Starr Hill Double Bass Chipotle Double Chocolate Stout
Starr Hill Double Bass is a tasty, rich stout packed with a surprising earthy character that I enjoyed a good deal. And now it’s part of a special variety pack from the brewery called Box of Chocolates Stout Pack which features this brew and three variants using ingredients like mocha, peppermint and chipotle. As a big fan of chili peppers starting out with the Chipotle Double Bass seemed more than appropriate.
For those of you that don’t do well with fiery foods have nothing to fear with this portion of the variety pack. The chipotle within this black brew doesn’t bring the heat, instead offering up just a hint of gentle warmth and a lovely smokiness that goes great with the chocolate, coffee notes and earthiness the beer presents on its own. Everything comes together nicely with excellent balance within the full-bodied brew. That chipotle smokiness lingers for a good long while after each sip, keeping the moderate sweetness in check.
Just like the standard Double Bass, this is a solid beer. It feels as though there is a touch more sweetness than I noted in my review of the original, but perhaps that is done to match the light chipotle warmth and smokiness. Or, then again, perhaps I just misinterpreted the level previously. I, personally, would have liked a bit more heat, but that’s just me. Chipotle Double Bass is certainly a nice variant on a solid brew.
This is a review of a promotional sample.