440 Pepper Smoker
Original Gravity Brewing Company

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From:
Original Gravity Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
Chile Beer
ABV:
5.6%
Score:
89
Avg:
3.99 | pDev: 19.3%
Reviews:
7
Ratings:
20
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 12, 2018
Added:
Aug 09, 2009
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  2
Amber Ale brewed with German smoked malt to give a pronounced, but well balanced smoke profile. Fresh Jalapenos added during several stages of the brewing process gives this beer the bold Jalapeno flavor and aroma that marries perfectly with the smoke flavor from the malt.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.54 by Matuhg from Michigan

May 12, 2018
 
Rated: 4.16 by -Andrew- from Michigan

May 02, 2017
 
Rated: 3.84 by Hayes86 from Michigan

Mar 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.1 by intovert2438 from Michigan

Dec 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by leprechaunandfatman from Ohio

May 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Filabee from Michigan

Mar 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Rons35 from Michigan

Feb 19, 2014
Photo of TheBrewo
Reviewed by TheBrewo from New York

3.71/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
This beer was served on tap at One-Eyed Betty’s in Ferndale, Michigan. It arrived in a generic stemmed tulip, glowing a deep golden amber coloring. It held a half finger tall head of tight, creamy, sandpaper colored foam, showing okay retention. This was easily reproducible with a quick flick of the wrist. Thick spidery lacing was noted to be clinging around the glass. A chill haze cut clarity, but no sediment was noted. Carbonation appeared to be lightly medium. The aroma was thick and full, giving pale and red malts, sweet corn and husk, hickory smoke, black peppercorns, burnt rubber, chipotle and jalapeño pepper, apple vinegar, and a curious chocolate malt as it warmed. Our first impression was that the flavoring was very smoky, the malts were a bit watered, and that the spice and heat really held off until the finish to punch through. As we sipped, the taste opened with light and chalky pale malts, metallic ambers, sweaty saltiness, sweet potato starchiness, soured vegetals, crumbly wheat crackers, lacquer, cherry wood, green pepper freshness, and jalapeño spice, but only if you held it in your mouth excessively. The middle came to a peak with watered pale and adjuncty malts, straw, wheat breadiness, light lemon juiciness, faint herbal hops, stone, mossy woodiness, and campfire smokiness. The ending wash finally brings the heat, with oily jalapeño and green pablano pepper flesh, charcoal and smoked wheatiness, melted plastics, banana pepper vegetals, chocolate wafer, and thick milky chocolate syrups. The aftertaste breathed of spice and heat, with black pepper, cayenne, jalapeño, standard bready yeastiness, mineral water, tortilla chip saltiness, chocolate, pale, and amber maltiness, and roasted smokiness. The body was medium, and the carbonation was medium. Each sip gave okay slurp and smack, nice cream and froth, and thick foamy pop to the lips. The mouth was left initially coated and creamy, with quick dripping astringency, and mild chalky dryness. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank easily.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this beer was its aroma. This was full and hearty, with nice inclusions of the smoked malt and the spicy, vegetal peppers used during the brewing. With warmth came further complexity in the form of depth of malts, with more of a charred chocolate note. These both blended and played well off the amber base, giving it curiously sweet and buttery undertones. Otherwise we found the flavoring to be watered down, and the feel to be thin and underutilized. While these two detriments ultimately take away from the full potential this brew begins with, this one ends of being par for the style, and generally enjoyable.
Sep 07, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by waston from Michigan

Aug 24, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by buschbeer from Ohio

Aug 16, 2013
 
Rated: 1.25 by MButkus

Aug 27, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by gopens44 from Virginia

Aug 13, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by cynical1027 from Ohio

Feb 20, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by schwee from North Carolina

Jan 19, 2012
Photo of kzoobrew
Reviewed by kzoobrew from Michigan

4.42/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Big thanks to thegr8beerstate for the growler.

Clear, amber body no hint of sediment. One and a half finger foamy white head is set atop. Retention is not overly impressive but there is a decent amount of lacing clinging to the glasses.

The aroma is quite straight forward. I have no problem with the style being listed as a Chile Beer, though Rauchbier would also be appropriate. Smoked malt prominent from the start. The peppers pick up just behind. OG uses fresh jalapenos but when combine with the smoke you pick up a lot of chipotle aroma.

The flavor delivers everything you would expect after the nose. Sweet caramel malt upfront immediately gives way to a pleasant smokiness. The smoke stay dominate through the midpalate. Pepper spiciness develops towards the back of the palate. The flavors blend together very well, find tremendous balance overall.

Light to medium bodied beer. Carbonation is moderate and appropriate for the beer. The finish is much drier than I anticipated. Sweetness stays subdued, slight smoke and pepper lingers on the tongue.

Very tasty beer, easy to drink. The balance of flavors is really impressive. OG manages to deliver strong smoke and pepper flavors without over loading the palate. Worth a try if you have the opportunity.
Aug 16, 2011
Photo of A2Dave77
Reviewed by A2Dave77 from Michigan

5/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is a great beer and one of the reason's I go back to this brewery over and over. There is just enough pepper taste and not over the top. Very enjoyable! The sad thing is its only on tap for a short time. I would tell everyone how great this beer is and I think you will enjoy every drop! Cheers!
Mar 30, 2011
Photo of TurdFurgison
Reviewed by TurdFurgison from Ohio

4.62/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I had this on tap at the brewpub. I love smoked beers and I like a little heat too, so this seemed like it was made expressly for me. One note, I don't think this should be listed as a spiced beer, I would list it as a rauchbier on BA.

It's light colored, somewhere between golden and amber, just a little haze, with light foam. The aroma is nice, smoked malts but not overboard with them, and hints of pepper.

It tastes spot on, exactly what I was hoping for. Initially a little sweet, great smoke flavors in the middle, and a lasting pepper burn in the end. The pepper is added with a skilled hand, not over done as sometimes can happen, this adds more than it takes away.

Medium bodied, light carbonation, excellent all around. And at a low enough ABV that you can keep drinking it, I had several. Recommended!
Mar 10, 2011
Photo of thebends1
Reviewed by thebends1 from Michigan

4.45/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This beer has got to be one of my favorites that I keep coming back to. It is seasonal and makes a few rare appearances throughout the year.

It pours a medium amber with slight white lacing around the rim. The nose is smoky and the taste is excellent. Almost like a smoked amber with a mild, yet stingy jalapeno aftertaste.

I have tried other smoked beers (chili beers as well) and none have matched the punch of flavor in this beer.
Aug 25, 2010
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

3.97/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Arrives with a cloudy ice tea color and a modest head that leaves a bit of lace

Smell: Smokey, with a jalapeno pepper spice kick

Taste: Opens with a smoked malt flavor that is quickly joined by the jalapeno to produced a smoked chipotle flavor; after the swallow, the heat and smoke mellow out, leaving some grainy flavors in the finish

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: A really different beer; not sure I would want to drink everyday but it went great with the BBQ at Slows
Jun 07, 2010
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5
Enjoyed at Ashley's in Ann Arbour, this jalepeno beer was spot on. Smoke aroma. Golden head with some black spots in it, and a white bubbly Caesar crowning head. Great jalepno taste and a smok bite, although it finishes weaker overall, the Jalapeno spice remains with you. The mouthfeel was a tad below average.
Aug 09, 2009
440 Pepper Smoker from Original Gravity Brewing Company
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 20 ratings