Mexican Chocolate Stout - Copper Kettle Brewing Company

brentk56

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: The ebony colored liquid arrives with a tan head that leaves sheets of lacing behind

Smell: Chocolate, cinnamon and a hint of ancho chile

Taste: Chocolate and cinnamon, up front, with the heat from the ancho chile building by mid-palate; while the chile flavor dominates the finish, there are also vanilla, chocolate and cinnamon elements that linger in the background

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation; chile heat tingles the tongue

Overall: A lot of subtle flavors linger under the ancho; though I might tone down the heat a tad (and make it more like Westbrook's Mexican Chocolate Cake), I also kind of like it just the way it is

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2012 20:33:06 | More by brentk56

mactrail

California

3.83/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Seriously black color served in the tulip glass. Nice lacing. Really strong scent of cinnamon, and hugely fragrant in the nose. One mouthful and you're in for a surprise. Quite peppery hot with intense flavors. Definitely tastes like Mexican hot chocolate but with a level of chile heat I've never encountered in a beer. Great dried dark red chile flavor, ancho and guajillo according to the brewer.

The heat does mellow out after a while, but it's a rough ride for the throat. Still, it's by far the most flavorful chile beer I've had, and if you don't mind cinnamon it is a must-try just for the experience.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2011 03:55:13 | More by mactrail

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.13/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

there is really no beer like this one in the world. it pours an unassuming inky black color with a mocha colored head only a half inch high, fading quickly. that is where the average features end. the smell is insane, notes of spicy cinnamon bombard the nose, followed by notes of burnt malt, dark chocolate, smoke, and ancho chili. its almost sweet on the nose with all the cinnamon, very breakfasty, familiar somehow. the flavor is a total trip. it starts off with the cinnamon, moves into a very dark roasty coffee and dark cocoa flavor, before the 3 pepper spice sets in. it isnt hot in the traditional sense, but it is warming for sure. there is so much flavor packed into this beer. very hard to describe because there is no equal that i am aware of. it has a wild feel to it too, not totally pleasant for everyone i dont think, but it worked wonders for me. sweet and thick in texture, bitter for a short time, with a chili pepper heat that is mild but ever present, it sits in the upper back of the throat for some time, not burning, but reminding. not much carbonation going on, but it doesnt need it. overall this is one hell of a unique brew, and it should put copper kettle on the beer map. sensational stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2012 19:09:53 | More by StonedTrippin

ArrogantB

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Copper Kettle, this was quite enjoyable. Dark black as a stout should be with a decent head. Smell is heavy cinnamon but not at all cloying. The flavor is cinnamon and has a nice bit of heat on the finish. Overall I liked this more than I thought I would and while I could only drink one at a time I would definitely order this again. Good stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2011 01:46:50 | More by ArrogantB

Domingo

Colorado

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Been wanting to try this since they first opened. It's a chocolate stout using semisweet chocolate, cinnamon, and chili peppers.
Arrives a deep black - not much light making it through this one! The head's well sustained and it laces as you work your way through it.
The nose is big on cinnamon and chocolate.
The taste comes in 3 waves. Up front it's a mild chocolate flavor that isn't too sweet, but is tasty and well defined. In the middle there's a huge wave of sweetness and cinnamon. The finish ends with a bit more cinnamon, but then a decent amount of heat and some actual chili flavor. There's a lot going on from three different directions, but it works well!
I had 2 of these and had I not been driving I probably would've kept getting more. It's really wonderful and worth going to the CK for by itself.
A unique treat that really shows what they're capable of.

EDIT: Had this again a few days later and the cinnamon had mellowed a hair and the pepper flavor was a little enhanced. I don't think the beer is any better or worse (which is a good thing) but it's just worth noting.
I've since gone back on many, many more occasions...I can't get enough of it. The cinnamon has definitely been dialed back a tiny bit and the chocolate comes out more. My rating numbers are spot on, but I really find this is so interesting that you'll crave it...or maybe hate it The old "drinkability" rating would've been off the charts for me.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2011 14:18:36 | More by Domingo

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.13/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Beer buddy of mine has been raving about this place. Figured it was about time to check it out! He specifically mentioned this beer so I ordered a pint. Sounded interesting, a beer with chili, cinnamon, and chocolate.

