End Of Days - Pipeworks Brewing Company

Treebs

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle served in a mini taster snifter. Bottled February 25, 2012.

A: Pours a black color with brown edges. A thin off white head forms on the pour and dissipates to a thin ring.

S: Smells of strong cinnamon, light vanilla, some lactose sugar and some pale malts.

T: More emphasis on the cinnamon and the ancho chilis finally come out with a nice warming finish.

M: Super thin, almost bordering on watery. There is a slight pepper heat on the finish.

O: I had this on tap at Stout Fest and it was fuller bodied and more flavorful. I'm not sure if there some variation between the bottle and the kegs they have, but seek it out on tap if you can.

**Updated for new batch**

22 oz. bottle served in a Pipeworks snifter. Batch #62

A: Pours a dark black color with a khaki head forming on the pour. It recedes quickly to a thin collar.

S: Cinnamon and chilies up front. Mild chocolate fudge with some roast to it.

T: Fudgey and chocolaty with a great cinnamon spice to it. The chilies aren't at all vegetal and give a great warming spice in the periphery. The finish is sweet with a hint of vanilla and lingering spice in the throat. Very tasty.

M: Medium to heavy bodied with a low carbonation level. Creamy mouthfeel with a spicy and sweet mouthfeel.

O: This is the best batch yet. Absolutely delicious. Leaps and bounds better than the original batch. Great mouthfeel, full bodied and great underlying spice.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 16:59:31 | More by Treebs

Sean9689

Illinois

2.33/5  rDev -38.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottle from WLV Liquors and poured into tulip.

A - Pours a brown color, light cream-colored head, thin collar.

S - Chilies, chocolate, light roasted malts. It doesn't smell like much of anything, kinda watered down. The chilies just weren't well-integrated and the milk stout base is just simply muted.

T - Tastes like a lightly sweetened chili water. It's just too light, even for the style, and there's just something charred and "off" with this beer. Finishes like a chili dumped in water mixed with an ashtray.

M - Way too thin, light carbonation, watery finish.

O - Quite a disappointment for me on this beer. After Pipeworks blew it out of the water with Ninja vs. Unicorn, this beer was a bad experience. Not even sure if I want to send the other bottles I bought as extras. I love you Gerrit and Beejay, but this beer is a pass for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 16:14:14 | More by Sean9689

AgentZero

Illinois

2.23/5  rDev -40.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Second offering by Pipeworks. After Ninja vs. Unicorn, I pretty intrigued and somewhat optimistic about this.

A - A mahogany colored beer, with an off-white head. Left some minor stick on the sides.

S - Smells of cinnamon, some chili, some raw cocoa nibs, maybe a little chocolate and cocoa. It's kind of a mess and there's nothing really good in the aroma.

T - Beer pretty much crashes here. Tastes kind of like dirty water with some cinnamon flavor and a little bit of cocoa. Slight raw nibs taste. I get a slight bit of heat from the anchos, which helps to cover some of the other stuff up. Regardless, this is not good.

M - Medium bodied, moderate carbonation, maybe it's the taste but somehow it seems a little thin/watery.

O - Was hoping for something good after the raised expectations by their first release. Unfortunately this is not a good beer by any stretch. Maybe 3rd time will be a charm.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 15:37:01 | More by AgentZero

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

1.73/5  rDev -54.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

From notes.

The beer itself is a brown color, nearly black with a bubbly off-white head. The bubbly white head is the first sign of problems for a stout.

Chiles, or more realistically, chile oil pops out into the nose. I may be imagining it, but a little bit of chocolate and roasted malt would be the only thing behind it.

The taste is pretty bad. The flavor is really flat, with no real milk stout character. There is some chile and oil, with just a bit of roasted malt in the back.

This is thin, kind of dry, oily, watery, and spicy to the point where it overwhelms the other flavors.

This is the poorest, ok the homeless man’s Hunahpu’s. If you are looking for a beer that is dark like Hunahpu’s but you want a terrible beer instead, this is the beer for you. 5 of us could not finish a bottle of this. It is hilariously bad. I can’t finish a sample-sized pour of it.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 18:43:32 | More by KickInTheChalice

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Chicago Bears shaker pint glass.

