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

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

Duhast500

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the tap into a tasting glass.

The color is dark brown with some nice tan head and a some nice lacing.

The smell is a bit dark malt flavor with a little spicey, peppery aroma.

The taste is chocolate with some toasty grain flavor with some come pepper on top. Searching for any hop flavor I could find some did come out slightly but not enough to really guess at what it was.

The feel is medium bodied and is pretty drinkable. It has pretty even feel and goes down easy.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2011 17:32:17 | More by Duhast500

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

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

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.49/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a New Belgium globe.

The beer pours a chocolate black with a dark cream head that cZlms to a film with light lacing.

The aroma at first smelled of cinnamon candy, but later it's more faint cinnamon and very faint milk chocolate. Not a lot of depth.

The taste is like the aroma, just not a lot to dissect: sweet roasted malts with faint chocolate in the background. There is a nice little spicy feel on the back end. Very faint cinnamon candy in there.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied.

Overall, a little disappointed. This is utterly forgettable. No complexity, bland all the way around.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 03:17:04 | More by JuicesFlowing

zeff80

Missouri

3.71/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - Poured out a dark brown color with a small, short-lived head of foam. It left sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of chili and chocolate. Some toffee.

T - Nice balance of chili and chocolate. Some sweet toffee balances the chili.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This is a good brew. Interesting take on a bock.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 02:21:43 | More by zeff80

mpedara429

Massachusetts

3.84/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: Cola color with a reddish hue and one finger of cappuccino colored head. Thin oily lacing.

S: Chocolate, a mild smell of chiles, and dark fruit.

T: Similar to the smell. The chiles have a little bite, but not overpowering.

M: Medium, oily body with carbonation a bit on the lower side.

O: I thought this was a really cool beer. I love chili chocolate to begin with so when I found this beer I had to try it. Of course, chocolate and beer, and chili and beer are a great mix so this takes advantage of both in one bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 00:47:53 | More by mpedara429

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.38/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

It pours fizzy, which looks nice. Ended up with almost three fingers of tan head on a dark brown body.
The aroma is boozy and a little chocolate. A bit of a letdown considering all the ingredients.
The taste is boozy as well. There’s a sweet layer throughout with just a little chili heat at the beginning and some chocolate in the middle. It’s an interesting mixture.
The texture is sticky with moderate carbonation and a thicker body.
It’s an interesting idea with the chocolate and chilies.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 01:48:57 | More by Fatehunter

lwillitz

Florida

4.21/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4

22-oz bottle into New Belgium globe

A - several fingers of medium tan foam atop a pitch black body (red highlights)

S - brown sugar, peppery spice, roast malt

T - caramel sweetness, semi-sweet chocolate, dark fruits, roast malts, pepper, cinnamon; chilies move in with a touch of alcohol for a warm, spicy finish

M - thick syrupy full body, low/medium carbonation

O - The Vixen is a nice bock if you're in the mood for something sweet and slightly spicy.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 00:01:37 | More by lwillitz

BrewMaven

New York

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

Here's #3 of my Small Batch gift pack.

Pours almost black with a slight hint of dark amber light showing through. decent tan head that, as seems to be usual with high octane beers, drops to a ring/partial cover within a minute or two...splotchy lacing.

Not picking up much in terms of aromas here...a hint of a roasty smell...slightly spicy?

Taste ran from a bit of chocolate up front, spicy through the middle with more chocolate on the finish. Medium mouthfeel with moderate carbonation.

Not bad, but not not really any better than the Polish Porters I can compare it to since it drinks more like a porter than a bock.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 23:55:46 | More by BrewMaven

jdkitchi

Wisconsin

3.83/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This poured black with a decent amount of head that faded quickly and left minimal lacing.

I get a little earthy wood along with the malt aromas. The taste is a rather sweet malty brew with some cocoa and spice, a rather slick mouth feel and slight chili in the finish. This seems more comparable to a Doppelbock to me than a bock. The 8.5% ABV backs that up.

I would have liked a little more heat being a chocolate CHILI bock but it is a pretty good chocolate Doppelbock and I would drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 01:23:19 | More by jdkitchi

Sycodrummer

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from the bomber into a footed pint glass the beer is dark brown near black with faint red around the edges. One finger of khaki colored head formed but quickly fizzeled to tan wisps. Minimal lacing, but a few clingy bubbles.

The nose is milk chocolate. Malted milkshake like. A slight roasted aroma like weak coffee. I don't pick up any heat or spice in the nose.

Taste mimics the nose. Big milk chocolate to start. Some faint roasted grain but not even a trace of the chilie or spice. Very sweet with little to balance that flavor. Tastes like their chocolate bock used to.

Big chewy mouth feel. A meal in a glass.

A little disappointing. Too sweet with no heat balance. Comes off like a sweet milk stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 21:29:38 | More by Sycodrummer

Cavanaghty

Maine

4.45/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a Sam Adams Glass.

