SXNW (Brothers' Reserve Series) - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

AlTrombley

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I sell this beer. I have waited for a long time for a case to break so I could take one out of the breakage room. It never sounded very good (pecans with Chili's sounds bad) but I figured for free I would give it a try. I was REAL surprised how good it was. Just a hint of heat on the back end.... Very nice!!!

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 02:26:55 | More by AlTrombley

metter98

New York

3.96/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear reddish brown in color and has a light to moderate amount of carbonation. It poured with a thin off white head that quickly died down, leaving delicate lacing covering the surface and a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate aromas of cocoa nibs and pecans are present in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell except that the pecans are a little more prominent and there are also some notes of green chilies, which aren't really spicy, but become stronger as the beer warms up and linger through the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is rather in interesting and has a good balance between all of the ingredients (cocoa nibs, green chilies and pecans) and hides its alcohol rather well.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 02:44:49 | More by metter98

Pencible

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: This poured a clear black ruby with quickly dissipating light tan head.
S: It smelled like earthy chocolate and nutty malt, with some chili pepper and pumpernickel bread.
T: It tasted like earthy bittersweet chocolate and nutty malt, with some pumpernickel bread and chili pepper. It had a clean and bittersweet aftertaste with a bit of heat.
M: It was watery with a little carbonation. Thin body.
D: The concept sounded better than this beer ended up. The scent and body were ok but not delicious. The body was weak, and the finish wasn't super smooth. The alcohol was hidden decently by the spicy character, but it wasn't the easiest to drink. I doubt age would improve it. Simply not a good show of brewing skill. Not a bad drink, but not recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 17:01:28 | More by Pencible

mactrail

California

3.4/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

A handsome brown-tinged red in the tall tulip. The head, alas, doesn't seem to last so well, but the lacing renews itself when you swirl the glass. A little oily in the mouth, but not so syrupy.

This brew has a fair amount of heat with just a twinge of chile flavor. It's sweet but sharp, hot and spicy. Overall, it's a nice blend of flavors without any of them standing out too much. The Mexican chocolate-cinnamon combination is not one of my favorites, but it merges with the dark caramel, roasted malt, and what tastes like dried red chiles rather than the fresh green ones. Between the alcohol and the heat, it's a slow sipping affair.

From the 22 oz bottle bought at Barons Marketplace on Point Loma Blvd.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 06:03:39 | More by mactrail

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beverage was served from the tap at The Ginger Man in Greenwich, CT. It arrived in a stemmed chalice, glowing a deep chestnut brown, with ruby hues around the edges. It held a one finger head of tan bubbles, showing okay retention, and only spots of lacing. No haze or sediment was noted, and carbonation appeared active. The aroma gave roasty coffee malts, syrupy fig, fiery booze, dried chocolate nibs, clovey phenols, nutmeg, sassafras, metallics, licorice bitterness, and the vegetable sheen of green bell peppers. Our first impression was that there was nice syrupy sweetness to it, with a thorough robustness of authentic chocolate. The flavoring opened with dark roasted chocolate and coffee malts, smooth milkiness, dark cherry, fig, and independent dark chocolate dryness. The middle of the swallow peaked with more of this bittered raw chocolate, rich roasty malts, continued light cherry fruitiness, and a cutting flash of brown sugar sweetness. The finish came with the peppery spiciness of booze, chocolate malted milk balls, smooth toffee sweetness, bittered molasses spice, drying aromatic nutmeg, and the warmth of pecan pie. The aftertaste breathed of dark chocolate syrups, booze, lightly charred smokiness, tootsie roll darkness, and a flash of cayenne pepper spiciness. The body was full, and the carbonation was medium. A thick, syrupy coating followed initial coolness around the mouth, with a final astringent pucker of raw chocolate. The drying bite was quite prominent. There was nice slurp and sip, but no real froth of cream to the lip. The abv was appropriate, and warming, and while this guy was more of a slow sipper, it was easy.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this beer was the depth of flavoring. There was great complexity throughout the entire tasting, with heavy sweetness giving way to darker grain and that final flash of hot pepper spice. The latter actually left a palpable heat on the tongue, which went nicely with the warming character of the booze. The nose was equally as warming, spicy, and inviting, but just didn’t punch as much as the flavoring. The heavy feel contributed nicely to the hearty warmth of the experience, helping to keep things exciting and flavorful to the last drop.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2013 02:21:30 | More by TheBrewo