Alright, onto the second beer from these boys. Bar has been set decently high... It pours a nearly opaque black-brown topped by a finger of charcoal gray foam, which sort of blazes out in a fit of fizziness. The nose comprises roasted malts, earthy chiles, mild dark chocolate powder, and a touch of coffee. The taste starts off with a straightforward roast-and-cocoa flavor, but then a blast of chile greenery and heat comes rollicking in. Right on. Then, as things are settling down, some mild cinnamon and even milder Irish cream make themselves known. The overall combination works out pretty nicely. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a moderate carbonation and a dry, champagne-like finish. Overall, a nice beer, but a tad thin and fizzy for my tastes. Beyond that, a solid peppery milk stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 17:27:46 | More by TMoney2591

Florida9

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Very dark brown, almost black in color. Forms a decent sized light tan head that slowly reduces to a creamy surface coating. Very light lacing.

S: The aroma is dominated by chocolate, milk chocolate to be specific, with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and just the faintest hint of ancho.

T: More chocolate. Creamy milk chocolate with a moderate sweetness and just a little vanilla. Some spice, mostly cinnamon, but it is fairly faint and in the background. There is a slight earthy, raisin quality from the ancho with a very mild capsicum heat on the finish, but considering the warning on the Facebook page, I was figuring it was going to be much more aggressive.

M: On the heavier side of medium. Lower carbonation. Very mild bitterness. Mild chile spice.

O: On the first taste I thought this one reminded me of Oaxacan mole, but with the heavy chocolate sweetness, it's much closer to Mexican hot chocolate. These vegetal sweet beers typically aren't my favorite, but I found this to be a very nice beer. Very drinkable and very well done.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 01:34:12 | More by Florida9

Khazadum

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Decent appearance, thin collar, not too sticky. Mohogony body.

Big cinnamon. Sharp ancho spice, bits of light toast, where is the vanilla. Chocolate?

Tastes... Weird. Bright cinnamon, burning ancho heat, finishes capsaicin. Hot, burning. Green vegetal pepper and dirt.

Thin, long lasting cinnamon and ancho spice. Decent carb. vlots of heat. Sensitive ninnys need not apply.

Not as good as previous release, but not bad.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 03:14:44 | More by Khazadum

emerge077

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a large tapered mug, almost got the bomber in on the first try. Fluffy mocha tinged foam, about two fingers width at first that slowly settles to a healthy skim after a few sips. Random flecks of spotty lace, not much though.

Nice chocolate and vanilla aromas, hint of sweet ancho spice melds well, though it's a little subtle.

"Mexican hot chocolate" flavors on first impression, plenty of milk chocolate, trace vanilla, cocoa sweetness, cinnamon and earthy sweet anchos. Yes it does have a bit of chile heat that builds over time, so don't chug it, sip slowly over time, though that's easier said than done. Light smooth feel, creamy from the lactose sugar and very drinkable. It's easy to inadvertently gulp and feel a slight chile burn, but it dissipates soon enough. It's a milk stout, not an imperial stout... not meant to be big or chewy.

A creative brew from Pipeworks, can't wait to see what they cook up next.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 23:42:02 | More by emerge077

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours black with two fingers of tan head, slowly recede to a ring around the edge.

S- Lots of green, freshly cut chilies, blends pretty well with dark chocolate, cocoa and cinnamon for a rounded spicy aroma.

T- Moderate chili heat up front, has a roasted center of bitter dark chocolate, some coffee and cocoa and cinnamon, towards the end the chili returns with a lingering spice and juicy chili flavor.

M- Medium bodied, smooth and very creamy feel, good amount of heat from the peppers.

O- An excellent chili beer that blends the chilies, spice, and chocolate really well. This is my first beer from Pipeworks and I'm extremely impressed, this is a really awesome, tasty brew.

EDIT: The newer blue wax batch is considerably better than the older batches. Well done!

