Lips Of Faith - Cocoa Molé - New Belgium Brewing

rawfish

California

4.2/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours dark brown nearly opaque with some garnet red highlights. Forms a small half finger mocha head even after a vigorous pour. Poor retention that doesn't leave hint of lace on the glass.

Incredible nose! Sweet dark chocolate, very raw and earthy that melts into a deep caramel and crystal malt backbone. Very rich notes of brown sugar, raisins, plum, molasses and cinnamon. Maple finish with a breath of alcohol. One step from a sweetness overload but well done.

Chocolate malt in the forefront but not as complex here. The taste develops straight into a cinnamon like blast that escalates into a chili burn and peppery finish. Spiciness lingers on the finish with more gingerbread and spice. Very pleasant for a cold spring evening.

Alcohol very well hidden beneath the malts and spice. Chile burn mellows and warms though enhancing the sticky feel on the palate. Mellow carbonation and average body help the overall character.

A brilliant chile beer that really enhances the chile through the malt and spices. Feels like a winter warmer and a lighter take on a Belgian quad. Well crafted, I'm came away very satisfied with my purchase.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 03:31:02 | More by rawfish

derkfromwi

Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Half-finger just off-white head, dark red-brown color, no lacing

S: Dark chocolates, spices, cinnamon, good smells

T: Chocolates, peppers, and spices, some of my favorite flavors, this is awesome for me

M: Nice feel, smooth, medium-bodied, good carbonation, touch of heat from peppers, bit of earthiness

O: Very good stuff, not too hot, I liked this a lot, something different and tasty, need to get some more

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 08:16:05 | More by derkfromwi

DarthKostrizer

California

3.88/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Thanks to UCLAbrewn84 for sharing this nice beer

Look: Brown and semi translucent with a 1/4 inch head and good retention

Smell: Cinnamon and a little chile spice

Taste: Cinnamon chocolate and chili heat

Mouthfeel: Thin body and medium carbonation

Overall: I am a fan of chile beers and I really enjoyed this one as well. I thought the cinnamon did over power the chili just a touch

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 07:23:31 | More by DarthKostrizer

notchucknorris

California

3.98/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Dark brown color with a thin but long lasting tan head and some decent lacing.

S: Amazing! Smells like mole. Lots of cinnamon and unsweetened baking chocolate along with some brown sugar and chile spiciness.

T: A bit sweet and smooth upfront with some dark chocolate and a bit of earthiness. Then the peppers hit, but the taste never gets overwhelmingly hot. Leaves a lingering warmth on the tongue and a bit of a dryness on the finish. Biggest complaint is the thin mouthfeel. A great experiment and a pretty awesome result.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 21:47:57 | More by notchucknorris

TeHStalker

Maryland

3.38/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I was actually a little bit disappointed with this beer from all the hype that I herd surrounding it. Brown and not as dark as I would have liked or expected with a tan head that quickly disappears. Smell gives off a lot of spice and some cocoa, mainly chile peppers actually quite pungent. The taste starts off full and a bit of a chocolaty malt but quickly is overshadowed by the spices. The spices are too overpowering and the balance between spices and chocolate are not very complementing, finished with a bit of cinnamon. Usually like spicy food but this beer was not for me. I guess I am more of a hop head in the making but I think that this beer is certainly different and worth trying. Others who I shared it with really liked it.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 19:59:50 | More by TeHStalker

drabmuh

Maryland

3.73/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

At the time of this review this is the #1 Chile beer on the "Top Beers - Chile Beer" list. Beer poured from a 22 ounce bomber into a New Belgium globe glass, it is called planning ahead, look it up. Also at the time of this review, this is the #89 beer on the "Top Beers - New" list, the ever changing beer. This beer was very cinnamon forward and spicy on a dry finish, it was fine but 22 ounces of it was a lot.

Beer is brown and clear with a thin tan head of small bubbles, moderate to low carbonation, low retention, low lacing, looks fine.

Aroma is mildly chili pepper and cinnamon, cinnamon wins.

