5 Vulture - 5 Rabbit Cerveceria

secondtooth

Indiana

2.8/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

Pours a clean ruby amber, with a thick, luxurious head. Nice but clumsy lace, if that makes any sense.

Nose is burnt sugars -- caramel and toffee. Unusual and curious.

Taste is toasted, burnt sugar up front, to be followed by a definite hint of heat at the back of the palate, no doubt due to the ancho chiles here. Still, 5 Vulture seems off balance, with far too much weird sweetness. I noticed my bottle was contract-brewed by Minhas Craft Brewery, and this bottle echoes that brewery's propensity for off-balanced, artificial-tasting, overly malted ales.

I'd try this one again now that the brewery itself is up and running, but trust not the Minhas contract-brewed version.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 13:51:24 | More by secondtooth

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.74/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a very dark brown color with a 1 inch head. Smell is of malts, a bit of peppers. Taste is spicy, malty, good pepper flavor without to much heat. Well done. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a different beer I wouldn't want a steady diet of, but worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 14:24:36 | More by tone77

matjack85

Illinois

3.26/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

I bought a single bottle of this chile beer at th Trader Joe's store in Glen Ellyn, IL for $1.50. Didn't want to get the whole 6 pack until I tried it. 12oz brown bottle with no freshness date.

The beer poured a dark brown color but looked more mahogany when held to the light. The 1½-finger beige head lasted a few minutes and the lacing was decent.

The beer smells really sweet - mostly caramel and sugar.

This is a very sweet tasting beer consisting mostly of toasted malts and brown sugar.
Not much hop presence which means almost no bitterness. The ancho chile pepper doesn't hit right away, but just wait a few seconds and then it really hits you in the throat and lingers way into the aftertaste.

Smooth and creamy mouthfeel, medium bodied, and surprisingly low carbonation.

Not something I'd seek out again, but something I'm glad I tried. A very interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 04:04:19 | More by matjack85

SerialHiker

Illinois

2.68/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Appearance: Pours a deep mahogany/amber…dark and dense, not overly transparent…off white head formed and thinned to a nice layer covering the top…it’s got a bit of Belgian yeast life, mildly, but it’s there…it does take the look of a flat beer after about 15 minutes…(3/5)

Smell: Tons of dark fruit sweetness with almost a holiday ale aroma…dark cherry, fig, raisin, malts, earthiness, chocolate, caramel, spices…it’s got a nice smell though it’s not overly aromatic…(3.5/5)

Taste: Classic amber ale up front, sweet/dark/roasted malt flavor, pretty average…but what happens next is what makes this ale different…there is a rush of chili pepper that starts from the back of the throat and touches the outside of my tongue…it does add some unique flavor, but it’s really only trying to improve an average amber beer as it is…definitely warms the belly with each sip…(2.5/5)

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body, tons of carbonation…fluffs up bringing more chili spice to the palate, really setting things on fire…ends sweet and finishes spicy medium…(3/5)

Overall: The more I drink, the warmer my belly gets…it’s a different take on an amber ale, but nothing that I hope catches on…I definitely couldn’t drink more than one of these in a sitting as my gut would ulcer I think…I’m not even sure I’m gonna finish the one I have now…it’s interesting but not worth your precious drinking time…(2/5)

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 01:51:27 | More by SerialHiker

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.13/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle, no bottled on date present, but brewed in my home state of Illinois so I'm going to assume it's fairly on the fresh side. Uncapped and poured to a Boulevard tulip.

A - Pours a rich dark mahogany reddish color with about a finger and a half of head.

S - Spicy. Malty. Dark cherry. Other dark fruit sweetness in there. I would dare to say some kind of chocolatey spice creeps out as it warms.

T - Very distinct malty taste melded together with the dark fruity sweetness which must be coming from the ancho chiles. As you continue to sip on this one, the spiciness begins to creep out a bit more, but it is nowhere near overwhelming.

M - Nice mouth feel, not too heavy nor too weak. The body of the beer is well-balanced and not overly carbonated. The chiles do begin to present a bit of spiciness in the finish.

Overall, not a favorite of mine, but definitely drinkable. I remember not being able to detect any chili spice last time I drank this, but maybe I'm just more aware now. Give it a try, especially if you're a fan of the style. I would try a different spiced chile beer, although I can't say I'm a big fan of the style.

