New Holland El Mole Ocho - New Holland Brewing Company

bashiba

Iowa

3.66/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a deep amber/brown with a thick and creamy tan head. Light lacing with mild retention.

The smell is sweet and caramely with a touch of rye bread and a light bit of pepper.

The flavor is a nice mix of malty sweetness with mild chili flavors coming through without any heat or hops to speak of. Has a heavy brown sugar flavor as well.

The mouthfeel is creamy and thick with a bit of warming.

Not a bad chili beer with the pepper only being a mild component to a big malty old ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 01:56:07 | More by bashiba

MrPlayboy

4.44/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bought a vintage 2012 bottle on a whim because I was looking for something similar to Dogfish Head Theobroma. This was not the same but was a very nice version of cocoa chili beer.

Appearance: Dark reddish hue with a light almost white foam that settled quickly leaving a thin layer. Slight lacing on the glass.

Smell: The aromas coming from the tulip are complex and easily distinguishable. Chocolate brownies, chili pepper, sweet raisins, dried fruit, roasted malt, and brown sugar.

Taste: The flavors all come through big and bold. It doesn't leave you guessing as to what you are tasting. You get a lot of chocolate, some peppery chili spice, lots of dried fruit, and a hint of sweet molasses. This is almost too sweet. The fact that it is just under 10% ABV is disguised very well but I would almost like to have a little more of a boozy flavor. The sweetness is not balanced well and it either needs more spice or more hops to even things out. This is something that you can sip slowly but a whole 750ml bottle is a bit much in one sitting.

Mouthfeel: Bold and full-bodied. Light carbonation to carry it down the hatch.

Overall: El Mole Ocho is a unique experience. It is the most complex chili beer that I have ever had and I think I prefer it to Theobroma for its big and bold flavors.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 19:13:45 | More by MrPlayboy

superspak

Michigan

4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, 2011 vintage at 8.4%. Gusher upon opening, but doesn’t seem infected. Pours fairly clear mahogany color with a small 1 finger fairly dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of roasted coffee, chiles, chocolate, toast, caramel, brown sugar, toffee, and light smokiness. Damn nice aromas with good balance and complexity; very nice blend and balance of the coffee and chili counterparts. Taste of caramel, chocolate, coffee, chile skins, toffee, cocoa, toast, brown sugar, light smoke, and earthiness. Minimal spicy heat on the finish; with lingering notes of caramel, chocolate, coffee, chile skin, toffee, toast, cocoa, brown sugar, and earth on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice flavor balance and complexity; all flavors meld together nearly perfectly; with zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a creamy and fairly slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice chile beer! Great balance and complexity of all flavors; and very smooth to sip on. I really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 07:38:59 | More by superspak

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Vintage 2012. Glug-glugged into a pint glass.

Cloudy chestnut-colored brew. Looks like mulled black tea with a foam topper. The head subsided with some speed. No lacing to speak of.

Smells of ancho chilies and musty chocolate. Strange confluence of aromas produces whiffs of red apple, grape, and tart berry. A very fruity mole with toasted grain malts in the nose. Somewhat lager-y.

Oh man, too sweet. Way too sweet. Has a raisiny sweetness to it that is off-putting. A hint of spiciness that doesn't isolate itself amongst the fruit esters and sugar. The chocolate is muddled, too. Some dusty cocoa, but the mole is certainly not the feature here. I get dark fruits, light booze, and some toffee. Just a messy ale. Doesn't taste bad, but it needs more bitterness and less candi sugar.

While the alcohol is pretty well-hidden, but it's almost flat without carbonation and sticky sweet and syrupy in the body. Pretty difficult to drink.

What a bust. This beer falls into the steer clear category. If you're looking for something spicy and chocolatey, you won't find it here.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 04:29:06 | More by thecheapies

McNealc31

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +19%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a bit lighter than expected. Rather than being a dark brown, it's closer to a dark iced tea. Fluffy beige head that has not settled a nanometer since the pour. Intense aroma of bitter chocolate, bitter coffee, and chiles. Big, big flavor with the chiles becoming more prominent. The chiles give this a distinct fruitiness, but I am not getting the heat I expected (and wanted) considering how much flavor there is. Mix of bitter chocolate and coffee give the back end a full, round taste and feel.