Beer is light in body, dry on the finish, all of the chili flavor comes in the finish, it is mildly hot, the forward of the beer almost tastes like chai with a little clove and a lot of cinnamon flavors, it was fine but I won't have it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 14:26:26 | More by drabmuh

DovaliHops

California

3.98/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brownish-purple with hints of ruby red. Medium-small, off-white head that disappears quickly. Scent is immediately packed with chile and bell-pepper. Sweet chocolate and dark malts as well. Taste is VERY interesting. A lot of different spices...cinnamon, cumin, black pepper, and crushed red pepper. Very nice chile flavor with a good amount of spicy heat. As the beer warms and the more sips I take, the more heat I get. Finishes with sweet cinnamon and cocoa. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and spicy. Drinkability is fairly high if you can handle the heat. Overall, this is a very good chile beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 06:22:31 | More by DovaliHops

ChugginOil

Illinois

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice reddish/brown transparent color. There is half a finger of off-white head that sits briefly. A bit of lacing spots.

Then nose is full of cinnamon, gingerbread, brown sugar, cocoa and some pepper heat. Very nice and interestingly inviting.

The taste really does have a pepper kick to it. The cinnamon from the nose is just as present in the taste and pleasantly so. A bit of cocoa. There are some slightly sweet contributing flavors that are match with a nice peppered out heat factor. The heat lingers for just a bit, all while masking the abv nicely.

The mouthfeel is nicely carbonated and is medium bodied and allows the flavors to flourish.

Overall, this is pretty damn delicious and the pepper integration is lovely. Great non pepper spices are used to evenly match the spicy pepper attributes. Nice.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 08:08:59 | More by ChugginOil

CasanovaCummins

Nevada

2.83/5  rDev -29.1%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Very colorful, Mariachi style graphics. Very fun look.

Sorry to say, but the pour is a murky brown pour that isn't appealing to the eye. Minimal head that fades quickly.

Smells strangely of Cocoa powder, molasses cookies, and a cold chicken sandwich! A bit confusing. Not unpleasant, just a little cold on the nose.

The taste is a swirling Uber-sweet flush of spice heat. Ayyyiiiiyyyiii. Man, that pungent sweet heat packs a wallop. I'm grabbing for a tortilla to knock back some of the heat. The heat doesn't dissapate but grows with each mouthful.

Found this a bit overwhelming. A snifter pour is a good serving size, anything else is masochism!

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 02:10:54 | More by CasanovaCummins

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

4 oz pour at Bottle Revolution. Big thanks to Ted!

Looks very murky brown, kind of reminds me of Sugar Plum Brown from CCB. Small head.

Smell isnt much to look at. Didnt realy get much out of it.

The taste is, well, wow. Initially, cinnamon dominates all the way. But actually the cinnamon fades leaving hints of malt and a touch of peppers. The heat comes in the back end near the end of the beer.

Outside of the pepper heat, the body is light, and it feels like a brown ale plus peppers.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2012 18:47:40 | More by VncentLIFE

ArrogantB

Colorado

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle $8.49. Dark brown color with a minimal head, looks red up against the light. Smells pretty good like cinnamon mostly and a hint of cocoa. Tastes like cocoa, cinnamon, and has the slightest bit of heat from the peppers, spicy. The alcohol was pretty well hidden but maybe that is the peppers masking it. This was a pretty nice beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 04:10:55 | More by ArrogantB

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.18/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

sensational and different! pours a brown ale color with some good bubbling. smells outrageous. tons of cocoa powder in the nose, bits of cinnamon, and some smoked pepper vibe, pablano maybe. flavor is so balanced. cocoa powder up front, not sweet at all. then comes a little heat, but not in your face, ancho the bottle says would account for that smokey thing. good caramel and chocolate malt sweetness and richness. pleasant mouthfeel, works with this beer. medium bodied to fuller bodied, and a mildly spicy booze laced finish, especially as it warms up here. the cocoa is what is memorable for me here, i like this one a whole lot. way above my expectations!

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 02:22:53 | More by StonedTrippin

Intrik

Texas

4.03/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - Dark rich mahogany brown with hues of red through the light. Accurate two-finger head with some nice lingering head retention.

Smell - Bitter chocolates with a sweet lingering end. I can feel a slight nice from the peppers along with the chocolate. Makes my nose slightly tingley.

Taste - So damn interesting! Almost feels like a brown ale on the beginning taste with a kick of spice from all the peppers. I'm not green when it comes to spicy food so it doesn't really linger bunch, but a few quick sips and it will remind you that they did put some nice peppers in this beer. Chocolate calms it down and sweetens up the beer immediatly.