5 Rabbit Cerveceria 5 Vulture ---3/5.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 04:13:24 | More by mfnmbvp

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I poured this beer into a pint glass. It has a dark, rich reddish almost brown color body with a nice thick foamy head that hangs out for a bit then lays down to a nice thin lace, leaving some nice stickyness on the side of the glass. The smell has a hint of ancho chili but has a balsamic vinegar taste to it. The taste is the same as the smell, vinegar and the chili flavor comes through also. The mouth feel is ok and overall thsi is a ok beer, ihave had better. Just let this one warm up a bit then drink it, the flavors are much better.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 02:59:55 | More by chefhatt

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Solid brown when poured. Looks ruby red under the light. Very little lacing and foam.

Smell: Spicy pungency in the smell, but it's not overpowering. Orange zest and balsamic vinegar. Very pleasant.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Mostly orange zest. Nice malt/hop balance. The chile doesn't come out until the finish, but it does provide a nice heat. Definitely more red pepper than black pepper. Mouthfeel is clean, and even a bit oily from the chiles I think. I think this might be the first time "oily" is a good trait in a beer, because I think it fits perfectly with the chile and permeates the flavors. Nice peppery bite in the mouthfeel, but I wish it were a bit thicker to highlight the spices.

Overall Drinkability: This beer gets better as you drink it and as it warms a bit.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 00:38:37 | More by tjsdomer2

BB1313

Ohio

2.35/5  rDev -32.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Pours a very hazy, murky brown color that's similar to iced tea. There's virtually no head, decent lacing and retention. The aromas are sweet and full of caramel malts. It kind of smells like a sugar cookie. I can also pick up some vanilla, toffee, and butterscotch. Diacetyl seems very present.The peppers aren't noticeable in the nose. The flavor is pretty bland. More caramel and butterscotch, with a touch of cocoa. There's some toffee in the mix as well. The peppers are extremely subtle and basically non-existent. I don't think I would've known this was a chile beer. It finishes with a touch of heat, but it leaves you wanting more spice. Diacetyl seems to takeover the flavors as well. It's on the lighter side of medium-bodied and has very active carbonation. Alcohol goes unnoticed.

This beer isn't too exciting for me. I wouldn't seek it out again. But if you're a brown ale fan, give it a shot. I still appreciate a brewery that tries different things.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 21:54:27 | More by BB1313

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Amber colored with a thin white head and pretty respectable lacing. Smell is a sort of cocoa/caramel and very light chile. The taste is caramel, a strong sugar, some peppery clove, and a wonderful slow-simmer chile which never overwhelms but never really goes away. This is probably the best chile beer I've ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2012 15:13:43 | More by WoodBrew

Duff27

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Half finch beige head, translucent dark mahogany body. Cap and collar head stayed throughout, decent lacing.

S- Caramel malts, bread. Has just the faintest whiff of chile. Probably only notice it because I know this is a chile beer, hah.

T- Starts off on the sweet end and only towards the tail end of each sip does the heat come out, very subdued at that. Would not guess this is a 6.4%abv beer.

M- Carbonation compliments the ancho nicely. Medium to medium-thin mouthfeel.

D/O- Well implemented chile heat. Not overpowering in the least as it is with most beers label "chile". Pleasantly surprised with this one from 5 Rabbit.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 01:59:38 | More by Duff27

barnzy78

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle, pours mahogany in color with a thin tan head that leaves some lacing on the glass. Aromas are sweet with caramel, toffee, and some spice. Tastes are sweet also, brown sugar, molasses, caramel, toffee, spicy, and finishes with a bit of a kick that builds as you drink more. Mouth-feel is lighter bodied and smooth. Overall, well spiced, well balanced, not too much heat, but enough to enjoy it. Well done for the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 02:25:30 | More by barnzy78

4thelvofbeer

Virginia

4/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not really sure why this beer has a lower rating. I thought this beer was tasty. Pours a dark red-brown. Has a really nice after-taste from the chilis it is brewed with. Provides a nice little bite on the way down. Nothing really bad to say about this beer. I would not drink more than a few at a time, but overall....not too bad!

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 20:57:39 | More by 4thelvofbeer

Florida9

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Clear dark brown in color. Forms a small off white head that slowly, but eventually fades away to just about nothing. Only the faintest amount of lacing.

S: Lots of caramel malt with a mild earthy pepper undertone.

T: Mild, with lots of caramel malt. There is some dark, earthy pepper in the background, but the flavor is a compliment and certainly doesn't dominate the beer.

M: Medium bodied, but somewhat dirty feeling with an mild astringency that becomes more pronounced as the beer warms.

