Appearance

The Belching Beaver Mexican Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout (MCPB) has a head, that at first glance, looks like ice cream. There is a satisfying viscosity to the pour that reinforces its stout style.

Aroma

The aroma on the MCPB is freshly shelled peanuts, cotton candy, with some underlying copper/metallic aromas.

Flavor

The first few sips I’m hit with big peanut butter flavors that give way to rich malts and chocolate. The flavor combination is reminiscent of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, if they were done with a high end natural peanut butter. There is a cinnamon note present, but it is subtle at first. As the MCPB warms up, the cinnamon becomes more pronounced, as does the chocolate.

Balance

Considering the intensity of the peanut butter and chocolate, neither overwhelm the palate, or subtract from other flavors.

Finish

The finish on the Mexican Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout is rich chocolate that gives way to distinct peanut butter. The cinnamon comes through just as the peanut butter fades away, and tends to linger for some time.

Overall

So often with beers that are marketed with a specific flavor, the main advertised flavor is too soft and ends up being a let down. Not only does the Mexican Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout deliver on big peanut butter and chocolate, but it also gives you the cinnamon and complexity that comes with Mexican hot chocolate. I won’t hesitate to pick up another Belching Beaver Mexican Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout on my next visit to my local bottle shop.

John McTavish

SCORE

8.25

Cost/Point

$1.09

Scoring System

Personal Beer Review: Belching Beaver Mexican Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout