Lips Of Faith - Cocoa Molé - New Belgium Brewing

NoLeafClover44

Delaware

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

Served in a standard pint glass at Billy Jack's in Harrisoburg, VA.

A - Pours an extremely dark amber color with a one finger nearly white head that dies quickly. Doesn't leave much lacing.

S - Smells like rich cocoa, apple-cinnamon, and spicy chile powder.

T - Intensely sweet and spicy with the same flavors that were in the nose. The hot pepper spice becomes more apparent as I drink. The aftertaste is similar to a brown sugar cinnamon pop-tart. This is not at all a bad thing.

M - A medium-thick body and great carbonation. Maybe a bit chalky; I almost feel like I can feel the fine-ground cinnamon on my tongue. A little spicy on the finish and the strong flavors hide the alcohol well.

O - I couldn't resist trying this beer when I saw it on draft because I love spice and this is the number one beer of the style on this site. The flavors and aroma are powerful, but never out of hand. The spices really come out as it warms. If I see this beer again, I will definitely get it. Very different from other beers, but suits my tastes well and the high ABV is hidden.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2012 04:27:09 | More by NoLeafClover44

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On-tap at Taste of Tops in Tempe, AZ.

A: Dark brown in the glass but a beautiful deep, brownish red when held up to light. A bit of lace and a bubbly ring of white foam around the edge. Foamy, quickly-fading off-white head when swirled around the glass.

S: Lightly roasted malt, cinnamon, fruity-holiday spice, chocolate. Awesome.

T: Fantastically unique. Fruity, malty, spicy. Complex yet simply delicious. Great stuff.

M: Smooth with tons of flavor. Easy to drink. Leaves a pleasant taste on the palate. No alcohol presence whatsoever.

O: An amazing beer. Great cold straight out of the tap or warm after some time sitting. The hype is real on this one. Easily the best Chile Beer I've had although it seems to fall into another style. New Belgium really knows how to brew these "Lips of Faith" beers. I would without hesitation order this again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2012 00:50:31 | More by Gatch

ccrida

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On draught at Bailey's, served in a small nonic, Cocoa Mole is garnet with a small off-white head leaving scattered lace.

Smell is spicy, cinnamon toast, fairly vibrant.

Taste is very complex. Big cinnamon toast crunch cereal vibe, kind bark, but with a nice heat on the back finish. This is by far the best example of this trend I've had.

Mouthfeel is dry, spicy, medium bodied.

Drinkability is pretty good for such a beer. I really like the sneakiness of the heat. The flavor is robust but not overwhelming. Dig it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2012 01:31:17 | More by ccrida

zeff80

Missouri

4.23/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at 44 Stone, Columbia, MO

A - Poured a jet black color with a one-finger, light brown head of foam. It left thin rings of sticky lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of chilies and spice with a touch of roastiness.

T - It tasted of chocolate, toffee and roastiness. The spices from the chilies are mild but nice.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This is a very good chilie beer. I really like the roastiness to balance the chilies.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 01:53:38 | More by zeff80

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

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

tdm168

North Carolina

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

On tap at Wine 101 in Wake Forest.

Poured a dark caramel-brown with little head. The nose is distinctly cocoa powder and cinnamon. The flavor is very intricate. At first cocoa dominates. As I took a few more sips the spices began to come through. There is some cinnamon and nutmeg as well as some cayenne pepper that leaves a tingly spice in the finish. Just like a good mole sauce, there are more intricacies here than one can explain. This is a medium bodied, smooth, lightly carbonated beer.

This is an intricate, complex beer. The flavors are unique and enjoyable. The ABV is big but it's still drinkable. If you enjoy cocoa and spices, you'll love this.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2012 21:08:54 | More by tdm168

wedge

North Carolina

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

@ Busy Bee

Dark ruby color with a fine, filmy head and a slim, creamy ring around the edges. Spotty lace. Warm cinnamon is prominent in the aroma…very much like apple crisp with increasing chocolate as it warms and only a faint hint of chilies. Cocoa, caramel, and spice are brought together in a smooth blend of flavors. Sweet, but not too sweet, vanilla and peppers providing some heat in the finish. Pretty damn tasty! Medium bodied and warming with fine carbonation. Very nice…

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2012 03:48:24 | More by wedge

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A-dark reddish brown with a thin light tan head

S-mix of cocoa and chili pepper, it's really the flavor more so than the heat. smooth scent, almost creamy. medium to good strength

T-comes in with a decent mix of cocoa powder, cinnamon, and chili heat. the taste of cocoa is weak but noticeable. the heat is pretty apparent, loss of the pepper flavor though unfortunately. quality is mediocre. after-taste is mostly the heat.