nimrod979

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On-tap from awhile ago at the Axe. Taken from notes. Served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Dark cola like color. Not quite black. Produces a thicker off white head than I got out of a bottle. Almost no retention and no lacing to speak of though. Bummer.

Aroma: Big on the cinnamon and spice. Chocolate is also a big player. A touch of smoke and toasted pecans.

Taste: The big flavor is the cinnamon spice with several pleasant nuances adding a little complexity. The cocoa nibs add a nice dry powdered chocolate flavor. Toasted pecans show up more in the finish. The chilies, however aren't so much detectable in the taste but add a welcome heat on the back end and mouthfeel.

Mouthfeel: Rich medium full body, but almost no carbonation. The heat the chili adds is nice but not enough to make up for the other short comings on the mouthfeel.

Overall, Widmer has a winner here, wish they could fix the carbonation though. Bottle was the same with the carb. Wish the other flavors would stand up against the cinnamon too. It just takes up too much of the flavor of what could be an excellent beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2013 22:37:38 | More by nimrod979

Zorro

California

3.73/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Clear dark brown colored ale with a tiny tan colored head. Looks remarkably like a glass of cola.

Smells lightly of chocolate and chili pepper. Slight sweetness and a definite pecan nut scent. That said you REALLY have to work to pick out the aroma, not a very aromatic beer.

Starts out mildly sweet with a fairly strong chilies and chocolate taste. Chili pepper is strong but not hot. Slight mint flavor. All that said it tastes better than the sum of its parts.

Mouthfeel is OK, not thick for the style.

Overall worth a try. Tastes much better than it smells.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 02:40:14 | More by Zorro

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep amber to black in color with a small light tan head. In the aroma, a caramel roast and a small presence of alcohol. In the taste, dry licorice and boozy, with a small spice presence. A spice like bite and a medium to bigger bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry spice and licorice in the aftertaste. Spicy, roasty, and licorice, ok, but about average.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2012 19:25:38 | More by OWSLEY069

kylehay2004

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Half finger head with nice lacing on a deep amber clear body. Aroma of dark fruits, candied sugar, caramel and milk chocolate although this is a minor note. Flavors flow well but is more chcoolate dominat with very nice degree of sweetness with dark fruit taking a back seat on a bready and caramel malt base. Medium body and light to moderate carbonation. I really liked this one. Widmer keeps surprising me with their brews. Certainly not as talked about as deserved.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2012 03:49:32 | More by kylehay2004

outdoor7or24

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bottle poured into sniffer glass.
A: one finger khaki foam head, little lacing, some carbonation, dark reddish brown
S: sweet chocolate is really strong, toasted hazelnuts, booze
M: medium thick, coats the tongue
T: chocolate up front is very strong, hops, roasted nuts, toffee, chilie spice lingers at the end and warms up the tongue
O: impressive brew, profile gets more heat as brew warms from Chiles.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 04:35:08 | More by outdoor7or24

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured out as a nice looking brown color with a thin white head on top. The lacing and retention were minimal. The smell of the beer has a mixture of cocoa and malt with some spice on the nose as well. The taste of the beer has nice levels of complexity to it. The chocolate notes come up strong in the beginning then in the finish there is a moderate heat from the peppers. The flavors blend pretty well together in my opinion. The mouthfeel of the beer is medium bodied. There is a nice amount of carbonation and even with the heat of the peppers it remains very drinkable. Overall I like this beer a lot, I wouldn't mind drinking this one again.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 23:35:09 | More by Knapp85

tdm168

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Wine 101 in Wake Forest.