Appearance: Almost black, dark color with about one finger of brown head, mild lacing on the glass.

Smell: Spicy, peppery smells with some cocoa in the background.

Mouthfeel/Taste: Full Bodied, thick, but smooth. Taste of a peppery, chili mix finishing with a hint of real cocoa.

Overall: Excellent brew, reminded me of some of the real Aztec Chocolate drinks I had in the Carribean, not the sugar sweetened chocolate crap we have here in the states, but real spiced chocolate drinks that are not sweetened.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 19:09:39 | More by Cavanaghty

scoobybrew

Iowa

3.93/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - deep, dark, opaque black color with a thick head that is well-retained, leaves a nice lacing in the glass

S - malty sweet with notable chocolate and some moderate spiciness, no hop perceived, no fruity esters

T - rich malt and chocolate flavors blend nicely with the spice accents, pepper kick is perhaps not a strong as expected (or desired) but is subtly present in the background; as beer warms spicing comes out a bit more, but chili is still somewhat restrained

M - medium-full body with moderate carbonation

O - A decent harmony with the beer and added ingredients. The cocoa nibs are the most prominent with the other declared spices taking a decidedly secondary role. The base bock is well done and it's probably the best 'chocolate beer' I've had from Boston Beer Company. For improvement though, I'd like to see more chili 'kick' as advertised.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 03:49:49 | More by scoobybrew

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: This beer pours a dark, roasted color with a pretty thin, caramel colored head. Does have a lot of big and tiny bubbles on the head, but not much retention and leaves very little lacing. Still a nice looking beer.

S: Whoa, wow...I get a whiff from those chillies right away along with some cinnamon. Upon a second smell and a little more focus, I get some cocoa and a slight hint of hops.

T: Initial taste is of some heat and spice, which I imagine is from the chillies that are blended with the hops. A slightly sweet, roasted character comes through the middle of the flavor and ends with some cinnamon and malt.

M: Its a mild texture as far as the mouth goes. I would say a little more thin than their Chocolate Bock, but definitely not watery. This is a slow sipper as you will get more character and flavor from this beer by letting it warm up.

O: Didnt think I would get the chance to have this as it was 1 of 2 missing from my batch series collection. Now that I have had it, this beer was definitely worth the wait and the price.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 06:02:00 | More by SouljaSaia17

Jason

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22oz brown bottle with no freshness date, batch #1 on back.

LOOK: Three fingers of froth, nearly pitch black

SMELL: Dark chocolate, faint coffee, peppery, mild spice, figgy, malty, toasted bread, caramel

TASTE: Sweet, creamy, slick, full bodied, mild mocha character, dark fruit, faintly peppery, modest hopping, light pepper warmth, sweet finish

Its a bock, I get it ... just too damn sweet for my liking. Not enough chili pepper or chocolate to back this beer up. Played it very safe here.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 03:25:50 | More by Jason

BucannonXC5

California

3.73/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Type: 22-oz. bomber
Glass: Manzanita pint glass
From: Costco in San Marcos, Calif., on Dec. 6, 2012
Price: $20 for Small Batch Collection variety 4-pack
BOD: None, “Batch 2” on back of label

Black with 2-3 fingers of tan head that dissipated surprisingly quickly.
No lacing on the sides. Poor retention.

Smelled dark chocolate, cocoa powder, caramel, toffee and light cinnamon.

Tasted a bit darker and deeper than the smell and with some chili spices. Got dark cocoa powder, chocolate, toffee, caramel and the spicy chili backbone.

Medium-to-full body. Oily texture. Average carbonation. Spicy smooth finish.

My first time having chili in a beer and it was pretty good. Not as much chocolate as I would have thought, but just the right amount of chili. I’d definitely have it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 10:44:34 | More by BucannonXC5

cjgator3

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle

A- Pours a very dark brown color with a light tan head.

S- The aroma is predominately sweet malt and cocoa but not much else. As the beer warms up in the glass, the chillies come out more along with some smokiness.

T- The taste is a lot of chocolate malts up front that are slightly roasted with some cocoa and spices and just a faint lingering spiciness from the chili peppers in the finish. Very nice, I enjoyed the flavors.

M- The mouthfeel is medium bodies with a moderate amount of carbonation.