El Mole Ocho is part of New Holland's High Gravity Series, clocking in at 9.8% ABV. There is not even a hint of alcohol heat here.

Really digging on this beer. Daring flavors, velvety texture, great balance, and unique. My one complaint is that I would like more chile heat. But that's just nitpicking

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2012 00:35:59 | More by McNealc31

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

3.8/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber poured into Gulden Draak tulip glass.

Appearance- Brown in color with an off white head that dissipates pretty quickly with no lacing.

Smell- Lots of coco with chocolate and some piney hops.

Taste- Wow all chocolate and coco. Not sweet though, like an unsweetened chocolate. This is a great flavor but after drinking half the bomber I was left wanting some kind of hop balance.

Mouthfeel- Medium mouthfeel with a pretty dry finish.

Overall- Very interesting and like nothing I've ever had before. My only real gripe is the lack of hop balance. Putting some bitter sweet hops in there to mix with the chocolate and coco flavors would have put this beer over the top.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 18:05:07 | More by BrownAleMale

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

22 oz bottle, label indicates 2012 vintage.

appears a deep brown with ruby highlights. cream colored head, great retention and good lacing.

aroma is a bit subdued compared to the taste - just a bit of dark fruit and pepper. taste is smokey, tingly, burn of the chilies, a bit of roasty cocoa/coffee finish. a bit cloying after awhile. body on the thicker side, low carbonation.

overall - too much for one person - hard to drink the full 22 oz. maybe better as a smaller size.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 02:09:57 | More by jmdrpi

cagocubs

Illinois

4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at NHB.

A: Rustic brown with some amber tinting at edges of glass. Minimal head due to water flush prior to pour.

S: A sweet and smokey smell. Good spicing to beer.

T: Good smokey and spicy flavors with complex malts and sweet caramel malts. Some hops come through.

M: Good taste and aftertaste. Warming and inviting.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2012 03:26:19 | More by cagocubs

57md

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a brownish-copper with a half finger of head the dissipated quickly. There is a faint touch of malt in the nose, that is all. A bit sour upfront combined with light chilli pepper heat on the finish. A nice effort, but finishing the offering was a tad difficult.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 03:25:07 | More by 57md

Etan

Illinois

3/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle into a tulip.

A: Pours a reddish mahogany with a small tan head.

S: Green chile in the nose; peppery and vegetal.

T: More mole-like in the taste. Dark chocolate, cocoa, green pepper, a bit of coffee roast in the finish, a little heat from the peppers.

M: Lively carbonation, medium-bodied.

O: Interesting, but the aroma was quite unpleasant, and the taste wasn't much better. Not something I would try again, especially at this age.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 17:30:36 | More by Etan

RuckusDu

Colorado

3.18/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle from 2012 vintage. Into hotel tumbler.

A - about a finger of light cappuccino head that falls at a moderate pace. Body is a clear deep amber with a lot of red coming though.

S - Very sweet with lots of red pepper flake spice. Brown sugar and caramel. Also a slight sourness.

T - As far as hitting the mole flavor right on, this beer accomplishes that. So much spice in this like I'm eating Mexican candy. Not what I want out of a beer. Also tastes a little like some pumpkin beers. Coffee/chocolate flavors are present, naturally.

M - Very strong body that doesn't feel very thick, just a lot of carbonation or something. The scoville rating on this is not alarmingly high, but you can feel a little of the spice in the back of your mouth.

O - I guess the only thing I have to really compare this to is NB Cocoa Mole, which was excellent and much sweeter. This does a better job matching the flavor, but isn't as good of a beer to drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 22:36:51 | More by RuckusDu

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.5/5  rDev -2%
look: 1.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Vintage 2010 pours a murky apricot with a pinky of khaki head. Stays murky, no head retention or lacing

S: Orchard fruit & figs

T: Follows the nose, woody hops, a touch of peppery spice & dryness up front. Slight coffee flavor as this warms, more pepper too. Finishes fruitty, dry, boozey with a spicy pepper flourish

MF: Medium bodied, slight carbonation, decent balance

Would love to try this fresh I believe this would be a different beer. Interesting but nothing great in its current state...

