Ring Of Fire Porter
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

Ring Of Fire PorterRing Of Fire Porter
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From:
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
 
United States
Style:
Chile Beer
ABV:
5.4%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.13 | pDev: 8.72%
Reviews:
24
Ratings:
26
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jul 23, 2014
Added:
Jun 06, 2008
Wants:
  31
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
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Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.67/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
I opened a 6-year old bottle of Iron Hill's Ring of Fire last night at The Fridge @FridgeLancaster! It is an original 13-fl. oz. bottle that was presented to all Mug Club members and subsequently recalled due to carbonation issues. Mine did not explode, but during a recent foray into the cellar, it was discovered to be pushing the cork out, through the cage! There may even be some oxidation already, hence the urgency of opening it last night.

From the bottle: "Aged and finished in a Tabasco pepper mash oak barrel"; "Ring of Fire Porter: Brewed naturally with the finest malted barley, hops, and yeast. Our house Porter, aged and finished in a Tabasco pepper mash oak barrel, imparting a hot pepper character which intensifies with the roasty and subtle chocolate notes of the Porter. OG: 1.057, Color (Deg. L): 23, IBU: 37, Alc. 5.4% by Vol."

I had no problem removing the cork, indicating that it had been at least partially compromised. Only a tiny amount of the cork remained in the neck of the bottle, indicating that it had experienced the over-carbonation issues mentioned in/by other review(er)s at some point. Pouring it, there was no carbonation and as such, it was completely flat. Nose was vinous - oaky, like red wine, but also with a cardboard scent, indicative of oxidation. Color was medium-brown (SRM = > 22, < 27) with NE-quality clarity. A good deal of lees were visible in the punt of the bottle. Mouthfeel was thin. It was definitely oxidized and the heat had really died down, giving way to an intensely vinous oakiness. Finish was dry with a hot bite in the back of the throat. Did I drink the lees as I am usually wont to do? Mais oui! Here was where the residual heat resided and now, my throat burned like I had been pepper sprayed. Holy ...
Jul 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by marine1975 from North Carolina

Feb 03, 2013
Photo of stakem
Reviewed by stakem from Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Big thanks to BA ClockworkOrange for busting out this rarity at a recent tasting. The cork removes itself once you start to unwind the cage. Be careful with this (if any bottles remain out there) because you could easily shoot your eye out. It pours a dark brown color with a huge rich tan head that nearly fills the glass. Some big bubble composition with a full wall of lace stick to the glass.

The aroma consists of cocoa with some earth and spice. Almost sweet smelling and very pleasant with a citrus sort of peppery undertone. The nose is really enjoyable on this with an even mixture of chocolate grain and pepper inclusion.

The taste is roasty with grain imparting a flavor like cocoa powder. Some earth and almost a touch of vanilla. Lots of peppery earthen flavors before the onset of capsaicin starts to kick in with the warmth.

This is a medium bodied brew with an effervescent level of carbobation that is overdone. Overall a very nicely done brew that was surprisingly enjoyable. The tobasco inclusion was present enough for it to be noticed but did not distract the overall drinkability. This is really a fantastic brew. It is unfortunate that the carbonation level got so out of hand that this needed to be recalled. This beer should be revisited, it was awesome.
Jan 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by ygtbsm94 from Utah

Jan 31, 2012
Photo of AgentZero
Reviewed by AgentZero from Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Another unique beer contributed by Alex.

A - Brown colored beer with some red on the edges. Tan head that dissipated to cap with a decent amount of lace.

S - Some roasted porter notes, carmel malts and a little dark fruit. I enjoy Tabasco quite a bit, and this blends well with the beer.

T - Tabasco comes in on the back end, with caramel, roasted malts, and dark fruits being the base tastes. It's actually a really nice blend, which I'm surprised at given how gimmicky it seemed.

M - Medium bodied, moderate carbonation which seemed a little low as the bottle was pretty lively when it was opened up.

