Do you like beer? Do you like hot peppers? If you do then I have the beer for you: New Belgium Lips of Faith Cocoa Mole Ale with Cocoa and Spices. Actually, there are spicier beers on the market, and though this one has heat, the beauty of it is in the balance between the spicy pepper flavor and the cinnamon and chocolate. Those are always the hallmark of a good Mole beer (witness New Holland Mole Ocho Ale).

From the label:

Say Hola to a spiced up ale full of cocoa and ancho, guajillo, chipotle peppers. But don’t fear the heat, because plenty of caramel and chocolate malts bring a smooth, complex flavor to our Cocoa Molé. Scents of cinnamon when poured will have you saying, “¡Olé for molé!”

Specs from the brewery:

Birthdate:  January, 2012

Body:  Medium - Full

Hops:  Target

Malts:  Pale, C-80, Chocolate, Dark Chocolate

Fruits/Spice:  Cocoa, Chili, Cinnamon

I bought a beautiful painted glass bottle at Total Wine last year for $7.99. I’m finally getting around to it in June of 2013 and it’s still wonderful, but no surprise that a beer this big of alcohol content 9% by volume should have kept so well.

New Belgium Lips of Faith Cocoa Mole Ale with Cocoa and Spices pours to a dark brown color with a thick creamy head formation and a dark chocolate and peppery spice nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a good base of sweet chocolaty malt up front. I’m definitely getting the dark chocolate here, slightly bittersweet, some cinnamon and brown sugar, and then at the last the pepper emerges. It plays on the tongue and the back of the throat and is definitely perceptible, peppery, and spicy-but still not spicy enough for my taste buds.

That said, I do like the way the hot peppers and cinnamon combine to call forth images of a hot ball candy. Add in the chocolate and this is really a winner. Truly delicious, and a natural as a dessert beer. Now, I am a hot pepper aficionado, so your mileage may vary on the spiciness in this beer. I’ve been known to scarf down a plate of hot and spicy wings, and then drink the sauce that’s leftover on the plate.

As the New Belgium Lips of Faith Cocoa Mole Ale warms it continues to pepper the mouth, tongue, and throat more and more. Give it a try, and see for yourself. We only live once, and flavor like this is something that should not be missed. The flavors all marry together so perfectly here.

Oddly enough, the second half of the bottle paired extremely well with a roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli. The alcohol and spice cut through the slightly greasy chicken quite nicely.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

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