Beer Review: Copper Kettle’s Mexican Chocolate Stout

Mexican Chocolate Stout, Copper Kettle Brewing Company, Denver

Style: Stout

ABV: 7 percent

Serving Type: 1 pint, 6-ounce bottle

Malty? Hoppy? Definitely malty

Reviewed: December 2013

The last time I was at Copper Kettle to sample brews, a couple walked up to the bar with very confused looks and asked about some sort of chocolate beer. The regulars grinned into their mugs because the brewery’s award-winning Mexican Chocolate Stout is well-known in beer circles. (The brew won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2011.) The confusion was quickly sorted out when the couple admitted they were buying a stash for their out-of-state son who loved the stuff. The bartender asked how many bottles they’d like. They looked blankly at each other until the woman, said, “A case, I guess. That’ll be enough, won’t it?”

For most beers, I would have interjected and said that a six-pack would do, but Copper Kettle’s stout isn’t a normal beer. It is not an everyday beer, either—the spice notes will blackout your taste buds. It’s a special-occasion, want-to-impress-friends, bring-to-a-dinner-party kind of brew. And, it is worthwhile to stock up, store it, and enjoy whenever you have a hankering for a bold bottle.

The beer is a deep, deep brown, with a surprisingly quick-to-dissipate head. Strong spice notes will hit you quickly, and every sip of this brew will reinforce them. But, before you are scared off, you’ll pick up notes of cinnamon and the more subtle tones of bittersweet chocolate that will remind you less of a hot chocolate enjoyed après ski and more of a chocolate mole sauce. Pair this stout with an enchilada plate, and you’ll thank us.

Would we buy it again? Yes, whenever I want to impress my beer-nerd friends that visit from out-of-town.

Bonus: Meet the brewer here.

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