O - Nice beer, a chili beer that works. There is just a nice melding of the porter with the Tabasco barrels which is unexpected, unique, and pretty enjoyable to drink.
Jul 12, 2011
Photo of wagenvolks
Reviewed by wagenvolks from Texas

4.34/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Major thanks to bgthang for the share. 13oz C&C bottle into a Three Philosophers tasting glass.

Ring of Fire pours with a thin plum-mahogany hue with a wispy veil of khaki head up top. Swirling the glass brings forth a bulge of foam that dissipates quickly. The aroma is rich with chocolate crumbles and vanilla, while the background has toasted malt and fig. The longer I smell it, the more noticeable the heat becomes.

On the first sip, a wave of spicy heat engulfs the palate, lingering long after the sip like biting into a fresh jalapeno pepper. The rest of the porter body is average in flavor, with a little brandy-like oxidation, but not enough to make the cardboard flavors prominent. Mouthfeel is a little too thin for me, but that heat is so unique. I've had chili beers before, but none of them bring the kind of heat that makes your brow start to sweat. Ring of Fire delivers just that...a must-try for any hot sauce devotee.
Jan 21, 2011
Photo of Slatetank
Reviewed by Slatetank from Pennsylvania

4.27/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Thanks to weeare138 for sharing this retired porter. I had this fresh and this aged version was unique to try. Poured cellar temp into a tulip.

The color of dark coffee w/ a mild hazed appearance w/ small light tan cap - there are minute bubbles visible, retention is decent. The smell offers up a lot of caramel malt w/ slight sweet aroma and mild roast and mild spice hints. The feel is goo w/ slight roasted texture and moderately sweet malt body w/ subtle accent of pepper spice, no real heat in the feel - a nice balance of roasted notes and medium strength makes it easy to hold in the mouth to try to get a feel for the pepper.

The flavor is more like chipotle - with smoke blending with the coffee like malt flavors w/ a more dominant role from the caramel and chocolate malt elements. There is pepper flavor, but very mild and compliments the porter. I think this was the best choice for a pepper beer - the porter base since it gives a mild mole effect w/ subtle peppery flavor and light heat. The drinkability is high for the style I can't think of any other chili beer I have had that works better than this one - I was impressed by it fresh and it has aged gracefully.
Dec 21, 2010
Photo of jrallen34
Reviewed by jrallen34 from Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
High time I got around to reviewing this from a tasting several weeks ago. Provided by Alex...A dark brown pour with a tan head, good retention and lacing...The aroma is strong with lots going on, tabasco dominates of course but there is depth with cocoa, oak and a hint of smoke, I like it...The tabasco doesn't take center stage adding in some cocoa and caramel giving a malt balance to he heat. A really nice combo that gives people the chili heat they are looking for without blowing them out of water. Can't drink a ton of this though.
Dec 12, 2010
Photo of MasterSki
Reviewed by MasterSki from Canada (ON)

4.23/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Big thanks to rwitter for helping me acquire a few bottles of this one. Served in a Lost Abbey Rastal Teku glass.

A - As expected, the cork exploded out violently with a little bit a push. We had glasses ready, so we managed to get it all into our glasses. Pours with huge tan foam that quickly settles to a solid cap, leaving fingers of lace. The body is a dark brown color that's a little bit lighter at the fringes. I wasn't expecting pitch black from a 5.4% porter.

S - There's green Tabasco and chili notes, plus light smokiness and oak, over top of a cocoa and dark fruit malt backdrop. The Tabasco is thankfully not overpowering, and is well integrated into the beer.

T - Initially it's very heavy in caramel, cocoa, and dark fruits, but then it opens up with late Tabasco heat, creating a mole-esque flavor profile. There's some fairly significant wood and smoke flavors that creep up as one works through a glass of this.

M - Medium-light body, surprisingly low carbonation, and some obvious chili warmth at the back of the throat. Even though it's fairly low in alcohol, it feels like it needs a bit more heft to it, considering the richness of flavor.