O: While this isn't a great beer, it's a good one and the blend of a dark lager and some restrained chiles just seems to work. Bought this to pair with quesadillas and tacos and it worked just fine.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 00:40:20 | More by Florida9

Brenden

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

The color is a clear very dark red edging into brown. A big head develops and lasts, remaining as a thick pillow even after it's dropped. Thick patches of chunky lacing are left in plenty before dropping off to webbing.
The nose is somewhat indistinct; this seems like a standard brown to me. Malty backbone doesn't have a whole lot going on, as none of the peppery flavor or heat really come through. There is something like dark fruits tanginess and a light sugary sort of sweetness.
Heat does pull through in the flavor, as well as a little pepper flavor along with it. That tangy fruits thing comes out here also. Sweetness is at good levels. If anything, I'd say this beer is one that's pretty good but would be better if it was stronger. A little thinness comes through in the taste.
I'm a little surprised there's not more body considering the substance of the head. This beer is too light for what it is; in fact, it's downright thin. There needs to be more to support what should be happening. There's a crisp nip and no liveliness otherwise. It should be smooth but isn't, and is a little slick if anything.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 01:21:38 | More by Brenden

hosehead83

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Dark tea/cola color, with a nice two-inch head of light tan foam.
Aroma-Toasted malt
Taste-Toasted malt, caramel, mildly spicy, faintly warming finish. Flavors a bit muddled and unbalanced, but interesting and subtle. A better match with food than on its own. Maybe a plate of tacos or a burrito.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 18:10:48 | More by hosehead83

WVbeergeek

Ohio

1.8/5  rDev -48.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Deep ruby caramel colored ale with a big khaki tan head, fine even layered lacing, I'm scared because of the diacetyle notes already detected. Again as I popped the cap the beer comes gushing out so you better pour quickly. Aroma has dark fruit and band aid notes with hints of dark chocolate roasted malt qualities. Flavor is a cluster fuck of diacetyl, dark caramel roasted malts and supposed chili additions. Either way it's a cluster fuck of a beer that I do not enjoy and will not find a place for in my DBF. Flavor hits me so hard with diacetyl off flavors that I want to retire from beer. The actual flavor is a muddled mess of bitter chemical astringency band aids and alcohol even though it's only 6.4% abv. Look I don't have all the answers but I know beer and this is not a good variation of something I love. Mouthfeel is unbearable pretty much the most horrific beer I've come across in recent times, band aid/chemical bitterness simply kills the beer and I'm not getting any heat from a supposed chili beer. Overall staty the fuck away from this brewer.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 17:31:38 | More by WVbeergeek

areich6

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoying with my good friend pschul4

A: Pours a hazy copper/amber color with small amount of head.

S: Amber malts seem to stick out to me alonng with a very faint amount of citrusy scents. Can also somewhat distinguish some hoppiness.

T: I cant detect a lot malty flavors and that is it really. No hops. No alcohol. The chile flavor becomes more evident as the beer sits in the mouth, but it is significantly lacking for a chile beer.

M: Really smooth beer. Pleasant to drink. Little carbonation.

O: Pretty average overall but not terrible. THe main problem being that for a chile beer the chilly characteristics of this beer are not pronounced enough.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 01:26:14 | More by areich6

pschul4

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A gift from my friend Mike, Thanks man!

A- Pours a traslucent brown with a 1 finger head. Nothing special but nothing bad by any means

S- Very faint. Picking up some malts and some dark fruits. A bit of pepper but as I said, very very insanely faint

T- Much stronger than the scent. Malt is the big player here but there are some nice fruit tastes and some chili taste but little to no burn in the back of the throat. Enjoyable

M- Tries to be smooth but the chili flavor fights it

O- Really glad I got to try this. I really like trying chili beers and this is another chili tick

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 01:20:52 | More by pschul4

suspect

New York

4.2/5  rDev +21%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Dogfish Head Signature glass. Thanks to bpolglaze for the hookup.

A: Beautiful clear, dark amber color. Normal pour leads to a half-finger darkish off white head. Lacing is plentiful and sticks for a long time.

S: Nice caramel malt baseline, some hop presence, definitely picking up on the ancho chiles. They are subtle yet crisply present and add a wonderful touch to this really well balanced beer.

T: Flavor follows suit with the nose. The malt is again the foremost flavor but not in the way that, say an old IPA is malt forward. This one has a supremely nice malt base and is all around well balanced. Again, the anchos are present but not overpowering, it's enough to make you enjoy the fact that there's something exciting going on.

