Wicked Weed beers are now in Georgia! What a wonderful thing that is. The good news is that I can get them, the bad news is that some are ridiculously priced ($16-$17 for a half liter bottle). Still and all, there are a number that are more reasonable in the bottle, and some I’ll even pay the high price for. Hey, Wicked Weed impressed the hell out of me when I visited a few years ago.

Tonight I’m sampling Wicked Weed Xibalba, their fall seasonal brew. It’s early November as I enjoy, and their beers only came into Georgia last month, so it didn’t take long for them to make it to Taco Mac. Wicked Weed Xibalba is a sort of pumpkin mole beer, described by the brewery as an imperial pumpkin ale. Here’s what they say on the label:

For everything there is a season and tradition. That’s why our pumpkin ale, brewed with cacao nibs, ancho, serrano, and habanero chilies with fall spices, is brewed once a year during the onset of autumn. Inspired by the mythos of the ancients, Xibalba (she-bahl-ba) is an otherworldly reminder that seasons are fleeting and to be celebrated.

And there you have it! Wicked Weed Xibalba has an alcohol content of 8.2% by volume and is expensive at $8 for an 11-ounce glass at Taco Mac. I’ve seen it at Total Wine for $9.99 for a half liter bottle as well. The beer takes its name from Mayan mythology, as Wikipedia explains:

Xibalba roughly translated as "place of fear", is the name of the underworld in K'iche' Maya mythology, ruled by the Maya death gods and their helpers.

My glass of Wicked Weed Xibalba arrived a very dark brown to black in color with a very light head and notes of light chili and cocoa in the nose. Taking a sip, I get lots more cocoa in the palate along with light cinnamon and perhaps dry nutmeg, though no pumpkin really. I do get light chili flavor and very subtle heat as it warms, but I want more heat here and it leaves me without it. The finish is dry with spice and a bit of warming alcohol.

 

I am glad I tried Wicked Weed Xibalba and I did enjoy it, but would I buy it again? I would not, not at these prices. There are far too many beers I like as well or even better for less money. I would score this 4 stars overall on flavor and style (wether you peg it as a pumpkin beer or a mole) with a full star off for the price. $9.99 for a half liter bottle is just too much to ask for an average beer folks.

 

 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

(G)=Growler

 

 

 



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