Stone Brewing Co. Xocoveza For The Holidays
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What the brewers say
“This insanely delicious take on Mexican hot chocolate is crafted with cocoa, coffee, pasilla peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Moderate spiciness where the spicy peppers slightly overpower the chocolate. Reminiscent of Halloween spices with light cinnamon and an earthy character. Chocolate, chile, and roast. Cinnamon, mild pepper aroma, and chocolate combine to smell a bit like an incense-filled Nepali import shop. I can reframe it as mole, but it’s more like incense.”
Flavor: “Flavor is very much mole: the chile flavor is there, with a hint of chipotle spicy smoke, along with an earthy cocoa, but the spices are very much in play, with strong cinnamon and mild cumin. A touch of alcohol warming, just enough to know it is there. Subtle heat.”
Overall: “Very drinkable and balanced with a good chile flavor, light chile spice, chocolate, and a cinnamon note. Nicely balanced and surprisingly quaffable. This hits all the expected notes (chile, chocolate, and malt) without overdoing any of them.”
