“Variant of the regular mano negra with chill added & aged in bordeaux wine barrels. Abv: 10%.”
Glassware: Tulip.
Appearance: Bit of a gusher! Pours a deep cola hue with some light penetrating around the edges. Fizzy two finger head which vanished almost immediately. Zero lacing as we indulge.
Aroma: Quite funky. Lots of red wine, vinegar, musty oak, truffle, dried chilli, earthy spice and berries/cherries. Lots of vinous tannins beginning to open up as it warms, really starting reveal those complex, dry and musty Bordeaux barrels. Very elegant.
Flavour: Lots for the taste buds to isolate here. Funky and slightly tart upfront. Woody oak and wine tannins quickly overtake as the subtle warmth from the chilli weighs in around the mid palate. Then ash, bitter dark chocolate and peppery spice before a long drawn out heat from the chilli is enjoyed on the rear.
Mouthfeel: Fizzy, dry and warming with a focus on that vinous tannin. Mild-moderate body and high carbonation.
Overall: Not a beer we’d normally reach for but we’re thoroughly glad we did. It’s fun and rather unique. We’d love to try the bourbon barrel aged version!