Fitger’s Brewery has a lot of nostalgia for me. As a child, my parents frequently drove us up to Duluth, Minnesota to spend time along the north shore and Lake Superior. The wooden boardwalk that lead to the Fitger’s Brewery facility was a favorite trip. While I was too young to drink beer at that time, I do recall the candy store within the pedestrian mall that was attached to Fitger’s.
Fitger’s makes all kinds of fun styles of beers. I was privileged enough to try their anniversary Sour Cherry Mash while visiting on the way up to my brother’s wedding this fall. This review, however, is about another beer I found at the brewery. El Chupacabara.
El Chupacabara is a beer that is a Vienna lager infused with chipotle chili. In my life, I had never hear of such a thing. Naturally, this meant I had to try it. The first sip is very classic to a lager. Smooth, clean and clear. Wait for a few moments and you get an incredibly pleasing warmth throughout your throat and mouth.
It poured a goldish red color, which I attribute to the chili peppers in the brewing. There was not much head, and what head there was dissipated quickly. The nose only hinted at the chipotle taste of the beer. It smelled a bit peppery and intriguing. This beer isn’t too spicy and isn’t overwhelmed by the chipotle used in the brewing process. It was very nicely balanced.
I like the novelty of this beer. Fitger’s does not bottle their beer for retail sale. You can only get Fitger’s beers by visiting their gastropub or purchasing a growler to take home with you. I have a growler of this puppy in my fridge, which I enjoy pouring from time to time. I would never want more than one glass of El Chupacabara at once, but that warming feeling has been greatly appreciated as Minnesota winter approaches.
As a side note – This beer would be an amazing Bloody Mary chaser. As an additional side note, AutoCorrect would like to make Chupacabara into Copacabana. And this amuses me. Happy Wednesday!
Beer: El Chupacabara
Style: Vienna/Lager - Chili Beer
Brewery: Fitger's Brewery
ABV: 5.5%
Served from: Growler
Rating: 3.5/5
Fitger’s makes all kinds of fun styles of beers. I was privileged enough to try their anniversary Sour Cherry Mash while visiting on the way up to my brother’s wedding this fall. This review, however, is about another beer I found at the brewery. El Chupacabara.
El Chupacabara is a beer that is a Vienna lager infused with chipotle chili. In my life, I had never hear of such a thing. Naturally, this meant I had to try it. The first sip is very classic to a lager. Smooth, clean and clear. Wait for a few moments and you get an incredibly pleasing warmth throughout your throat and mouth.
It poured a goldish red color, which I attribute to the chili peppers in the brewing. There was not much head, and what head there was dissipated quickly. The nose only hinted at the chipotle taste of the beer. It smelled a bit peppery and intriguing. This beer isn’t too spicy and isn’t overwhelmed by the chipotle used in the brewing process. It was very nicely balanced.
I like the novelty of this beer. Fitger’s does not bottle their beer for retail sale. You can only get Fitger’s beers by visiting their gastropub or purchasing a growler to take home with you. I have a growler of this puppy in my fridge, which I enjoy pouring from time to time. I would never want more than one glass of El Chupacabara at once, but that warming feeling has been greatly appreciated as Minnesota winter approaches.
As a side note – This beer would be an amazing Bloody Mary chaser. As an additional side note, AutoCorrect would like to make Chupacabara into Copacabana. And this amuses me. Happy Wednesday!
Beer: El Chupacabara
Style: Vienna/Lager - Chili Beer
Brewery: Fitger's Brewery
ABV: 5.5%
Served from: Growler
Rating: 3.5/5
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