Overall - Interesting beer! I would love to grab another few of these for Cinco de Mayo.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 02:07:15 | More by Intrik

Cyclone8

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

This is my first beer review - I love this beer so much that I had to weigh in! It is unique and delicious, one of the best that I've had. The pervasive flavors are cinnamon and chocolate, and there's a spiciness that gives you a gentle kick in the head between sips. I stocked up on it, the spicy/chocolate combo will go great with grilled food this summer. I have a few friends who "don't like beer", though they've enjoyed some of the things I've poured for them - this one will definitely be added to that playlist.
The Lips Of Faith series rarely disappoints, and this is another wonderful addition to their canon.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 22:09:13 | More by Cyclone8

n2185

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark brown with ruby highlights and a finger of khaki head that fades into a thin layer with no real lacing.

S: Nice mix of vanilla, nuts, creamy chocolate, and spice on the nose. There is also a sweet floral aroma to this beer.

T: Lots of vanilla and nutty flavors up front followed by creamy chocolate notes. The finish has a nice, spicy kick to it with notes of cayenne and cinnamon that leave a slight burn on the back of the throat.

M: Medium body with lowish carbonation, the spice gives it a nice kick that prevents it from being watery, though I could wish it were a bit creamier.

O: A good beer overall, that definitely reminds me of a mole sauce. It has a good amount of heat, though I could wish for more cocoa presence. Still, it's unique and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 22:01:12 | More by n2185

homebrew311

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Props to the cool label art on this one... having this on taco night. Poured into NB snifter.

A: pours cola colored with slightly tan head, not much retention, good amount of lacing, decent clarity

S: nose is very unique, honestly it smells like horchata... tons of cinnamon and cream, notes of vanilla, a faint hint of cayenne, cocoa is there but serves as more a supporting role to the spices

T: the taste basically matches the smell spot on, smooth and creamy, cinnamon and sugar along with sweet cream, some roasted cocoa is in there as well, finishes with a zing of cinnamon.

MF: body is somewhat thin, moderate carbonation

O: for what it is, this is an extremely well executed beer. It captures the Mexican culture, not only in the cool label art, but also in the balance of flavors. I am a big fan of mole and have tried other mole inspired beers and have been disappointed (see New Holland Mole Ocho)... this one has great balance and really works with that sweet and spicy combo. Well done New Belgium.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 06:28:28 | More by homebrew311

rtaps

California

3.93/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

thanks to UCLABrewN84 for opening this one

pours a dark brown with a khaki head with minimal retention.

plesant aroma here spicy, cinnamon and chipotle with coco like coffee

spice flavor allspice/nutmeg and a cinnamon hotness to it. with coco blended together well

light bodied and carbonated leaving the mouth dry

overall it was a very well made chile beer. the spice was there but didnt steal the show and didnt make it unenjoyable

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 05:10:03 | More by rtaps

seedsofchaos

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

My local bottle shop just got this in tonight and a buddy and I decided to give it a go-around. I can definitely say, Cocoa Mole is like nothing else I've ever tried.

Cherry cola in color, Cocoa Mole pours with just a skimming of a head. Although dark, it has great clarity, active carbonation and highlights of ruby. The aroma is immediately sweet. This smells more like freshly baked cinnamon churros than a beer. Just a touch of cocoa and a touch of fresh sweet pepper but mostly sweet malts and cinnamon..

The bouquet isn't immediately echoed in the flavor as black pepper and alcohol are perceived first. Barleywine-esque malt sweetness comes in quickly on this full bodied brew. Definitely... Without a doubt... Spicy!! Cocoa Mole is so spicy, in fact, that it makes me feel as if I've just eaten a stuffed habenero and am on the verge of heartburn. Eventually, your palate gets used to the edge and a subtle chocolate begins to take its place among flavors of churro batter, cocoa and fresh peppers.

This is definitely a unique beer and, whereas I wouldn't be opposed to having another some time in the future, I wouldn't seek it out ever again. This is for sharing and sipping as the lingering spice can be quite unappealing at times. Different but not necessarily in a good way...

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 02:28:11 | More by seedsofchaos

oberon

North Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is the most interesting of the Lips of Faith beers I have had.Poured a deep mahogany brown with a thin tannish colored head atop.Smells of chocolate,vanilla bean,and cinnamon,to me like Mexican hot chocolate,really cool.A bunch of stuff going on on the palate with chocolate being predominant as well vanilla,cinnamon and chili comes into play at the back end providing a slow burn.A little light in the mouth but thats the only small drawback to the beer,it's the most interesting take on a chile beer I have had.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 21:23:27 | More by oberon

dogfish90

California

4.35/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz. bottle from Sunset Beer Co.

Appearance - Dark Brown in color with little to no head. Small head is caramel in color.

