Noche De Los Muertos - Aztec Brewing Company

hopsputin

California

4.21/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

a: dark black with a hint of deep purple near the bottom. large 3 finger tan head, pretty even

s: roasted bitter malt, milk chocolate, definitely a little bit of cinnamon in there. something almost oaky, sweet lactose. kind of a grainy green hop towards the end

t: whoa, right up front the toasted malts fight with cinnamon and sweet chocolate for space on your tongue. the toasted malts and sweet chocolate win and dominate the flavor. the cinnamon is there, but slightly - and providing more a spice in the background. there some creamy lactose flavor with some figs. ends with a clean grassy-like flavor.

m: medium - lighter than i expected. normal amount of carbonation

o: good not great. i was expecting the cinnamon to be featured a little more an harmonize well in the beer. it's there, but in the background. the resulting flavor is still a tasty stout though with a nice mix of toasted and sweet

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 04:44:48 | More by hopsputin

Nugganooch

California

4.21/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

22oz bottle with my FW snifter glass
El nota Cinco De Mayo

A: Dark oily black body with garnet edges. Looks near purple when held at certain angles in the light. Completely opaque none the less with a mocha cream head. Ample stay on it that decorates the glass with some splashes and dots of lace.

S: Super dark roast grain aromas abound. Loads of smoky charcoal partner with molasses and a brown sugar sweetness. Dark chocolate meets with a roast barley coffee likeness. No off aromas as others have picked up on. Surprisingly there are no real scents of cinnamon noted either other than a touch of earthiness in there. Pretty nice nose with lots of familiar stout character.

T: Bold and rich flavors provide a very classic style stout character with notable roast malt, coffee, bakers chocolate, molasses, and charcoal. I am getting a hint of black licorice there and a little dark fruit perks as the beer warms up. Otherwise fairly clean yeast profile. There is a nice balance from a subtle hop bitterness to the beer and the alcohol is incredibly well disguised. The cinnamon asserts more of an earthy bark note on the finish providing a nice trailer of warming spice. The restrained use of the cinnamon is appreciated and pairs fantastically well with the warming alcohol notes. Surprisingly good stout with those familiar flavors.

M: Moderately thick consistency. Nice though and not too heavy or tacky on the palate. It’s fairly light feeling actually from the creamy smooth texture and lifting carb. Some light peppering bitterness and a touch of drying towards a rather clean finish. Slight alcohol warmth exudes in the end.

D: While I was expecting to be hit with a ton of raw cinnamon flavor here what I actually got was just a really delicious and drinkable Impy Stout. Don’t let the cinnamon sticks deter.

Would be pleased to have another.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 21:10:23 | More by Nugganooch

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A-pitch black with a nice thick and sticky tan head

S-medium roast coffee with an odd hint of chlorine.

T-comes in with a slightly spicy flavor of medium roast coffee. I find the cinnamon to be very evident with a more peppery type of spice rather than a holiday type of spice. I lasts awhile with an after-taste that seems to have some anise to it. Definitely a unique stout.

M-medium carbonation with a semi-dry finish

O-this would be a lot better if the smell wasn't off. It just smells flawed, I never understand how brewmasters are okay with releasing beers like this. The flavor itself is pretty decent. As others have noted, there's not much hint of the large ABV. I don't recommend spending the money to get a bottle. They really need to work on this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 02:30:26 | More by AdamBear

jamisonspitzer

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Aroma: The aroma is subtle and pleasant. No hints of the cinnamon with which it’s been brewed.

Appearance: Pours pitch black and opaque. There’s the slightest hint of red at the edge of the glass, like really dirty transmission fluid. There’s about 1/4” of head that lingers as I let the beer warm up. Ahh…The head expands as I drink from underneath it.

*Getting deeper into it now and there is some solid lacing. The head's holding up nicely.

Taste: Definitely heavy on the roasted malts. Deep, dark and bitter. I’m still not getting the cinnamon by itself but perhaps that’s the little “extra something” on the edge of the bitterness. The flavor is balanced and smooth. No hint of the high 10.2% ABV.

Mouthfeel: Not as creamy as you’d expect for such a dark beer. It’s relatively watery but with a wine-like dryness. It’s very drinkable and I’m enjoying it, but I’m definitely going to need a glass of water when I’m through.

Overall I’d recommend this, although I’m my next trip to the shop I’m going to try something different.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 20:48:44 | More by jamisonspitzer

mactrail

California

3.08/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Very dark velvety chocolate color. It even tastes like dark chocolate. Fine-grained foam lasts and lasts. Quite a lovely brew in the small Brugs chalice. Beautiful lacing never quits.

