The typical go-to winter beer is dark, heavy, and filling. Like a bear readying itself for hibernation, beer geeks pack on protective layers of warming fat with stouts, porters, and other black beers. Why not go a step further, though? Why not infuse these beers with hot chilies to really turn up the heat? For this one-two punch against the chill of winter, try InnerGlow Red Chile Porter (7% ABV) from Eddyline Brewing.
Color: When sitting on the table, InnerGlow is essentially pitch black. When held to light, however, this beer reveals itself to be a very dark red. It’s topped with a thin, tan head.
Aroma: For the most part, InnerGlow features a light, chocolate-y malt aroma but a little peppery waft betrays the heat lying within.
Taste: InnerGlow is smoky with a faint chocolate aftertaste. The eponymous red chilies begin feebly but gains strength with each sip. By the end of the glass, the drinker experiences a moderate but constant burn that, in the cold weather, isn’t so unpleasant.
Mouthfeel: InnerGlow isn’t as thick as one might expect; porters—while thinner than stouts—still have heft. This beer seems like it out to be subtitled “Red Chile Schwarzbier.” One thinks the only factor preventing such an appellation is that InnerGlow was brewed with ale yeast rather than lager yeast.
When the temperatures dip below freezing, nothing thaws a beer geek out quite like InnerGlow. Pick up a bomber bottle at your local Denver area liquor store.
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