The beer arrived in a pint glass. Totally black in color even when held to the light the edges are still black. Decent 1 finger head with good retention and solid lacing throughout.
The aroma is dominated by chocolate and cinnamon, big time!
The flavor is quite complex. At first you get the chocolate, but not sweet chocolate, more bitter. The chocolate is followed by the cinnamon and malty sweetness. The heat of the chili pepper comes gushing through right after the cinnamon and really controls the palette. It's quite well crafted though really well balanced. The beer finishes with a lingering cinnamon pepper heat on the tongue. Hides the alcohol quite with with so much going on.

Overall, I enjoyed this beer. I would happily order again and recommend to friends. Very unique and tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2012 14:02:50 | More by hopfacebrew

DenverLogan

Colorado

4.29/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured on tap at the brewery.
I should say I've had many versions, including the original with Thai peppers added.
Always a winner...with a growler refill wasn't $25 but hey, at least they will sell it and it's worthy!
Pours black with small dark head.
Big aroma of dark malts, dark chocolate, bitter chocolate.
Modest carbonation with big mouthfeel.
Flavors of red pepper, dark chocolate, dark roasted malts...wonderfully balanced and intriguing...large tantalizing effect in the mouth...big malts, significant but hidden hops...flavorful and satisfying if not inviting. Could be dangerous in a can!!

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2013 05:20:13 | More by DenverLogan

Schmittymack

Colorado

4.23/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewery. Poured a darker brown, nearly black with a small lingering brown head. On the nose, I got dark chocolate, cinnamon, some vanilla, and a tough of chilies. Taste was dark chocolate, cinnamon,a touch of vanilla, with a nice warming finish from the chillies. Definitely a nice beer; will have this again next time I'm down in South Denver.

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2012 08:56:28 | More by Schmittymack

Ratman197

Colorado

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Copper Kettle poured a clear dark reddish brown nearly black with a small lingering brown head. Aromas of dark chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, light carmel and a hint of chilies. Mouthfeel was medium bodied and smooth with a warming finish. Flavors of cinnamon, dark chocolate, light vanilla and a hint of chilies with a smooth warming lingering cinnamonb finish.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2012 23:57:23 | More by Ratman197

estlinska

Arkansas

4.85/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Man, what a beer! Tasted on-tap in the tasting room at the Cooper Kettle. Poured a deep, dark ebony, the color of a true, hardcore stout. This beer just eats the light around it. It had a tall dark khaki head the color of a slightly burnt cookie. I was warned when I ordered this beer by the fella next to me that this beer "smelled and tasted like a cinnamon stick," but he was way off. There was plenty of cinnamon to the nose, but it was full of complex smells including cinnamon, peppers, dark dove chocolate, and something resembling an oatmeal stout. I fully expected this beer to just slam into my palate, but it was crazy light on the front in. I tasted a ton of roasty, chocolatey malts and just when the flavor was dissipating, the peppers flowered out of nowhere. They really started to assert themselves as the glass emptied itself way more rapidly than I thought was possible. It was like drinking a hot cocoa while chewing a chile pepper. Very subtle alcohol and almost not carbonation that I could detect. Very gorgeous beer and I'll visit again next time I see the in-laws.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2013 02:28:30 | More by estlinska

FrankenBeerStein

Colorado

4.68/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is an awesome beer. Pours out dark with little head into a tulip style glass. Big hit of cinnamon up front, blending with the chocolate in the mix, along with the heady deep stout flavor. Ends smooth, and a nice little chili afterkick follows when one stops drinking it. Absolutely fantastic, though it is a bit stronger on the cinnamon than I would have liked. Am told the next batch is being adjusted with less cinnamon, more chocolate, which should allow the chili to shine through more. I plan on being back and will add an "EDIT" to the review, but for now...it is awesome and complex....definitely a "must try" if you find yourself in the Denver area.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2011 08:26:34 | More by FrankenBeerStein

HopsCup

Colorado

4.71/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Sampled this lovely number at Mountain Sun during Stout Month, haven't gotten over it yet. Perfect chocolate/stout balance, with a liveliness not usually found in chocolate stouts. Not too creamy, just dark, spicy, with bright chocolate notes and a warm, roasty bouquet.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2013 00:41:44 | More by HopsCup