A - black with a soft, brownish head that has good retention

S - sweet, nutty, caramel

T - cinnamon, nutty, caramel, chocolate, very faint cayenne heat in the finish

M - medium bodied, smooth, well carbonated

This was an intriguing beer. It tasted like mole, and drank like a unique big bodied, full flavored brown ale. The spices were inviting and warming. This beer has notes of stout, brown ale, strong ale, winter warmer, etc. This beer refuses to be pigeon-holed. If I can find it, I will definitely have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2012 14:38:06 | More by tdm168

Brewery1337

3.58/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Dark Amber.
S - Nutty, with hints of chocolate and chilies. Cinnamon notes are hidden a bit in the background.
T - Nutty and slightly sweet. Spicy after note.
M - Decent carbonation. A bit thick.
O - A little boring. Certainly not worth the price. Won't be buying again.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 06:10:38 | More by Brewery1337

maximum12

Minnesota

3.55/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another Widmer bottle pulled off the shelf. 22 oz. bomber split with my wife.

Pour is very dark with red highlights. Send out a search party for the nose, just about had to snort some to pick up anything, faint spices, chocolate.

SXNW is unmistakably a beer with chiles. The chile heat is the defining characteristic, but the heat is passing rather than of the buildings/sticking/hot varietal. Chocolate rides side saddle, but, well, that's about it. Simple. Growing on me as I sip. As is the warmth of the chiles, which finally begins to adhere to the walls of my oral cavity.

Not much complexity in the DNA of this organism, but hey, I don't want War & Peace in a glass every night. Good beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 05:22:58 | More by maximum12

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a dark reddish brown with a thin off-white head that dissipated immediately to a hint of foam around the glass. Aroma of nuts, roasted malt, chocolate and a hint of sharp chile. Flavor follows with mellow nuts, light chocolate, dark malt and light chile spicing, slightly earthy. Medium bodied with little carbonation. An interesting flavor combination that is perfect for the fall season. The dominant pecan and chile flavor is seems more southwest by southeast to me, but whatever.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 03:47:47 | More by LiquidAmber

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a dark, clear reddish brown, with a finger of tan bubbly head building. It dissipates fast , leaving no lacing.
Smelling the beer, I notice pecan nuts, brown sugar, honey, spice and booze.
This order is pretty much confirmed during the tasting.
A heavy sweet sipper beer, beautiful for the winter season. Would enjoy this one again
With a book and an open fireplace.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 03:40:02 | More by Hopfenpeter

srhoadsy

Florida

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this at World Beer Fest' in Naples yesterday. Poured chilled into sample glass.

Pours a very thick, rich, dark brown heading to black. Quarter inch light brown head.

Aromas of nuts, chocolate, spice and wood.

Nice blend of flavors in this one. It is very thick and sweet but not cloying. The woody, earthiness from the pecans and the spices in the background all blend together to balance out the chocolate and coffee flavors.

Mouthfeel is heavy and sweet with moderate carbonation.

Very impressed with this beer. Seemed like each sip brought out a different combination of flavors. Would definitely try again.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 17:48:01 | More by srhoadsy

UCLABrewN84

California

3.43/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle I brought to share at Skuter's UCLA vs. USC viewing party.

Pours an almost opaque super dark brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace slowly drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of toasted malt, nuts, cocoa, and alcohol. Taste is much the same with a mild chile flavor and very minor heat with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but I think it tastes better than it smells.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 01:32:52 | More by UCLABrewN84

jtd1969

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - dark black with tannish lacing. thick frothy head

S - Cocoa, some spice, chillies, a tad coffee

T - Big cocoa that is sweet and toasted nut finish, cinnamon, subtle heat appears later.

