Ska Brewing - Autumnal Molé Stout

For the Ninth Beer of Christmas, we picked a drink that was nearly as black as the can in came in.

Ska Brewing Company
Autumnal Molé Stout

Brewed in Durango, Colorado, just across the border from New Mexico, the Molé Stout was inspired by Mexican and New Mexican cuisine. Along with cocoa nibs and spices, Ska Brewing uses three types of chili peppers (ancho, guajillo and New Mexico's own Hatch green chiles) when brewing this one.

A few people have suggested that on occasion I drink tar. Or, at the very least, motor oil. Pouring this beer into a glass, I can see their confusion. The Molé Stout pours up an opaque black with dark tan head almost half an inch thick. However, the head quickly fades to nothing, not even a ring around the glass. There's no lacing to speak of while drinking it.

Despite being a chili beer, the chili peppers take the background in the aroma. Which is nice. Some chili beers, such as Billy's Chilies from Twisted Pines Brewing in Boulder, Colorado, overwhelm you with the chilies, thereby making it a novelty beer and not one you want on a regular basis. However, the Molé Stout brings toasted dark malts, chocolate, vanilla and a little cinnamon to the forefront while letting the spiciness seep through in the background. It's very pleasant.

The peppers are a little more prevalent in the taste than in the nose. They're well balanced with dark chocolate, toasted malts, and a touch of nutmeg (not the cinnamon that I expected from the aroma.) The body is heavy and rich feeling. There's very little carbonation, which I think adds to the full body feel.

The beer was not only inspired by Mexican/New Mexican cuisine, but also designed to compliment them. I guess I'm going to have to see if I can find some Santa Fe style enchiladas here in Lubbock and try them with this stout.

Stats
Brewer: Ska Brewing Co.
Location: Durango, Colorado
Website: http://www.skabrewing.com
Style: Part Chile Beer and part Stout
Alcohol Content: 5.50% ABV
Interesting Note: Dedicated to their community (along with craft beer,) Ska is happy to donate beer to charitable causes in Southwest Colorado. There are a number of rules (read here) that outline the requirements, but if you're a 501(c)(3) in Southwestern Colorado and you aren't a children's or motor sporting event, you just might score some free Ska beer.