Monday, February 4, 2013

Beer Review: Abraxas

Reviewing Abraxas from Perennial Artisan Ales out of St. Louis, Missouri.
Score: 97

November 2012 vintage bottle served in a Half Acre snifter and enjoyed on 01/04/12.

Appearance: Pours a coffee color with two or three fingers of dark mocha head off the pour that slowly settles to a thin layer atop the glass. Awesome lacing and retention. Pitch perfect stout appearance. 5/5

Smell: The nose is dominated by it's three primary advertised ingredients. The cinnamon is most prominent, followed in "boldness" by the chili peppers and milk chocolate. There is some brown sugar and roast too. The chili pepper aroma grows as the beer warms up. At room temperature, there is a faint dark fruit character present in the nose as well. 4.75/5

Taste: The flavor is likewise defined by it's three primary ingredients, but with the amount of chili and cinnamon flipped (that is to say that the chili pepper flavor is more prevalent than the cinnamon on the palate). The pepper element imparts a nice amount of "life" on the tongue without being overly "spicy" courtesy of the the chocolate backbone anchor. The cinnamon flavor reminds me of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal because it is paired with malted barley/cereal grain flavor too. Cocoa, dark chocolate and faint vanilla round out the flavor profile. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Not quite full bodied, but approaching it. Spot on carbonation. Good liveliness on the palate from the chili peppers. 4.5/5

Overall: This brew is an absolute Hunahpu's killer without the accompanying "rarity tax." Kudos to Perennial for yet another knock out brew.

Recommendation: Fans of chili stouts and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal NEED to seek this one out.

Pairings: A cigar.

Cost: $22.99 for a 750 ml bottle.

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