New Belgium Brewing Company Lips of Faith Cocoa Molé Spice / Herb / Vegetable at 9% ABV (C$12.75 at Sundance Wine Market, 650 ml, best before 29-Jan-2017, reviewed 1-Apr-2016)
Appearance: clear brown with one finger of loose light beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: roasty malts, chocolate, red berries, chilli pepper, caramel, cinnamon? (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild bitter, mild spice. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry building spicy finish. (3/5)
Not radically dissimilar to e.g. Prairie Artisan’s Christmas Bomb!, in that it has a decently integrated chilli spice, but the thinner body and lighter chocolate flavours don’t seem to work quite as well. Certainly I’m not getting the impression of Mexican hot chocolate or mole (molé? my research indicates no) sauce the way I did with Christmas Bomb! The upside here is that although the spice builds, it never becomes overwhelming. Pleasant, but not overly memorable. (13/20)
6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