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 09:24:00 | More by WillCarrera

Agold

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark with a short off white head. No lacing, no retention, not a super pretty beer. Aroma more than makes up for the appearance. Ancho chilies are probably the best use of the ingredient I have come across. Chilies are sweet and fruity with lots of cocoa and a bit of smoke. It reminds me of a spicy cinnamon brownie. Aroma is exactly as described. Flavor has a nice chili spice, a bit of cocoa, mild fruity roast. The mouthfeel is a bit lighter, but still really nice. Creamy carbonation and very smooth. This beer is outstanding. Very well made with a lot of great characteristics.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 05:05:43 | More by Agold

shodrod

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(poured into a pint glass)
This beer pours a dark black with a nice little tan head. The aroma brings notes of coffee, chocolate, and a bit of fennel. This beer has almost too much going on....almost. The tongue is met with a very smooth, porter-esque front with notes of coffee. From there the cacao nibs make an appearance. And then the finish! Smooth, creamy, and spicy. The chilies add such a whole nother dimension to this. A nice slow burn right at the end.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 04:05:57 | More by shodrod

BeerMeFitz

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours dark brown with little head

S- smells like chocolate and a slight chili scent sneaks in

T-Good chocolate flavors and then the chili heat hits the throat, Me Likey!

M- Little watery but nice feel

O- Looks good and tastes great remember I like spice and stouts...overall WELL DONE BOYS!! I wish I could find another but alas the store shelf is empty

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 20:50:37 | More by BeerMeFitz

dgugliuzza

Illinois

1.5/5  rDev -60.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

Poured from the bottle into a tulip

Pours black with a bubbly tan head. A steady stream of carbonation shoots up from the center of the body. Very strange that the carbonation only appears in the middle of the glass.

The smell is head scratching. Stale and funky followed by spice and heat. Green apple smell is also present. The beer smells as if it may be infected.

Wow, there is a lot of heat coming through right off the bat. A lot of funk and off flavors after that. Diacetyl and green apple are most evident.

Thin and watery mouthfeel with a burst of misplaced carbonation. Like the smell and taste, the mouthfeel is off. Difficult to drink.

Overall this beer was a let down, especially after the high bar that Ninja vs. Unicorn set. This beer was lacking any roasty or malty qualities. granted, this bottle seems to have been infected due to the off flavors and carbonation. Oh well, here's hoping the Pipework's third release mirrors the first one.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 02:51:45 | More by dgugliuzza

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a Half Acre tulip.

A- pours black with a 2 finger light brown head. Spotty lacing resides quickly.

S- cinnamon and peppers dominate the aroma with a hint of chocolate.

T- sweet chocolate, cinnamon and peppers.

M- light body and carbonation. Peppers give it a nice kick at the finish.

O- good and interesting beer. Another sign of good things to come from Pipeworks.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 02:35:06 | More by kawilliams81

areich6

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours pitch black with little head. The head that is there recedes quickly.

S: Smells pretty good, the cinnamon is very evident. Roasty malts are also prominent.

T: The roasts and cinnamon are quite forward in the beginning, tastes a little sweet. The burn of the peppers this is brewed with lingers in the back of the throat. Pretty unique.

M: This absolutely ruins the beer. It is as light as water. This style of beer, coupled with the flavors that are present, should be much thicker. The lack of viscosity manages to detract from the taste in my opinion.

O: This beer would be pretty good if it was only
thicker.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 02:14:42 | More by areich6

pschul4

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pumped for this one from Pipeworks! It's my first from them. Shared with areich6

A- Pours cola brown with very little head

S- I can smell the light chocolate that is typical of a milk stout with a slight chili scent in the backround

T- Nice chocolate flvors in the front with a slight chili burn in the back of my throat, I'm digging this flavor

M- Epic fail here. Quite watery which leaves me very disappointed

O- I wish this taste accompanied a thicker mouthfeel. Flavor is good but mouthfeel kind of ruins this for me

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 02:13:56 | More by pschul4

Listers

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on 2-25-12

Poured into globe glass with minor light caramel head. Smells of chipotle and a little chocolate and maybe coffee. The chipotle really hides most of the other notes in the smell. Taste is chocolate and cinnamon sweetness up front which carefully fades into a full heat experience from the chipotle. The slight burn continues and chases the beer down your throat. The tingle remains on the back of the palate for a good amount of time. There is very little carbonation.

I love spicy food and spiciness in general and I feel I finally found a beer to satisfy my need for heat. I have had other chile beers before like Mikkeller chipotle porter, 5 Vulture, and Stone vertical 11 and this one is done better than all of those even though EoD is not even classified as a chili beer. I don't drink many milk stouts so I don't want to comment on how it compares in that category. Well done!

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 07:05:47 | More by Listers