Green Flash Brewing Company Dia De Los Serranos
What the brewers say
“This Double Stout reveals notes of roasted malt, coffee, and sweet baker’s chocolate with a caliente kick of fresh Serrano chiles.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Bright chile note up front with a slight fruity (cherries and peaches) characteristic. Low smoke note, similar to pit smoke. Light chocolate with a hint of roast.”
Flavor: “Cumin and other Mexican spices up front remind me of enchiladas. Chocolate malt first, but then it steps aside for a strong perfumed chile flavor with a delicate flash of heat. After a moment to savor the pepper, the chocolate comes back with a touch of roast. The finish revives the slight burn, this time with an alcohol edge, but overall it’s a mild heat.”
Overall: “I would pair this with Mexican food, although with the bigger body it would pair best with something that does not include a lot of cheese. Nice flow of flavors paces through chocolate then spices then a burst of chile heat. Enjoyable, simple, and straightforward spiced stout that with only a mildly complex chile mole character.”