New pepper beers bring the heat this fall

Pepper beers aren’t seasonal in nature, but it sure seems that way lately. Maybe it’s that we need a touch of heat when the days turn cold or that so many of today’s pepper beers play off the flavors of the Mexican hot chocolate.

Whatever the reason, fans of beers brewed with peppers have more options than ever. From bright, peppery pale ales to sweet and spicy stouts, here are a handful of local options if you’re looking for beers with a kick. 

Ass Clown Brewing Co.

As the bounty above illustrates, Ass Clown Brewing works with a lot of peppers — both in terms of variety and volume. Into brown ales, pumpkin beers, IPAs, saisons and stouts go habanero, guajillo, chipotle, jalapeño and Carolina Reaper peppers.

Currently, the brewery has on tap its Habanero Brown Ale and Turkey Day, a saison brewed with cranberries and chipotle peppers that pairs well with any Thanksgiving feast. Coming back soon are Go Reap Yourself and Ghost Chile IPA, which will be heading to bottles in January.

Try it: Ass Clown Brewing, 10620 Bailey Road, Cornelius. 

Birdsong Brewing Co.

Years ago, Birdsong Brewing’s head brewer Conor Robinson was short a pilot batch beer one Thirsty Thursday. He improvised by infusing the brewery’s Free Will Pale Ale with fresh-cut jalapeños, and Charlotteans have been in love with Birdsong’s Jalapeño Pale Ale ever since.

Some lament that the beer has practically no heat due to the pepper seeds being removed, but others love it for its fresh green pepper flavor. It’s an exceptionally food friendly beer, and though Mexican cuisine seems the easy match, it’s for good reason. Also look for the brewery’s recently released MexiCali Stout, brewed with serrano peppers, cacao nibs, cinnamon, and coffee from Central Coffee.

Try it: Birdsong Brewing, 1016 North Davidson St. 

Full Spectrum Brewing Co.

 It makes sense that Full Spectrum Brewing Co. would brew with Carolina Reaper peppers from their neighbors at Puckerbutt Pepper Company, located in downtown Fort Mill, S.C.

And though Reaper Roast Amber is brewed with the world’s hottest pepper, don’t expect an overwhelming burn. The heat is there on the finish, but tempered by a sweet malt profile and cold-brewed coffee from Fort Mill’s Forte Legato Coffee Company. Six-packs of the beer were just released in the taproom for $11, and they are also available at several South Carolina beer stores.

Try it: Full Spectrum Brewing Co.,  2180 Carolina Place Dr, Ste #101, Fort Mill, SC. 

NoDa Brewing Co. 

In 2013, Dave Tollefson and Glenn Cutler (better known as the NC Beer Guys) took best of show in NoDa Brewing’s Top of the Hop Pro-Am homebrewing competition for Hot Pistol, their chocolate, raspberry and habanero stout. NoDa brewed it on the big system that year, and the spicy and sweet stout has made its appearance several times since. It’s back on tap again and available for growler fills as well, with talk of canning the beer next year.

Try it: NoDa Brewing Co., 2921 North Tryon St.

The Unknown Brewing Co. 

Do you know how much goes into making mole? As a fan of the sauce, I looked into it once. I quickly tossed that idea aside when I saw the Sisyphean level of effort and ingredients it would take. Unknown Brewing wasn’t as intimidated, setting out to craft a mole-inspired beer for their annual Día de los Muertos beer. Their newly-released Dos AK’s was brewed with both chipotle and poblano peppers, as well as coriander, cinnamon and cacao nibs. Like mole, it’s sweet, smoky and complex.

Try it: The Unknown Brewing Co., 1327 S Mint St.

Photos: Ass Clown Brewing, Daniel Hartis, Full Spectrum Brewing Co. and The Unknown Brewing Co. 

This story was originally published November 27, 2016 at 10:24 AM with the headline "New pepper beers bring the heat this fall."