Smell - Heavy cinnamon/chocolate aroma mixed with chiles and various piney spices

Taste - Immediate and robust burst of Cinnamon/chocolate and french toastesque flavors as well as chile and spices.

Mouth Feel - Smooth with a caramel resin over your teefs.

IMO, this beer tastes exactly how it smells. It's a beautiful change to my everyday choices. I highly recommend Cocoa Mole for anyone that is up for something "different". I kinda don't want to finish this beer, i just want to keep smelling the beautiful aroma.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 06:34:36 | More by dogfish90

sommersb

Tennessee

3.93/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tasted On: 01-30-2012
Freshness: Bottled 12-21-2011
Packaging: 22 oz. brown bottle
Glassware: New Belgium globe glass
Purchased: Single from Midtown, Nashville

Color is a dark brown, like chestnut, with good clarity. Head is tan and a couple of fingers high. Lacing and head retention are fair.

Aromas are of chili peppers and chocolate, with some caramel and malty sweetness. Cinnamon and other spice aromas make for a complex nose.

Taste is both spicy and sweet, with milk chocolate up front and then some chili heat in the back. I also get some cinnamon flavor. Has a nice alcohol warming effect.

Smooth mouthfeel on a medium body. The finish is slightly sweet with some heat from the chilies.

Overall I though this was a very good chili beer, but not as good as some other chocolate chili beers I've had such as the Reunion and Vixen.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 03:30:01 | More by sommersb

duckrabbitfan

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on-tap at The Busy Bee Cafe in Raleigh, NC

pours a deep mahogany with offwhite/beige head, some lacing, looks sexy.

smells exactly as advertised. very enticing. chocolate is there but the spices are more dominating

same with the taste. it's a really nice, slow burn, and the spices are just right.

this is a really unique brew. so glad to have gotten it on tap. had it again in the bottle and there was an appreciable difference as far as the burn and the spices are concerned. i think everything would be a 1/2 point lower if i were reviewing the bottle. just fyi.

(additionally, just for the sake of information, i followed this up with a terrapin 2010 gamma ray, also on tap at the busy bee, and it was probably the best/most unique 1-2 punch i've had in some time, if not ever.)

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2012 03:01:52 | More by duckrabbitfan

jsanford

Georgia

4.28/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle poured into a NB Globe

A - Pours a dark mahogany with a dense ivory head that settles to a thin ring and pillow of haze.
S - Deliciously unique aromas of Mexican hot chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, and chili peppers. As someone who eats a lot of mole...this smells exactly like mole. Amazing.
T - Taste is similarly mole-centric, with deep, complex flavors of bitter chocolate, cinnamon, chilis, and dark roasted malt. The chilis add little heat to the body of the brew, but definitely add up in the back of the throat after numerous sips.
M - Moderately creamy, with a medium body and fairly sharp carbonation. Body is nice for this type of beer, and the slightly high carbonation aids in keeping the chili character from getting unbearable.
O - A wonderfully unique beer that certainly evokes it's namesake. I'd love to see this become a yearly release, it's that good.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 01:39:44 | More by jsanford

ehammond1

California

4.2/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Bottle

Thanks for opening this one, UCLABrewN84!

Dark brown body without a lot of visible carbonation activity. The beer eventually leaves spots of lace down the glass.

An incredibly unique aroma: decidedly Mexican coffee/chipotle peppers/rich, dark, chocolate mole, with enough roast to round out any sharp edges. Comes together very nicely.

The flavor is interesting, unusual, and delicious. The cinnamon and earthy spices are at the forefront, with bitter Mexican chocolate and coffee elements as well, with pepper heat lingering on the back of the throat after every swallow. Quite a unique drinking experience.

I suppose my only complaint would be with the mouthfeel, though I'd be nitpicking. Though there wasn't a lot of visible carbonation, it seemed, if anything, too carbonated in the mouth.

A unique, interesting, awesome chile beer. I'd recommend drinking this one fresh, as the chiles are vibrant and flavorful, though not overpowering or truly spicy in a classic sense.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 22:57:43 | More by ehammond1

UCLABrewN84

California

4.18/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear dark brown with a khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Random streaks of lace form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of cinnamon and other spices and Mexican hot chocolate. Absolutely fantastic smelling. Taste is of cinnamon and other spices, cocoa powder, and some slight chile flavors. There is a slight warming in the back of the throat from the chili after each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp and clean mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer taste wise but exceptional in the smell.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 22:19:59 | More by UCLABrewN84