D - It's definitely one of the best chili beers I've had (and it's a stretch to call Hunahpu's a "chili beer"). The base porter has flavors that integrate well with the barrel-aging and residual Tabasco flavors and capsaicin that's along for the ride. It's a shame no one has tried to recreate this, as it's obvious the explosive bottles aren't caused by infection. Probably shouldn't have consumed this after the Santa Fe Wild Ale #6 though - my stomach was very angry the next morning.
Nov 16, 2010
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a chocolate color with ruby highlights and a large, tan head that pancakes atop the liquid; some shards of lace streak that chalice

Smell: Chocolate fudge and caramel, with a hint of charcoal and tobacco

Taste: Chocolate fudge, up front, with a growing sense of tobasco heat that, by mid-palate, becomes very prominent; after the swallow, the heat settles down to allow the chocolate to return and, with it, a bit of the caramel and oaky flavors; still, the burn persists underneath and grows in underlying intensity with each sip; there is a bit of sourness, as well, that I suspect is the result of the aging process

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonation and plenty of heat on the tongue

Drinkability: So glad I got to try this one; shows that a chile beer can have some real heat yet still be drinkable

Thanks, rwitter, for arranging the trade
Oct 27, 2010
Photo of emmasdad
Reviewed by emmasdad from Colorado

3.67/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
For whatever reason, this was one of my huge must-trys. Finally received a bottle in trade. When I opened the box, I found this one in a Ziploc bag, swimming in a couple of ounces of murky brown liquid. Clearly this one had leaked. When I opened the cool little champagne split, I found me a gusher. Poured into a snifter a very nice dark crimson color, with a huge, rocky, 3-4 inch mocha colored head. When I finally got around to nosing it, I got roasted malt, dark brown sugar, prunes and a lot of habanero-cayenne heat. A little wood on the palate, along with some sweet, chewy caramel, milk chocolate and finishing with a good amount of that Tabasco heat. A very unique and interesting experiment, but not a beer I would reach for every day.
May 03, 2010
Photo of grub
Reviewed by grub from Canada (ON)

4.4/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
got this one in a recent trade with leftmindedrighty. thanks aaron!

13oz bottle, corked and caged. sampled may 16/09.

the cork was more than half out, and based on stories i've heard about major carbonation in this one i was expecting a serious "pop" as soon as i twisted the cage. however, the cage came off without event and i had to twist the cork and actually pull it out. pours crystal clear deep brown with no head or other sign of carbonation. no lace. wonder if maybe the cork had slipped enough for the seal to break and the carbonation to escape?

aroma is good. it's mostly smoked porter, but with a deep breath you get just a hint of spicy character. milk chocolate. bit of coffee. light smoke. wheat bread. cracker. bit of caramel. actually makes me think a little of hot pepper jelly on a multi-grain cracker.

taste is great. coffee. milk and dark chocolate. caramel. light dark fruit. at first there's no sign of the tobasco barrel, but then a few seconds after the first swallow you start to notice a bit of warmth at the back of your mouth and in your throat. bit of faint pepper and woody character. a bit earthy. light smoke. with each sip the warmth starts to spread and slowly intensify. a bit of slightly sweet roasted pepper character builds with time too. it never seems to get overly sweet or unbearably hot, but it's clear that there are hot peppers involved.

mouthfeel is good. medium body. even with basically carbonation, it still works. i think with even a moderate amount of carbonation this would be a truly great beer.

drinkability is great. the heat is so well restrained. it works surprisingly well. the alcohol is almost completely hidden. i think if i were given a tobasco barrel and told to put a beer in it, this would be the idea style to use. the dark and smokey character of the porter meshes perfectly with the barrel here. it also feels like just about the right amount of time was spent in the barrel. not so hot that it kills your palate or your desire for another. a great beer that i wish i had more of.
May 27, 2009
Photo of Viggo
Reviewed by Viggo from Canada (ON)

4.07/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Cool little 375 ml or so bottle, big thanks to grub for sharing this one!