M-medium creamy carbonation with a semi-dry finish

O-it's a pretty decent chili beer. I've had few beers that can make a good cocoa/chili blend, but this is pretty close! i think they could've had a strong cocoa flavor while keeping some aspect of pepper flavor, though i'm glad the pepper was in the nose.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 04:22:54 | More by AdamBear

blackie

Virginia

3.78/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

bomber, Nick's of Clinton

a: poured into a wide piraat chalice, a clear, deep mahogany brown in color, topped with a smattering of carbonation

s: caramel and chocolate malts form a base for notes of pure sweetened cocoa and roasted peppers - carries the smoky/sweet aroma representative of freshly toasted peppers - ancho, guajilo, and chipotle in this instance, mild cinnamon notes, mild to moderate spicy target hop aroma, it’s tough to pin down, but everything here comes together fantastically

m: lightly carbonated, medium-full with a sugar slickness

t: sweetened cocoa, caramel malts and some slight chocolate malts, and toasted peppers slip in together, smoky and dark sweet flavors with an enticing heat that builds past the finish to a strength relative to the time between sips, but never becomes hot - actually a bit of a tease, leaving me wanting more, it’s an interesting flavor set, but it doesn’t come together quite as well as on the nose, some alcohol on the back of the tongue, mild to moderate bitterness

o: a very interesting concept that i’d say was executed successfully, I’ve had decent pepper beers before, but in this case the play between pepper and chocolate adds an extra dimension of interest

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 03:10:53 | More by blackie

Lucho

Florida

3.99/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

shared with good friend chardlogic "rich" I have been sitting on this bottle for 2 years.

Appearance: Half finget head. not much lacing. translucent brown. nothing too crazy

Smell: Cinnamon Toast Crunch! that cinnamon hits you up front. then the peppers come in. well balanced with the sweet cinnamon.

Taste: Cinnamon up front but those peppers what want to fight back. then it finishes nice with some sweet chocolate then last taste is the heat of the peppers. not so much that you are not begging for another sip. I could this beer being too much early in its life. Its awesome now with the few years of age.

Overall: considering this is a brown ale and not a stout with peppers like huna or abraxas. This is an awesome beer. still has a few years on it if you want. who knows where it will go.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 23:33:53 | More by Lucho

Justin_Neff

Ohio

2.94/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22oz bomber

A: Pours a dark brown body, translucent when held to light. Fizzy light brown head. Disappears quickly with no lacing on the glass.

S: Strong cocoa flavor. Spicy pepper aromas. Sweet malt and cinnamon.

T: More pepper than anything. The sweet and spice conflict - not good. Some chocolate and cinnamon.

M: High carbonation. A little dry. Medium Body.

O: Appreciate what it's trying to be, but not my cup of tea.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 19:37:21 | More by Justin_Neff

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.89/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The LoF series has been very hit or miss for me, and same with chile beers, so hopefully this is good. Thanks to JonnyGalt (Reddit) for this one.

Pours a light fizzy barely covering head that fades pretty quickly, just a touch of lacing, maybe due to the abv, or possibly the chile, not sure, over a mostly clear cola brown colored beer with some mahogany light coming through.

Nose is interesting and kinda weird, there is some chile in the background, ancho or poblano like chile with a nice green chile aroma but doesn't seem much heat (at least from the aroma), as well as a weird chocolate aroma, cocoa that seems ot have been aged a bit too long, light creamy melted cocoa. Then some light cinnamon and hint of a nutty spicy like cardamom almost but not quite, as well as a biscuity like crusty bread crumbs almost like the edges of a pie or coffee cake. Under all that is some malts, caramel, molasses, some sweet brown malts.

Taste starts like hot cinnamon cocoa, a candy drink almost. Plenty of powdered fake cocoa mix like having a Swiss Miss hot chocolate, but there is plenty of cinnamon in there as well. Then heat kicks in, again not a ton but plenty to let you know it's there, as well as a green chile the ancho mostly, and some hot chiles, chipotle in the middle. Other light spices, again hint of an earthy nutty root like spice I can't really label, and light Xmas like spices but barely. Then malts kick in, some caramel, light molasses and biscuit again, hint of toffee, fair sweetness and other toasty brown malts. Light pie crust again, and coffee cake crumbs. In all that is a hint of booze warmth but that's mostly drowned out by the pepper heat. Finish is sticky and a bit syrupy, long lingering sweet caramel, molasses, some hot cocoa powder mixed to a thicker feel, some lingering heat from the peppers. The heat mostly dissipates fairly quickly, pops in to say hello, then goes back down below.