O- Overall, not a bad beer from Sam Adams that is definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 04:37:48 | More by cjgator3

popery

California

3.43/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark reddish brown with a creamy beige head. Not too dark to see its color in the light. Pretty nice looking, and the head sticks around for quite awhile. Aroma is a surprisingly mild. There's some light cocoa, caramel, chili pepper spice, a touch of cinnamon and some very light roast character. What's there is decent, but you have to look for it. The taste is better. There's more pepper flavor and mild but noticeable spice, and that spice blends well with the chocolate flavor. The chocolate is still just kinda sweet and boring. It's nice enough, but there are much more interesting chocolate chili beers around. Fairly clean finish. Some lingering caramel-chocolate flavor. Mouthfeel is creamy and smooth. It's a fine beer, but the flavors need to be refined and amped up. That said, I do think it's a big improvement on the normal SA Chocolate Bock.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 05:17:51 | More by popery

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A solid, if simple beer. Pours black with a very short head, and no lacing. The chocolate and chili are pretty prominent in the nose, and there is a bit of vinous sourness as well. The taste is nice with well balanced flavors of rich chocolate and spicy chili- always a nice combination. Pretty well done. Smooth in the mouth and quite drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 22:05:37 | More by Georgiabeer

vfgccp

New York

3.73/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Nice, creamy, light mocha head. Nice retention and ok lace. Cherry cola body with cranberry highlights.

S - Deep, sweet chocolate and molasses with a well integrated chili note.

T - Straight mirror of the nose. Dark chocolate, roast malt, and molasses. A light bittering hop and ancho chili center blanaces out the sweetness. Nice lingering dark chocolate finish.

M - Surprisingly bright medium/full body.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 02:30:19 | More by vfgccp

Thickfreakness

New York

3.95/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours just a few shades lighter than midnight black. Thick and chewy 3 finger head floats effortlessly before fading away. Some nice thin lacing sticks to the side of the glass and doesnt appear to want to let go.

S- Dark Belgian chocolate, notes of vanilla, cinnamon, dried cherries/raisins/figs/prunes... seems like i'm picking up a little dried chili as well. Not an extreme wealth of depth, but what is there, is very nice.

T- Tastes alot like the cayenne pepper chocolate bars that I love so much! Lots of deep dark chocolate, subtle touches of vanilla bean, raisins, dried cherries, and a very light touch of spicy chili pepper on the back end finish. The chili pepper and vanilla really open up as it warms up. The original Sam Adams Chocolate Bock has always been one of my favorite brews.

M- I love the little bit of spice buried under the cocoa. Not much carbonation, but I wasnt expecting much anyway. Decent depth of flavors as it warms.

O- Looking forward to having this again. This would be great in/with a nice bowl of chili on a cold day. Really glad I finally got around to trying this. A bargin at $3.50!!!

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 23:21:26 | More by Thickfreakness

warnerry

Michigan

3.53/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Looked deep red as it was pouring. In the glass it looks deep brown. One and a half fingers of creamy looking tan head. Head has very good retention and leaves some lacing.

S - Chocolate and dark fruits come through initially. Faint chili and cinnamon aromas, with some nice dark bread as well. Pretty good.

T - Chili aspect is quite subtle in the flavor as well. As with the smell, chocolate is quite prominent, with bittersweet and cocoa elements. Very little cinnamon. Dark brown bread with some dried fruits.

M - Medium mouthfeel. A bit creamy.

O - Not a bad beer, but the chocolate/cocoa really overpowers everything else. Probably wouldn't get this one again.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 20:04:08 | More by warnerry

kojevergas

California

2.78/5  rDev -25.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

1 pint .6 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a Uinta pilsner glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are average.

Served refrigerator cold. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Not paired with food.

A: Pours a three finger khaki head of fair cream, decent thickness, and above average retention. Colour is a dark nontransparent black. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Not particularly vibrant, but it's generally appealing.

Sm: Chocolate, light chili pepper, dark malts, background light floral hops, and chocolate malts. A moderate strength aroma.

T: Dark malts, cream, chocolate, chili pepper, and chocolate malt. Balance is okay. Build is decent, but inadequate for the style. Neither complex nor subtle. I expect better. Chocolate malts are nice. The rest is mundane. A strange bock. No yeast or alcohol come through.

Mf: Thickness is off. Carbonation is good. Smooth and wet. Moderate on the palate.

Dr: Drinkable but boring and bland. It offers little. I wouldn't get it again. A disappointment from Sam Adams.

C

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 05:58:26 | More by kojevergas

nickfl

Florida

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours with one and a half fingers of light tan foam on top of a black body. The head settles at a moderate pace and leaves nice lace.

S - Earthy chocolate, black pepper, and some lighty fruity chili notes along with dark, bready malt.

T - Sweet, dark malt up front with some dark chocolate in the background. Some dark fruit in the middle with mild notes of black cherry and plum. Finishes with sweet chocolate, burnt caramel, and lingring chicory notes as well as a light chili heat in the back of the throat.

M - Medium-thick body, moderate carbonation, and a fairly dry finish.

D - Nicely done, the chili character is restrained while the chocolate is robust, which is a wise balance for a beer that contains these elements. Not as complex as some chili/chocolate imperial stouts that I have had, but it is flavorful and smooth so I guess it is what one would expect for a spiced Bock.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 02:18:41 | More by nickfl