Pours a lightly hazed reddish brown, pretty neat colour, almost no head on it, guess we got a good one! No lacing either, everything goes pretty quick. Smell is real neat, caramel and brown sugar sweetness up front, lightly spicy, jalapeno bite, very fruity and lightly smokey, some wood, really cool. Taste is great, a bit sweet and first, toasty and biscuity, some smokiness, dark fruit, and like a good hot sauce, the jalapeno isn't really in the flavour, but every sip gets a little hotter in the back of your mouth. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with low carbonation, really cool warmth going down. Really unique beer, they hit the nail on the head with this one. Hopefully they do it again after they fix the previous issues. Thanks Russ!
May 20, 2009
Photo of blackie
Reviewed by blackie from Oregon

4.22/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
a: pours into my piraat snifter a deep brown color with hues of garnet showing through, capped with a nice khaki head, good retention

s: currents of milk chocolate covered caramel and vanilla bean support coy wisps of peppery tabasco sauce, definitely one to be warmed before drinking as the oaked tabasco steps out over time and aromas of dark fruits develop, it really grew on me after a timid first impression, components in great balance - allowing the tabasco to show itself without taking over, interestingly reminiscent of watered bourbon, super

m: carbonation on the full side at first, perhaps a bit high but it dies down shortly after pouring to lower, more appropriate levels, medium bodied

t: before I can even swallow, a capsicum burn is felt creeping across my tongue and then lingers after swallowing, not oppressive enough to trigger any soothing release of endorphins - but obviously there, delicate roasts (think watery iced coffee) and some cocoa powder provide structure, some caramel sweetness, moderate burn in the stomach creeps up unexpectedly and sticks around, I'm bit of a pepper slut so this may turn some people off - but I dig it, malts are adequate but come off a bit weak, the tabasco flavor and effect make this one whole

d: pepper and chocolate has always been a good mix and it's no different here, I cant help but want to try a more assertive version of the same beer - but then again restraint may be the best method for this sub-style, at any rate - the pepper is quite refreshing and makes this one an easy drinker, with much disappointment found at the bottom of my final glass

corked 13 ounce bottle courtesy of leftmindedrighty's LiF - many thanks!
May 11, 2009
Photo of wisrarebeer
Reviewed by wisrarebeer from Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Very unusual and well-made beer.

Nice deep copper color.

Nose is roasted malt with no noticeable pepper quality.

Taste: very, very good. Nice balance of malt to peppers. Tabasco flavor is there and dominant but not overpowering. Never thought that this would be so good!

Mouthfeel: a bit of a sting in the back of the mouth from the peppers but very good and drinkable.
Feb 16, 2009
Photo of akorsak
Reviewed by akorsak from Pennsylvania

4.32/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A corked and caged 375 mL bottle purchased at the Lancaster brewpub almost five months ago.

A: The porter is a dark cola brown color with a magnificent head. Over three fingers of foam erupted on pour but do not cling to the glass.

S: The nose is very chocolatey, heavy on the porter's caramel and roasted malt elements. Powdered cocoa and cayenne pepper swirl around in the glass, a molé beer.

T: Porter flavors abound up front, chocolatey and dark. The flavor is quite sweet, a decoy with respect to the tabasco. Cocoa and nuttiness gives the body a sweeter start. Approximately 30 seconds after I finished the sip, a searing heat spread across my mouth. The pepper barrel gives the ale a unique spiciness that is hot but not as intense as the actual tabasco. The heat lingers in the mouth and on the lips for quite a while.

M: The porter flavor up front is quite pleasant, setting the stage for the hot sauce finish. That is one hell of a finish.

D: The alcohol is low and the heat is pleasingly lively. The chocolate and pepper mixture works much better than you'd expect.
Nov 09, 2008
Photo of Hophead101
Reviewed by Hophead101 from Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
drank on 6.7.08 at home. poured from bottle into wide mouth glass.

this is pig iron porter aged in a tabasco pepper mash in an oak barrel.

great dark brown/black color. huge head, tan in color. almost too much head, dissipated rather quickly, a little was left behind. really good smell. very evident of roasted malts, chocolate and caramel. there was no smell of tabasco or any spice

first taste gives an initial tabasco tingle. not overpowering or too bad. but at the end of the day, it is a spicy tasting pig iron porter. mouthfeel has too much tabasco flavor.
Oct 20, 2008
Photo of mhewes
Reviewed by mhewes from Colorado

