We love spicy food in all forms and Tabasco sauce is a staple on our dinner table, but when we heard about two new spicy beers, we had to raise our eyebrows a bit. The beers are called Crime and Punishment and they’re from Stone Brewing Company, a brewery known for its ability to push the flavor envelope a bit.
Both beers are chile-infused versions of Stone Brewing Company’s Arrogant Bastard Ales. Crime is Lucky Bastard Ale (a blend of Arrogant Bastard Ale, Double Bastard Ale and OAKED Arrogant Baster Ale) brewed with freshly harvested peppers (like jalapenos and black nagas) and aged in bourbon barrels. Punishment is 2013 Double Bastard Ale brewed with freshly harvested peppers and aged in bourbon barrels, but this one is a bit hotter because it uses Caribbean red hots, fatalis, and Moruga scorpion peppers.
Their website tries to scare the crap out of you with bold statements like “They are downright incendiary. If extreme heat isn’t your thing, they just might hurt you. Are you up to the challenge?” However, we also read a review that says although the beers are spicy, they’re actually pretty good. They said the best part is the aroma, which is Stone’s familiar hop and caramel notes blended with the intense smell of a whole ristra of dried chiles.
Upon further investigation, it seems like there are actually a good amount of spicy beers out there. Some popular brands we’ve found are:
- Twisted Pine Ghostface Killah
- Cambridge Brewing Co’s Fire and Brimstone
- Rogue Chipotle Ale
- Elysian Peste Chocolate Chili Ale
- Night Shift Brewing Viva Habenera
We usually think of having a beer as something refreshing, so we’re still not totally sold on the idea of having a drink that makes you need another drink to cool your mouth. Do you drink any spicy beers? Why do you like them?