Mouth is med to a bit heavier bodied, plenty of pepper heat but not overbearing, lighter carbonation.

Overall pretty good, I like the pepper heat, it's a nice level that you def know it's there but doesn't destroy the beer, and even a light pepper flavor which is nice. The malts are nice as well, caramel mocha molasses, toasty bread crumbs, coffee cake, etc. I wasn't a huge fan of the cocoa as it tasted more like Swiss Miss hot cocoa powder rather than cocoa nibs and dark chocolate kinda taste. The cinnamon and other spices are interesting and a nice addition but I wish the cinnamon in particular was a little toned down. The lack of carbonation is probably the only real gripe I have. However, those are nit picking as this was a pretty good beer all around.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 03:07:56 | More by jlindros

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A really fun beer. Dark brown, slightly hazed, modest off-white head, some patchy lacing on the glass. Aroma of bittersweet chocolate and chiles, bready malt and cinnamon. Flavor nails the mole vibe perfectly; it’s got the cinnamon, chile, and cocoa powder, hints of raisin, all nicely balanced with a chewy, bready malt backbone in support. Moderately sweet, noticeable heat in the finish but not overly aggressive. Medium body and carbonation, maybe a little unexciting in this department.

If you like Mole this is an obvious choice. Not an everyday drinker, obviously, but like Indra Kunindra, a good time if this kind of thing is up your alley.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 04:42:13 | More by tobelerone

mattdruid

Illinois

4.8/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Cocoa Molé from New Belgium Brewing is my favorite beer. It was my first encounter with a Cocoa flavored beer, but it remains the best I've yet tried.

The beer doesn't look that great, and when I tell my friends how much I love it they doubt me when they first take a look at it.

But if you like the taste of Molé, this beer rocks it. I think that my loving Molé in Mexican food heavily influences why I love this beer.

If you really like Molé, you should really enjoy this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 00:03:13 | More by mattdruid

TKEbeerman

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: poured into my taster, this brew pours a caramel red with an average head. Nothing to special.
S: The aroma of this brew is just a hint of chocolate. A little pepper is present in the noise. Natural chile.
A: the flavor has a very ballanced pepper tasted with chocolate to mellow the peppers. the peppers kick on the back of the pallet.
MF: the mouth feel is a little thin and the carbination is light, but still the body of this brew can hold up....barely.
Overall a unique beer, worth the try.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 03:23:52 | More by TKEbeerman

Homerb3

1.53/5  rDev -61.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

I did not like this beer at all.

I saw it, liked the bottle, read the ingredients and thought that could be good. I was wrong.

Had a nice light brown color.

Poured almost flat with no head at all.

The taste was spicy chocolate in a bad way. Burning alcohol aftertaste.

I normally like all of New Belgiums creations but do not recommend this unless you wanna play a joke on someone,

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 12:43:02 | More by Homerb3

brystmar

Texas

3.78/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Review #700!

Brown body becomes a translucent liquid, leaving behind sticky beads of lace. I remembered this being a stout but I was clearly wrong.

Fruity aroma starts things off, oddly, reminiscent of a Belgian strong ale. Spices, hints of green chiles, sweet malt. Meh, nothing special here.

Taste makes up for the shortfalls, blending spicy chiles, chocolate, dark fruits, and the malt base into a unique brew. Really needs more body, as the current incarnation is unacceptably weak.

All things considered, Cocoa Mole would be better as an imperial stout. Pretty good nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 23:53:17 | More by brystmar

BrutalSusan

Texas

2.9/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

bottle to pint glass.

Quickly diminishing head. Translucent brown in appearance. Strong cinnamon and baking spice flavor with a little pumpkin and a hint of salt on the finish. I feel like it needs more of a bittering hop presence. decent beer if you split three ways, a half pint is all i need. should be released in the fall. it would make for a nice after dinner drink. Not my thing, but an unusual beer that i am glad to have tried.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 07:17:40 | More by BrutalSusan

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -1%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a cherry mahogany raisin color - looks more like the color of many barleywines. Carbonation is gentle but only because this was poured in a Duvel glass. This is a really odd pour because it has nice bubbly foam as it hits the glass but sounds like you're pouring a soft drink with lots of bubbles and dies down equally as quick with nothing left behind, not even a lacing ring.

