The Vixen Chocolate Chili Bock - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The Vixen opens with a nose that only partially resembles the "Chocolate Chili Bock" that it claims to be, for while the bock aromas are lovely and pronounced, bringing massive yeasty malts with their fig-and-molasses-and-raisin-port aromas, the chocolate notes are pushed slightly to the background, and in fact come across more as chocolate malt than chocolate (though a good thread of milk chocolate is still perceptible). The chili, however, is (somewhat thankfully) almost imperceptible, existing mainly as the promise of paprika at the outermost edges of perception. Still, the aromas in this beer are excellent, being full, round, and bright, and demand attention.

On the tongue, the beer opens with a milk and dark-chocolate laced shot of figs, raisin, vanilla, and port, much as if an aged bottle of tawny port had been placed on the tongue, accompanied by a tiny piece of high-quality Belgian chocolate. The chocolate flavors actually seem to increase as the beer is held on the tongue and the malty sugars die away, adding a slight layer of chalky cacao to the latter flavor profile. The chili is present throughout the mouthful, but thankfully does not overpower the beer, instead adding a light spicy, fiery paprika counter to the sugars and chocolate--much like fine chili threads add a beautiful extra flavor to haute cuisine. The label does say that cinnamon was added to the brew, but it is apparently so subtle (or perhaps so catalytic) that I cannot tease it out from the other flavors. The aftertaste is an alcoholic and very long-lasting whiff of port, fig, and chalky chocolate, and is in many senses quite resemblant of the aftertaste of a good Imperial Stout. Mouthfeel is medium, and carbonation is medium-light to medium.

Overall, while I admit that I wasn't looking forward to this beer--there were too many chances that it could have turned out an overpowered flavor mess--I'm quite surprised at the brew's deliciousness and drinkability. I would have expected something of this quality to come from Dogfish Head, so well crafted is the brew, and based solely on the strengths of The Vixen, am very much looking forward to Sam Adams' other offerings in this latest series. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 00:46:30 | More by jondeelee

jokulhaps

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

05-13-2013 02:45:43 | More by jokulhaps

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

05-09-2013 22:03:07 | More by Kegatron

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

1/5  rDev -73.1%

05-09-2013 02:25:49 | More by tommyguz

videofrog

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

05-06-2013 03:41:44 | More by videofrog

Grinky

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%

05-02-2013 03:16:10 | More by Grinky

2beerdogs

California

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%

05-01-2013 06:01:30 | More by 2beerdogs

FliryVorru

Alabama

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

04-29-2013 17:51:29 | More by FliryVorru

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%

04-23-2013 06:17:35 | More by Kelp

jsanford

Georgia

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%

04-14-2013 20:30:38 | More by jsanford

ItsBeer4Me

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

04-11-2013 19:45:25 | More by ItsBeer4Me

M1k3y

Tennessee

4/5  rDev +7.5%

04-05-2013 05:01:24 | More by M1k3y

zestd

Idaho

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%

03-29-2013 22:39:33 | More by zestd

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

500ml bottle given to me by my brewing lecturer, nice guy that he is. Shared with Sam.

Pours a solid deep brown, quite consistent throughout its length, and genuinely brown. Head forms a full frothy crown of silky pale brown that stays around quite persistently. Nice fine carbonation and fine lacing around the edge. The body looks a little lighter than I expected, but otherwise it's a very nice looking beer.

Nose is sweet and chocolatey, with a slight spicy character that says "cinnamon" more than "chilli" to me. Indeed, it smells like churros dipping sauce. There's a light peppery character to it as well. It's quite pleasant, without being particularly big or complex.

Taste is a bit flat, but has some interest to it at least. There's certainly a persistent flat cocoa character throughout the beer, with a musty Mexican chocolate molé flavour. Some sharpness on the back suggests a hint of the booze, but the beer itself is a little flat and a little thin. The sweetness is omnipresent, but muted, meaning that it never really coats the tongue, or expresses everything I feel it has to express.

Feel is pretty good. Smooth but soft, with a lightness that stops it from being too heavy.

Despite this pleasant lightness, I feel like the beer could be richer and more exciting overall. It's still pretty solid, but it doesn't really run with the potential it shows. It could use more of something: chilli, chocolate, goat? Whatever it needs, bring it in the next iteration please.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 09:28:05 | More by lacqueredmouse

BGsWo22

New York

2.5/5  rDev -32.8%

03-20-2013 23:37:57 | More by BGsWo22

beertardis

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

03-18-2013 12:16:28 | More by beertardis

jrhuddle

Minnesota

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%

03-17-2013 00:36:31 | More by jrhuddle

redsoxfan73

New York

4.5/5  rDev +21%

03-16-2013 19:52:02 | More by redsoxfan73

elowan

Ohio

4/5  rDev +7.5%

03-16-2013 18:48:41 | More by elowan

Bsavigo

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +7.5%

03-16-2013 05:08:35 | More by Bsavigo

KattM2013

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Its color is deep brown, almost black, with a creamy tan colored head.

S: The aroma is very complex but notes of sweet chocolate and chili are definitely prominent.

T: The taste is similar to the aroma with chocolate hitting the palate up front and the chili setting in after.

O: The sublte quality of the chili is what makes this beer so great in my opinion. The sharpness following the sweet chocolate makes The "Vixen" exactly that!

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2013 04:56:21 | More by KattM2013

MAbeerNE1

Massachusetts

2.75/5  rDev -26.1%

03-14-2013 19:05:38 | More by MAbeerNE1

currysmegs

Washington

5/5  rDev +34.4%

03-05-2013 03:01:42 | More by currysmegs

nzerbe

New York

2.75/5  rDev -26.1%

03-05-2013 02:18:26 | More by nzerbe

obywan59

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a very dark brown with a 2 1/2 finger tan head that recedes quickly. Not much lacing.

The aroma is of chocolate with dark fruits and a definite whiff of chiles. Fairly malty.

Taste is WAY sweet upfront, but there is a lightly tart aspect as well. Expecially after the sweetness mellows out.. Chocolate, caramel, and the chilis round it out, with just a hint of bitterness in the end.

Very peppery early via the carbonation and the chilis, the warmth reaching all the way to the stomach. Light syrup on the tongue, and drying in the end.

Better than I expected it would be. The first few sips were amazing before it settled down. A good warming brew for a chilly night. Definitely the best of the 4 beers from the SA Small Batch gift pack.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 04:02:14 | More by obywan59