M - Medium bodied with med carbonation, tad spicy finish, smooth

D - Very complex beer, I can't decide if I like it or not. It is a very well made beer and worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2012 05:44:58 | More by jtd1969

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Whole Foods, Santa Rosa taproom. I am a chile fan so I enjoyed this.chocolate nibs, cinnamon, toasted pecans, and green chilies, chocolate malts. Lots of heat in the finish. Creamy. Roasty aroma. I will try this again in the bottle to try the complexity later but the balance featured on tap was nice.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2012 15:32:07 | More by northyorksammy

Kromes

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip glass. A black color with ruby edges. You can tell that the beer is clear as the ruby color is seen through the glass. A thin line of bubbles for a head.

Sweet roasted malts with some chocolate. There is also a smoky quality to the aroma. Almost like smoked peppers.

The initial flavor is of sweet smoky roasted malts and chocolate. No real bitterness in the beer, mostly sweet up front. There is a slight nutty flavor with some dark cherry. The finish is where this beer really shines. Lingering smoky malt, with chocolate, toffee and a spicy pepper feel left on the tongue with a slight pepper flavor. All of the flavors in the beer compliment one another. The flavors seem strange to be coupled together but in the end it's as if they belong together.

The beer is medium bodied, low carbonation, and sweet. I love spicy food and pour hot sauce on everything so the highlight for me is the lingering (but not over the top) hot pepper feel left on the tongue.

I've had a few chocolate pepper beers, but this one is better by far. If you see this, I would highly recommend picking it up.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 00:18:06 | More by Kromes

JHS123

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Aroma is cocoa with hints of spices and pepper. Malt is clearly dark chocolate with hints of roastiness.

Appearance is Jet Black black, black, black, black, cloudy, frothy, Its got a stout appearance but taste of a dark ale.

Taste is unique: Strong pepper brought on by the chilis coupled with chocolate. Can not taste the pecans but there is limited hoppiness its mostly a malty ale so really limited to no bitterness.

Palate: This is a full bodied beer with some alcohol undertones and a long chocolate finish.

I really have enjoyed this beer and this was the first time I have tried it on tap. Normally able to find it in 22% Bottle (Nicely boxed).

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2012 01:51:57 | More by JHS123

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a small snifter. Beige head, moderate retention. Clear, resinous lacing sticks to the glass. Body of beer is dark, dark chocolaty brown. Aroma includes vanilla, chocolate, toasted malt and coffee. Not picking up the chilies or pecans (actually I'm getting more of an almond) but I'm sure they are just dominated by the other smells. Taste is mainly coffee and chocolate malt. Still not picking up chili but oh well, very tasty regardless. Alcohol very well hidden for a high gravity ale. Excellent. Edit, slight tingling in the mouth and tongue after the fact. Still didn't taste the chilies, but now I feel them. :-)

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2012 04:35:05 | More by KickbacksSteve

alpinebryant

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Nice box display, pours a dark coffee brown with a 1 inch head of tan bubbles.

S: Smells of lightly roasted nuts, cocoa and some heavy roast malts.

T: The aroma was underwhelming and slightly less than I may have expected with so many non beer ingredients listed on the label. The flavor of this beer on the other hand actually displayed a lot of these ingredients. Most prominent is the cocoa and a rich caramel toffee flavor. Green chili's at the end and a nice warming chili flavor as well that will make your throat a little toasty. Dark bakers chocolate and cocoa nib flavors that are bittering rather than sweet. The backbone of this of course is a nutty old ale flavor with some pecan presence that is beaten out by the chili and toffee flavors.

M: Medium body with a lot of carbonation that is slightly prickly.

O: Overall, this is pretty tasty and has a lot going on. I am reminded of a chili chocolate bar that I had once that tasted very similar. There are very few unattenuated sugars left behind which is a nice change for a beer of this volume. Well Done

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 17:11:24 | More by alpinebryant

Lare453

Florida

3.48/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Large format bottle into a dfh snifter

A nice jet black with a small light tan fast dissipating head. Light lacing

S light cocoa, sweet, tin,

T malt, fresh ground grain, light cocoa, tiniest bit of green pepper and a bit of Cayenne, little cinnamon, little bit of nuttiness

M thick, creamy, soft, smooth

O not bad, but nothing I would drink frequently... Probably wouldn't buy another.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 01:51:15 | More by Lare453