S - Chile peppers, cocoa powder, and light smoke.

T - Toasted caramel malt hit the tip of the tongue immediately followed closely with dry cocoa powder and warm chile peppers. There's some dark fruit buried way down there also with some cinnamon as well. Leaves a lingering blend of light cinnamon and cocoa with a warm and light burn in the back of the throat.

M - Heavy medium body to heavy body, rich and creamy texture, and light carbonation.

O - This beer is a unique one with an odd combination that works. Something tells me I'll have all hell to pay tomorrow after it works through my system. (!!!) Looks like a glass of dead beer that's been sitting out all night, which is a downer, but not a deal killer. As the beer sat in the glass the chile burn faded somewhat.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 22:12:36 | More by jzeilinger

Dope

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +16%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Bottled 02/26/12

A: A nice dark amber/brown pour. Good-sized soda-like tan head. Very fizzy, fades fairly quickly. No real sign of lacing, maybe a dot here and there at best.

S: A bunch of cinnamon with some cocoa mixed in. A touch of vegetal chile pepper but barely there. There is however, some discernible heat from the chiles.

T: Up front there is some chile pepper flavor with some caramel. Turns into cinnamon and then the chile heat joins it. Cocoa strong in the middle but strongest in the finish where it almost stands alone briefly. Nice strong bite from the chile peppers in the middle and through the finish, but nothing obnoxious or overpowering. Goes quite nicely with the bitter cocoa and sweet caramel in fact. A bit of smoky heat lingers between sips (chipotle?). This is unbelievably good.

M: Medium bodied, decent carbonation seems to heighten the chile heat a bit.

O: This is one hell of a chile beer. Great combination of chile heat, bitter cocoa and caramel to sweeten it all up. Very drinkable and well balanced. Easily the best crafted chile beer I've had. By a long shot.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 03:28:56 | More by Dope

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

2.63/5  rDev -34.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottle to tulip.

A - Medium brown; very slightly translucent. A small amount of cream coloured head formed on the pour and immediately disappeared.

S - Roast, spice and spicy chillies. Not much chocolate at all in the nose.

T - Roast, chocolate and chillies with a bit of a kick. Some cinnamon is present in the finish. The chillies completely dominate and drown out the other elements of the beer. I couldn't get through more than a few sips of this one.

M - Light body. Moderate to high carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 13:34:30 | More by TheSevenDuffs

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Received as an extra in a trade poured into a dogfish head chalice.

A - Pours a crystal clear dark brown hue with a quarter inch blanket that left light lacing.

S - Aromas of light chocolate and chili. Appealing.

T - Taste is really nice with lots of chocolate and chili with nice barrel notes resulting in good vanilla and coconut flavours.

M - Mouthfeel is not bad for a chili beer, would benefit from more carbonation though.

O - Overall this beer wasn't that bad but really could use a boost of appearance and aroma.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 00:41:14 | More by rudzud

outdoor7or24

Georgia

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

22oz bottle purchased at Jay's in town, poured in pint glass and shared with SingingTheNews today on a rainy Saturday.

A: Autumn red brown, it's dark, but holding it to the light reveals its true color. One finger head that quickly fades, very light brown colored.

S: Cocoa, peppers, roasted malt that has a hint of sweetness to it, smoke, some cinnamon hints at the finish.

M: Thin, watery body.

T: Cinnamon, heat, peppers, spicy chili, chipotle, a hint of caramel at the finish

O: I really like this beer, after the first bomber I went and picked up another. Hope to see this again in the future. The complex flavors + the spicyness of the brew are a great combo.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 19:23:45 | More by outdoor7or24

cosmicevan

New York

4.48/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

thanks mike! enjoyed on 8/8

a - pours purple with thin bubbly head.

s - smells crazy. spices cinnamon pot pouri with some cocoa. lots of sweet nutmeg like candy. WILD and different.

t - mmm...tastes nice. chocolate with cinnamon. some spicy pepperiness. peppers.

m - prickly carbonation. the peppers and spicy heat. tickles my mouth. spicy heat that works.

o - extremely unique. spicy, cinnamon and chocolate. the peppers and heat really is a wild combo. for a chile beer, this one works!

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 02:04:08 | More by cosmicevan