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 02:31:00 | More by russpowell

MadScientist

New York

4.35/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A medium brown with excellent clarity and a half inch of a rocky, light tan head that leave lacing on the glass.

The coffee, cocoa and chilies peppers are the first thing you smell. The chile aroma isn't smoke how dried ones usually smell, there is the kind of green chilies impression but it's defiantly not like a fresh pepper. There a malt richness with almost no yeast character. There is a very low melanoidin in the background.

Malty and sweet with a touch of chile pepper flavor along with the heat that builds slightly and continues long into the finish. The heat is very mild. The coffee and cocoa flavors come into focus mid-palate. The flavor elements of cocoa, chile pepper, coffee and malt are all in balance until the the finish where the chilies and alcohol warm dominate.

It has a medium-full body with the low carbonation increasing the perception of weight on the palate. The alcohol give it some warmth and a slight solvent character towards the finish.

This enjoyable beer does a great job of reminding me of the flavors I taste in the first couple of bites of a mole sauces. This is a rich complex beer with that strikes a balance between the ingredients of cocoa, chile pepper, coffee and malt characteristics bringing those flavors together and makes them play nice.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 23:07:48 | More by MadScientist

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up the new 2012 version for $6.99 at Beer Nutz in Verona. Now clocks in at 9.79%

A - Pours a very dark honey brown but is very clear. Very minimal head but I did get a 1/4 inch of mocha colored atop that quickly reduces to a mild lace ring.

S - Smell is very mild I do get some mild cocoa powder, touch of coffee and very little spice in the nose which is pleasant and sweet smelling. Hope it's not too spicy.

T - I am actually quite impressed... for the first pour. It was advertised as being a straight up "mole" tasting beer. Starting off with sweet cocoa like powder then the spicy twang of pepper but incredibly integrated leaving little burn and then finishing with some mild coffee/sweet malts... But as it warmed (second pour) the grains got a bit harsh and the peppery spice got to me a tad. Still went down rather smooth.

M - Medium to heavy with so much going on I wasn't too surprised it overwhelmed me a tad.

Overall I may revisit again since it was one of the best beers I had by New Holland. Even better than the 2011 vintage of Dragons Milk. Worth trying if you like Mexican mole.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 23:17:29 | More by DrDemento456

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter. 2011 vintage. This gushed on me a bit, but isn't overcarbonated. This is the second time in as many days that a bottle has done this to me. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.

3.0 A: Clear deep mahogany brown color. Could only muster about a finger of tan head that fell quickly and left no lacing.

4.0 S: Smells as advertised. Chilies give off a spicy vegetal vibe. Big hit of cocoa powder. Nutty and toasty. Grainy and sweet neutral maltiness. Coffee to round things out.

3.5 T: Tastes like it smells, but it doesn't impress quite as much. Solid chilie presence, which offers more of the taste than the spiciness. Not as much cocoa powder as the nose, but still quite noticeable. Nutty, toasty, grainy with coffee. This is much less malty than I was expecting, but I wouldn't go as far as to say this is dry.

3.5 M: Medium body. This could use a touch more carbonation and another dose of creaminess. Other than that, it's good enough here and super smooth.

3.5 D: I'm a sucker for these types of brews. This is a good one, but better ones exist. Still, worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 23:10:10 | More by DavoleBomb

HoposaurusRex

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark mahogany with half inch head that quickly dissipates. Thin layer of head remains through the end.

S: The nose on this beer is intense and invigorating. Spicy/smokey chile aromas are very prevalent. Slight hints of cocoa as well.

