Parallel 49 Mystic Skull No. 5 Spice / Herb / Vegetable at 5.5% ABV | 26 IBU (C$7.50 at J. Webb Wine Merchant, 650 ml, packaged on 18-Jan-2017, acquired 30-Apr-2017, reviewed 7-Jul-2017)
Appearance: clear medium amber with one finger of loose ivory head diminishing rapidly to a persistent cap, no lacing. (2/5) Aroma: chilli peppers, dry cocoa, corn. (5/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, moderate peppery spice. (4/10) Palate: medium body tending watery, soft carbonation, medium duration mild spicy finish. (3/5)
After over 2500 unique beers, this is probably the worst gusher I’ve ever experienced. I saw it rushing up immediately upon decapping, and tilted it upright while I grabbed a glass, but it still firehosed a good 3-4” vertically. Yet, the head diminishes rapidly, and very little residual carbonation retains, so I’m wondering if it might be infected. Flavours are unbalanced, with a sharp chilli note on the outset that could really use some malt for support – but never gets it. No hop character to speak of, and a body that drops off thin and watery. About the only good thing I can say about this is, it’s different. Immediately after saying that, I said “… thankfully” and sink poured the remaining mess. A bit shit, overall. (9/20)
4.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