Huge flavor of sweet malt, candy, and fruitcake soaked in Yukon Jack. Interesting and intense, but hard to get down more than a small glass. Actually, it's unebelievably sweet. The cocoa and marshmallows keeps coming back. Hard candy, a lot of bitter chocolate. Drier finish with plenty of wood.

Has that slightly plasticky nose homebrew and in general tastes like it was brewed with extract. From the 22 oz bottle bought at Best Damn in San Diego.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 04:42:57 | More by mactrail

CurtisLoew

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into dogfish head tulip.

Pours pitch black. Cannot see anything through the light. HUGE tan head. I poured carefully, and the head fills 3/4 of the glass.

Smell is a smack of fresh coffee. Interesting, because I don't think this is brewed with coffee. Also get some of the spices, cinnamon.

Taste is not as good as the smell. Quite astringent. Cinnamon, roast, black licorice.

Mouthfeel is too effervescent.

Good beer. Hides the 10% well. Interesting use of spice.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 03:13:24 | More by CurtisLoew

Sean9689

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Another rando growler from Alex. :D

A - Pours black, tan-colored head, thin collar, wisps on top.

S - A nice balance of cinnamon, chocolate, and pepper. While it's straight-forward, it's done very well. The booze is barley noticeable for over 10%...wow. Light roast in there as well.

T - Basically the same as the nose with a little more chocolate sweetness and roast. The cinnamon, spice, and chocolate work well together and are balanced perfectly. No real booze, which is impressive. Finish is creamy chocolate with a slight cinnamon kick.

M - Full body, rich and smooth, creamy spiced finish.

O - This beer is exactly as-advertised and definitely worth a try if you like your RIS with a slight kick. Very creamy, barely any alcohol, and great balance help make this beer something to enjoy.

Serving type: growler

06-07-2012 15:33:30 | More by Sean9689

MasterSki

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to jimmy2282 for sending me a growler of this obscure offering. Served in a variety of glasses over the course of 24 hours - Kuhnhenn goblets, Darkness snifters, etc.

A - Generous tan foam settles to a thin collar, wisps on top, and splotchy lace. The body is an opaque, inky black, with a hint of dark brown at the edges.

S - Nose is quite unique - I knew this was a cinnamon beer going in, but those that were unaware thought it was some sort of earthy white pepper smell, and I'd be inclined to agree. In any case, it's well-integrated into the traditional roasted malts, dark chocolate, and licorice flavors and never threatens to overpower the base beer. No obvious alcohol, which is pretty impressive.

T - Taste is good, but maybe not in the same league. A hefty dose of melted chocolate meets dark fruit and moderate roast. The cinnamon is less present, showing up late and lingering into the finish. Again, alcohol is negligible.

M - Chewy, viscous, smooth, and creamy, with plenty of residual stickiness and a bit of roasty dryness. Perhaps a tad watery for the listed 10.2%, but still on the heavier side of medium bodied. There's some mild cinnamon tingle on the palate, and perhaps a touch of warming alcohol after a full glass. Fairly low carbonation.

D - Quite nice. I generally dislike cinnamon but this won me over with it's tasteful usage. Kind of like a Hunahpu's Light, but minus the peppers. Really easy drinking considering the ABV and cinnamon usage - I easily killed a glass while typing up my review notes.

Serving type: growler

05-14-2012 02:50:14 | More by MasterSki

UCLABrewN84

California

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Aztec Brewing Company in Vista, CA.

Pours an opaque black with a dark khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt and some slight cocoa and coffee aromas. Taste is of dark roasted malt, cocoa beans, brown sugar, and cinnamon. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is an excellent RIS with a very nice cinnamon presence in the flavor due to the cinnamon sticks used in the brewing process.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2012 01:25:55 | More by UCLABrewN84

HopHead84

California

4.47/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

11/26/2011

On tap at Aztec Brewery. A Russian Imperial Stout spiced with cinnamon.

A: Black with a creamy beige head.

S: Rich dark chocolate accompanies roasted malt and a little licorice. I get coffee, earth, and a whisper or smoke. Cinnamon is a welcome addition and it's used in tasteful quantities.

T: Dark chocolate melds with plum and molasses. Cinnamon is light and well integrated. For 10.2% the alcohol is very well hidden, I get none of it in the taste. Earth meets coffee and a pronounced roasted malt presence. The finish is chocolate, roast, and coffee, with trailing cinnamon.

M: Full in body with upper moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is chewy and sticky with evident alcohol warming.

Overall: This is quite good. Incredibly smooth for the ABV and the cinnamon is a nice touch.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 17:39:00 | More by HopHead84