M: Nice creamy feel...perfectly carbonated. Anchos do not provide any heat as they do in other chile beers (Horseheads Hot Jala Jaim comes to mind).

O: A delicious chile beer. Not hot but the flavor is wonderfully mixed in to a perfectly balanced beer. At 6.4% this is an easy drinker and one that I'm glad to have had the privilege of trying.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 01:59:01 | More by suspect

ChadQuest

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pour is a dark worn dirty leather color. After a bit only a thin ring remains, per usual.
The aroma gives hints of the chili over a caramel malt base, and a touch of smoke. Really interesting aroma, i don't know why but good chili beers always make me stick my nose in them a lot, they really capture me. I like this.
The flavor of the chili is just warming, and then fades out, leaving you wanting another sip. If you take a long continuous sip there is a slight tingle with the chili flavor. The malt is the right level to support but not over ride the chili, if it was any stronger you would lose the chili flavors.
The mouth feel is low carb, medium body.

This is a good chili beer, i have drank 3 tonight, i just keep wanting to drink it, and i never open repeat beers(except maybe hopslam). I will pick up this often, happy with this purchase.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 05:05:54 | More by ChadQuest

oline73

Maryland

2.8/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a bottle into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy reddish dark amber with a finger of off white head that fades to a ring around the edge of the glass.

Smell: Mild malt, mostly bready with just a touch of sweetness.

Taste: This is a fairly bland beer overall. Some malt with a fruity note. The finish does have a touch of heat to it.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a lot of tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: I was very happy to get to try a chili beer from a brewery I hadn't heard of before. While I wasn't hugely impressed, it wasn't a bad beer, just a tad boring.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 02:33:33 | More by oline73

wschmit

Illinois

2.65/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12 oz. bottle into a Perfect Pint. No dates, apparently.

A: A clear, bock-like rusty brown body topped by a tan, cloud-like head with mild retention. A bit of carbonation up through the body, but not much. Not as "dark" as I expected, but I've never had a Oaxacan-style dark before.

S: Smell is mild, even dull. I don't get much chile at all, just some worn out hops and some musty malt. Meh.

T: Taste is equally meh up front. Thin malt at the beginning, with muddled hop bitterness throughout, until the ancho hits. Noticeable, but not strong, and not hot (unless you're really spice-averse). That feature is well executed. I just wish the rest of the beer was equally inspired.

M: A bit thin, but I suppose the carbonation suits the chile. Insipid.

O: For a commercial example of a chile beer, this might be worth it in a mix-six. Otherwise, I'd pass.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 04:52:04 | More by wschmit

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Ruby and bronze in color. Quick head and foam, but good bubbling.

Roasty, toasty, and a little smokey, malt aroma. A little smokey fruit aromas as well.

Heavy toasted malts with some added, smokey hints here and there. The middle gets a little musty, and the finish holdsto the toasted and faintly smokey malts and chilis.

Palateis smooth and a little oily. This is a chili beer I could drink one after the other.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 01:03:58 | More by scruffwhor

sweethome

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pour is light brown with red hue - almost chestnut. Very light colored head - rises up nicely.

Nose of carmel malts, candy sugar and spicey backing - I'm picking up the peppers, but don't know if I would have identified as such without knowing they are there.

Entry is quite soft, a bit on the watery side for this color - sweet malts with a black pepper feel midmouth. Hops provide some palate cleansing and a touch of bittering. The chili doesn't come in until the finish. As I consumed, the cumulative effect led it to being there throughout.

Some very nice flavors here - chocolate, black pepper and chilis - but seems to lack a bit of depth in mouthfeel that would help the flavors to shine. The rather thin feel makes the flavor a bit clunky.

A nice effort - interesting flavor profile, going in it's own direction. This has the makings of being a good signature beer for this brewery. Flavorful and drinkable, but complex and unusual. Just wish it had a bit more depth.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 23:10:37 | More by sweethome

vande

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a - a sandy colored two finger head that shrinks to one finger quickly...darker top than bottom as it seems to thin out..but definitely a somewhat clearer crayola brown in hue.

s - some Mexican spice, bits of chocolate, light hop aroma... interesting...

t - little peppery, somewhat spiced beer... leaves a "warm" feeling on the tongue, but not bad...intriguing..

m - somewhat thinner, yet creamy flow

0 - an interesting beer...not sure if i could drink a 6 pack, but one I could share out and try..

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 01:40:42 | More by vande