T: I was expecting this beer to pack a punch on the palate given its intense nose, but I was surprised by how subdued the chile flavors were. Chocolate and cinnamon notes right off the bat with a slight kick from the chipotle coming through in the finish. While sweet, this beer is in no way cloying. I would have enjoyed a bit more cocoa flavor as well as a bit more of a spicy kick in the finish.

M: A bit thinner than I anticipated. I was expecting (and hoping for) a more syrupy mouthfeel that could be cut by the spiciness of the chile. On the plus side, the chile as well as the alchohol do lend to a nice warming mouthfeel.

O: I have had a few spiced ales, some of which I have immensily enjoyed, others that I found to be complete flops. The more I drank of New Holland's El Mole Ocho the more I liked it. I feel that a good spiced ale can often serve as an excellent after dinner beer. However, this beer's more subdued, balanced, less syrupy nature makes it more fit to pair with a dish of spicy pulled pork or Mexican fare.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 05:21:15 | More by HoposaurusRex

barczar

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear caramel brown with amber highlights and a solid beige head that settles into a layer of foam on the surface.

Fruity pepper, cocoa, and caramel malt dominate the aroma.

The fruity pepper carries into the flavor, slightly spicy but not overpowering, with cinnamon adding complexity and sweet malt and chocolate providing contrast.

Body is moderate work moderate carbonation and significant alcohol warmth.

Interesting brew. Fruity pepper flavor dominated and was nicely accompanied by sweet chocolate and cinnamon. Wouldn't want a whole bomber, though.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2012 01:20:04 | More by barczar

wethorseblanket

California

3.48/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle shared by Roy.

A: Pours a clear, dark reddish brown with a thin off-white head. Very sparse and spotty lace.

N: Grainy malts, hints of chili as it warms. An unusual "antique" oak wood quality reminds me of varnish, in a good way.

T: Roasty with faint chocolate and chili. Trace coffee notes. Some faint and mild chili heat on the finish.

M: Medium body and low carbonation. 8% alcohol is evident. Wispy chili heat finish.

O: Wanting more chocolate and chili like a true Oaxacan mole. Interesting, but once is enough.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 20:51:11 | More by wethorseblanket

SickGnar

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Careful – older bottles may be gushers – 2011 vintage. A dark red / light brown chestnut color. Crystal clear with multiple streams of bubbles rising to the small, light khaki/stone colored head that settles fairly quickly to a ring and leaves a few splotches of lace. Okay look for a higher abv brew.

S: Dark, rich, bock-like malty sweetness lead the nose followed by a good bit of basic nut brown beer smell. Faint touches of cocoa & chili. Ghost hints dark fruits & peppery alcohol. Not really as bold as I anticipated. Chili ( and cocoa too somehow) seems to have dropped off with age. Smells like a mildly interesting biggish brown. Still a fair bit going on a fair strength.

T: Sweetness is less dominant than in the aroma, but it still leads. Malty and nutty base gain a bit more depth. Cocoa gains only a little, but it also gets a ghost hint of roast at the end. No hops detected. And the peppers? Well, there is a bit of chili flavor and sí – es un poco picante. Especially the end and finish. I think some of the heat may be from alcohol, but other than that it is well disguised.

M: Medium to a bit full leaning body with carbonation under-matched and seeming a bit light for the heft. Just barely enough CO2. It has a sort of wet & flabby feel initially, but just a few sticky sugars, and it gets a touch drying mostly from abv. Good bit of warming & heat from both the chili and the alcohol.

D: Neat idea – very interesting and sort of “daring do” to try on a commercial endeavor. And they pull it off reasonably well. It has a pretty simple malt profile, but with enough umph to frame the beer well. And even aged it has a nice level of chili heat and a bit of flavor. I imagine it was more forward and bold when fresh, but even nearly a year old it is pretty good. A well done chili beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 00:38:43 | More by SickGnar

Jason

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz brown bomber with a foiled top, vintage date on the label.