4.91/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A : Pours a nice dark brown with a huge fist sized head. This cork did not pop out with the same force as some other reviews but it did come out real easily. It took a while to pour this beer due to all the foam

S : Roasted malts, faint chocolate, and a slight appearance of the tabasco peppers

T : Starts off as your normal porter with a good roasted malt flavor, hints of chocolate, and a slight flavor of smoke. At the finish, you get a slight pepper flavor which seems to finish it off quite nicely. At this point, I'm kinda disappointed because I was expecting more flavor from the peppers. A few minute later, that disappointment completely disappeared. All of a sudden there is a sudden Tabasco flavored burst of flavor and heat (not too hot) on your tongue that seems to come out of nowhere. An awesome example of how peppers can be used in beer.

M : Medium-bodied, light on the carbonation, smooth with a dry finish

D : This is a beer that shows that chile beers can be very well done and drinkable. I'd love to have this one again. It's such a unique beer that I would love to try it with different meals to see how it complements them.
Sep 15, 2008
Photo of martymoat
Reviewed by martymoat from Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
The pour was all head, I heard talk of this beer having issues with holding up in the bottle that where not kept chilled so i was some what expecting the pour. Had to transfer from a snifter glass to a bigger pilsner style glass to handle the head. Aroma is of faint roasted malt with a heavy chocolate malt presence. You can tell their is some heat in the beer from the aroma but its not overwhelming and im sure there are hops somewhere in this beer but they don't want to come out and play in this beer. The appearance is dark brown and when held in the light a deep mahogany, The gigantic head has all but dissipated in about a minutes time. The taste is of what was said above in the aroma , a smooth chocolate taste with the roasted character coming in towards the end but as this is happening you get the punch of heat from the Tabasco that lingers in the mouth and heats the throat up until the next sip where you are repeating the process all over again, and if their is hops, again now hey have been burned away into non existence by the heat. Overall i think this was a completely awesome new innovative beer. The only flaw with the beer for me is that having an entire bottle does get to be a little much with the heat aspect of the beer growing as you drink it,
Aug 13, 2008
Photo of Kegatron
Reviewed by Kegatron from Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
375 ml corked & caged bottle into a snifter.

Quite the adventure with this beer. First one blew up on me as I opened it after being held in my beer fridge at around 45 degrees. The second bottle I chilled for 24 hours in my regular fridge at sub 40 degree temps and it behaved much better. It foamed a bit but I was able to salvage over 3/4 of the bottle for this review.

Pours a dense looking dark brown (almost but not quite black) that doesn't allow any light to come through. The head is a light tan color with some darker hues mixed in. Retention is good, sitting in a solid ring around the edges that flares up nicely when swirled and leaving a nice spackling of spotty lace down the sides of the glass. The Porter notes are the first thing to hit your nose in the aroma. Chocolate sweetness, roasted malts, and a bit of coffee reside up front but that doesn't last long at all as the tingling scent of Tobasco and pepper rears its head and singes the nose hairs before pulling back some.

The taste starts out with the same Porter character as the aroma with some chocolate and caramel sweetness and underlying roasted malts making their presence known up front and seem to be much more prominant than they were in the nose. Yet again, along creeps in that subtle yet assertive heat from the pepper barrel aging. The taste of it gets a little prickly but never really catches the mouth on fire, knowing just when to pull back. It still lingers long on the palate though and even warms the lips. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with not much carbonation overall (probably because it all came out when the bottle was initially opened and poured) but there is still a bit of a prickly feel in the backend that compliments the pepper notes in the finish.

It's really a shame that they had carbonation issues with this batch as the beer itself (or at least what they were trying to do with the pepper aging) actually turned out really well. Quite unique and tasty, let's hope that they choose to revisit this again sometime down the road.
Aug 12, 2008
Ring Of Fire Porter from Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 26 ratings