoky chipotle note. In some senses the smoke gives it a lightness, although this and the true charred nature of the roasted malt mingle meaning you can't extricate either of the characters. Nice.

Taste is really pleasantly smoky and dark, with a tingle of spicy chilli on the back of the palate. But it's subdued enough that in mingles with the smoke, the roast and the slightly astringnet bitterness, dancing on the palate and giving a zing to elevate the beer above any other.

Very nice brew. Very nice indeed. It has the classic Mikkeller elan, but with the lift of something sharp, weird and different. One of my picks. Good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2011 05:37:01 | More by lacqueredmouse

oberon

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a becker a deep chocolate brown with a fluffy tan colored head that left broken globs of lace as it settled into a frothy mass.Sweet smoked chili,roasted nut,and bitter chocolate in the nose.Bitter chocolate and some roast at the onset on the palate then comes a big shot of smoke and spice in a lingering finish.This is what a smoked/chili porter should be,all elements get their turn,nice job.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 23:45:09 | More by oberon

Casey10

Maine

4.05/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This was a really nice porter with a lot going on. I really like the dark notes with the the chipotle flavor while present didn't over power the beer but complimented it nicely.

A nice dark beer with a thin chocolate head lots of lacing on the glass as well.

Worth trying and a must have if you are some one that likes spicy beers.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 02:38:36 | More by Casey10

Vengeance526

Louisiana

3.93/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very dark brown color with a medium sized dark brown head that sticks around for a while and leaves good lacing.

Nice aroma of chocolate, smoked malt and a hint of citrus with a mild peppery tone in the background.

Taste starts off with notes of chocolate and coffee with slight hints of pepper, then gives way to the more intense chipotle flavors. Spicy and smoky flavors hit in the middle and stick around long into the aftertaste.

Meidum bodied with a nice creamy mouthfeel. These spicy beers are often a bit overdone, but this one was put out very nicely, not too subtle but not too extreme. Was interesting to see how well pronounced the chipotle flavor was as it warmed up more fully.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 15:59:16 | More by Vengeance526

bark

Sweden

3.98/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The colour is pitch black (100 EBC), it is a bit thick. The warm beige compact head is 2 fingers high. It leaves som lacing when it slowly sinks down.

The smell is sweet, almost dense with dry notes of smoke. Some chilli and olives. Roasted sweet malt dominates.

Strong flavours, yet very balanced. Dry roasted/burned notes, some rubber. Growing hot chilli-flavours. Roasted/burned flavours. Semi-sweet. Some smoke. Mid body. The aftertaste is straightforward and clean with smoked chilli, hot spicy flavours. Some sour-bitter notes, Hints of cucumber. Chilli and smoke in the finish.

The carbonation is strong, the bubbles mid sized. The liquid is mid-smooth.

A very creative and inviting beer, if you like smoked chilli. Better than the other chilli beers I have had through the years.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 20:35:28 | More by bark

atis

Finland

4.35/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

330 ml bottle from Riga, Latvia.

Pours very black with dark brown foamy head with excellent retention, patchy downsliding lacing. Aroma is roasted malt, coffee with spicy notes, hints of salt.

Taste is smoky and roasted malt, reminding of chocolate, the presence of chili soon develops and lasts well into sweetish aftertaste. Mouthfeel is smooth medium/full with low carbonation.

Overall, a great porter, but I am not sure I would be able to drink more than one bottle of it. Maybe with food.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 19:21:44 | More by atis

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle into a couple of snifters. Thanks to CaptinRedBeard for sharing with ClockworkOrange and I. This brew appears black in color with 2 fingers worth of creamy to silky brown head. A thick wall of lace sticks all over the glass. Some clarity and lighter brown coloration is seen through the edges when held to the light.

The smell is roasty with a light sweetness of chocolate malt and a touch of citrus and earthy pepper scents. The pepper inclusion is minority reminiscent of Tobasco sauce but with less sting to the aroma. A little bit of earthy quality is also present and mild leather to mineral notes. The earthy smell is somewhat like dirt but enjoyable coupled with the other aspects. At times it almost smells like green bell peppers as it gets warmer.

The taste is very earthy and dirty with leather and roasted chocolate malt. Minorly bitter and roasted, the peppers bring forth a zap of citrus very much unlike the citrus inclusion of hops. Also included is a light smoked character which adds nice depth to the flavoring. As the experience continues it gets warming down the throat with almost a black pepper aspect thrown in as well.

This is a medium bodied brew with a lot of carbonation that seemingly errupts in the mouth. It completely fills the inside of the mouth and coats it with a light, yet full creamy feel. There is lots of pepper quality in this brew but it is more flavorful than it is hot which I really enjoyed. Having a beer with peppers in the ingredients usually makes me proceed with caution but I went back for more with this offering. It lingers in the mouth with a lightly oily texture. Overall well done.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 17:47:00 | More by stakem

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Great brew. Poured with a large tan head that quickly settled down to a light cover that lasts and some lace. Color is an absolutely opaque brown black. Aroma is dark malt, loam, toffee, cocoa, coffee, and a hint of chipotle. Flavor is much the same as nose with a little bittersweetness coming out. Body is good and so is carbonation. Finish is like flavor and has good lenght. Very easy, slow drinking beer with just enough edge from the chipotle to keep it interesting. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2011 01:33:09 | More by drpimento

Bonis

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from notes, way back in March. This was a split with LiquidCucumber (thanks bro).

A - Very dark for a porter. A thick mocha head with some great lace and head retention. This one looks excellent.

S - Load of roasted malts. Chipotle doesn't pack a punch in the nose, but there is a touch of smoke. Notes of sweet chocolate are dominant, somewhat reminding me of a chocolate bar I've had with chipotle.

T - Taste is primarily of dark malts, smoked chillis, and spicy peppers. The chipotle is subtle at first but comes in full force with the other flavors as it begins to warm. Roastiness, smoke, and pepper are all pretty intense here, but combine to form a unique and delicious beer, unlike any other I've tried. There is a touch of balancing sweetness mixed in, and the alcohol goes relatively unnoticed.

M - Heat is prevalent. More full bodied than I anticipated and I little more carb as well, but not bad things.

Overall, an exciting beer that I hope to have again in the future. Pretty impressed with my second Mikkeller ever.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2011 16:00:13 | More by Bonis

ferrari29

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Beer poured into a Snifter shaped glass

A - Beer poured with a dark brown, almost black, colored body; no head; opaque; latte/espresso colored head; no visible carbonation

S - Chipotle; chili powder and other Mexican spices; black pepper; roasted malt; smokiness

T - Chili pepper and chipotle bomb; spicy and chocolaty at the same time; smoked malt flavor profile; lupin beans (bitterness); medium flavor salsa; cherry tomato acidity; tangy and crisp pepper flavor and heavy malt back end

M - Medium body and slightly less body than I would expect from a porter; chipotle salsa aftertaste; slightly syrupy; chipotle flavor coats the tongue

D - Worth a shot if you're into something different; unique, even for a specialty flavored brew; well-balanced for a spicy porter; should be considered for those into different tastes

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 04:53:14 | More by ferrari29