LOOK: Red and clear, decent lacing

SMELL: Fresh chilies, toasted cocoa nibs, dired plums, toasted biscuits, yeast, mild esters

TASTE: Silky smooth, medium body, creamy, dark chocolate, mild chili peppers, faint pepper heat, caramel, mild tartness, dried grass, fruity alcohol, dry cocoa nib finish

Clearly a sipper here, one to savor. I'd suggest to cook and pair food obviously, even on its own it will garner some conversation. Long live extreme beer!!

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 02:53:15 | More by Jason

samie85

Illinois

2.63/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a clear, dark reddish brown color with a finger of white head.

Smells of cocoa and some spicy herbal notes.

Big cocoa upfront with a hint of spice and finishes very alcoholic.

A little thin and very effervescent with a dry and hot finish.

Drinkability suffers from the hot alcohol notes and the disappointing mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 02:31:50 | More by samie85

ManVersusBeer

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Little bit of tan bubbles on top, but really no head. It is chestnut brown and lighter than a traditional mole sauce.
This has a good nose of roasted coffee, dark, bitter cocoa, and hints of chile peppers and spice.
Initially a sweet chocolate taste followed by roasty notes of baking chocolate and red chili peppers, also I'm tasting and guessing some dried anaheim, serrano, and/or charred poblano. There is also some smoke notes and vanilla and toffee hints.
I like this beer, it is smooth, albeit a bit sweet. It is not overpowering with chocolate or spicy peppers, like a well-balanced chicken mole should be. Medium bodied with medium carbonation and a similarly comparable finish of spicy sweet.
This is the 2010 Vintage and I'm thinking it definitely helped the taste and flavor and subdued the sweet notes. After I pooped the cap, it said 'malty' on the inside. Quite fitting indeed.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 21:49:40 | More by ManVersusBeer

jsanford

Georgia

2.88/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22oz bottle poured into a Tulip Glass.

A - Pours a ruddy mahogany-brown with a dense ivory head that settles to a solid ring and wispy haze.
S - Nice aromas of caramel malt, toffee, cocoa powder, coffee beans, and dried chilies. Definitely reminds me of mole, but it's not the most inviting of beer aromas.
T - More sweet malt flavors of caramel and chocolate with a bit of spice and some pleasant chili warmth in the finish. I like chilies, I like mole, but I'm not a big fan of this beer. I think it's the malt base, a bit too sweet for my liking. If this had more of a Stout base I think I'd really enjoy it.
M - Slick, with a medium-full body and low carbonation.
O - I like the idea of a mole beer, but this didn't really do it for me. Too sweet, and not balanced enough.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 03:17:54 | More by jsanford

jayhawk73

Maryland

3.55/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark brown with a thin sliver of an off white head. Minimal lacing on the side of my snifter. A reddish tinge when held up to the light. The nose is nice- cocoa, chocolate, malt, caramel and chili. Very balanced, and very pleasant. The taste is similar to the nose profile, but the cocoa and chili really come through. Not quite as good as the nose, but still good. None of the 8% abv comes through. Feel is medium w/ little carbonation, and a little heat from the chili. I'd like a little more malt body in the feel. Overall, a good brew that has a couple flaws. Still, glad I got to try it. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 17:50:45 | More by jayhawk73

matjack85

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I found this 22oz brown bottle at the new Binny's store in Bloomingdale, IL. Not a big fan of chilli beers, but the mole part had me intrigued. No freshness date, but the website says it's released every April, so I assume this is an April 2011 release, therefore making this bottle about 9 months old now. I assume the ocho part is for the 8% alcohol.

The pour wasn't much to look at. Reddish-brown in color but no head at all and very little lacing. A light tan rim floated on top, but nothing you could call a head.

Nice smell, although not that strong. I'm getting a pleasant chocolate and coffee aroma with a spicy smell from the chili peppers.

Malty and sweet from the chocolate, bit the coffee and hops add some bitterness to keep it in check. Thankfully the chili pepper is mild, so this is not a beer that will have your tongue begging for relief. It's just enough to give it some kick.

Creamy smooth mouthfeel that felt medium to full bodied. Carbonation is low.

Not a favorite, but not a bad effort either.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 04:05:04 | More by matjack85