16 Most Popular Spicy Beers To Try (2024)

Introduction

Welcome, beer lovers! Spicy beers could be your new adventure if you crave a kick with your beer. These beverages blend the art of brewing with the heat of chili peppers, including habanero peppers, to create a unique sensory experience. Not for the faint-hearted beer drinker, these beers turn up the heat, ranging from the subtle spice of brown ale to the fiery habanero Sculpin. Take a trip through the bold brewing flavors, from Mexican cake and sweet heat to the tropical fruit notes of San Diego’s Stone Brewing. Prepare your palate for an exciting fusion of hops and warmth, giving traditional craft beers a run for their money. So, if you’re a fan of spice, chili, and all things hot, these spicy beers are set to add some heat to your beer enjoyment.

Burnside Brewing Co. Sweet Heat

When it comes to spicy beers, Burnside Brewing Co. Sweet Heat is a delight for every beer drinker who cherishes a hint of spice. This beer is a perfect symphony of heat and sweetness, a testament to the skill of brewing. The beer marries the punch of habanero peppers with the sweet tropical fruits, adding a surprising twist to the traditional beer flavor. The real hero, however, is the habanero Sculpin, a chili pepper that imparts an intense heat that lingers on your palate.

But don’t let the habanero scare you away. The heat is balanced beautifully with a subtle sweetness that prevents this spicy beer from becoming overwhelming. The first sip might remind you of a spicy food experience with its lingering heat. As you continue, the notes of apricot and a hint of citrus shine through, combating the initial spiciness.

Ballast Point Habanero Sculpin

The Ballast Point Habanero Sculpin is a beer that truly earns the title of “spicy.” This ale takes the heat up a notch, delivering a robust punch of habanero peppers straight to your taste buds. The brewing process meticulously combines habanero heat with a backdrop of crisp, citrusy notes, creating a unique beer experience that goes beyond the conventional. The first sip introduces you to an intense heat, like biting into a fresh habanero pepper. But don’t be scared off. This bold introduction mellows into a flavor profile rich with grapefruit and lemon undercurrents. These citrus accents serve as a refreshing counterbalance to the initial habanero punch, making the Sculpin an enjoyable adventure for your palate.

Golden Road Brewing Spicy Mango Cart

Golden Road Brewing’s Spicy Mango Cart is a revelation in the world of spicy beers. A twist on the classic wheat ale, this beer infuses the tropical sweetness of mango with the fiery kick of habanero peppers. The result?, A spicy beer that’s as refreshing as it is bold. Upon the first sip, you’re greeted with juicy mango notes that dance delightfully on your taste buds. Soon after, the habanero makes its dramatic entrance, adding a thrilling heat that’s unexpected yet enticing. Don’t let the spice deter you; it’s masterfully balanced with the mango’s natural sweetness, creating a flavor profile that’s complex yet harmonious. The brewing process showcases the innovative use of habanero peppers, blending them perfectly with the fruity undertones to offer a beer that’s both daring and enjoyable.

Dogfish Head Theobroma

Dogfish Head’s Theobroma takes a unique approach to spicy beer, introducing a sublime fusion of chili heat and smooth cocoa. This brew hails from ancient recipes, where beer was seen as a divine gift, thus earning its name “Theobroma,” meaning “food of the gods”. The first sip introduces you to a delicate bitterness of cocoa, soon accompanied by the heat of chili peppers, including the habanero. The heat is a gentle sensation, complementing rather than overpowering the cocoa’s richness. The play of flavors is intriguing, demonstrating a sophisticated balance between bitterness, sweetness, and heat.

Twisted Pine Ghost Face Killah

Twisted Pine Ghost Face Killah is a spicy beer that’s a force to be reckoned with. This beer breaks all conventions with a heat level that could rival some of the spiciest foods. The star of the show? An impressive mix of six chili peppers, including the famed Ghost Pepper, arguably one of the hottest peppers in the world. But don’t be quick to label this beer as a one-trick, fiery pony. As with all great beers, there’s more than meets the eye. The initial heat, potent yet thrilling, gradually gives way to a subtle malt sweetness that tempers the spiciness and brings balance to this unique brew. This combination of fire and sweet subtlety makes Ghost Face Killah a memorable exploration of the spicy beer realm.

Evil Twin Spicy Nachos

Evil Twin’s Spicy Nachos is a spicy beer that’s anything but ordinary. This brew combines the rich taste of jalapenos with the crispness of a pale ale, resulting in a beer experience that’s as unique as its name suggests. The spice level is noticeable yet not overwhelming, providing a tantalizing kick that beer enthusiasts with a penchant for heat will appreciate. The initial taste introduces a mild malt sweetness that begins your journey into this brew’s flavor profile. As you continue to sip, the jalapeno’s heat slowly begins to unfold, like the gradual heat of real nachos. The finish is a harmonious blend of the initial maltiness and lingering heat, a delicious testament to Evil Twin’s creative approach to brewing. Despite its heat, Spicy Nachos doesn’t shy away from its beer origins.

Rogue Sriracha Hot Stout

Rogue’s Sriracha Hot Stout revolutionizes the brewing scene by bringing together the iconic hot sauce and traditional stout. This fusion is not just an adventurous experiment but an innovation that pushes the boundaries of flavor. Upon the first sip, you encounter the robust flavor of stout that lays the foundation for this brew. It is soon accompanied by the distinct punch of Sriracha hot sauce. The fiery heat is not for the faint-hearted but is balanced by the stout’s characteristic maltiness. As you continue to explore this brew, hints of chocolate and caramel become apparent, adding complexity to the spice-infused beer.

Mikkeller Texas Ranger Porter

A true gem in the realm of spicy beers, Mikkeller’s Texas Ranger Porter is an adventurous blend of heat and rich porter flavors. The star of the show is the Chipotle pepper, which delivers a smoky heat that’s both robust and tantalizing. The initial sip introduces you to the deep, malty flavors characteristic of a porter, soon followed by the exciting kick of the Chipotle. However, the spice doesn’t steal the show but rather complements the porter’s natural richness, creating a beer that’s balanced and satisfying. The enjoyable heat of the Texas Ranger Porter doesn’t end abruptly but lingers pleasantly, inviting sip after intriguing sip.

Stone Brewing Smoked Porter With Chipotle Peppers

Stone Brewing’s Smoked Porter with Chipotle Peppers is a masterful merger of smoky richness and chipotle heat. This beer introduces you to the classic porter’s deep, malty flavors, followed swiftly by the smoky heat from the chipotle peppers. The spice is not overpowering, but rather complements the porter’s inherent smokiness, creating a beer that’s intriguing and balanced. The finish is a gentle reminder of the chipotle’s presence, leaving a mild heat on your palate, and encouraging a sip after a satisfying sip.

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout With Ancho

Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout with Ancho peppers is an innovative take on the classic stout. The infusion of Ancho peppers introduces a unique heat to the beer, adding a spicy dimension to the rich, malty flavors of the stout. The first taste offers the deep, smooth notes of a traditional stout, soon followed by a delightful hint of spice. The heat from the Ancho peppers is beautifully balanced, enhancing rather than overwhelming the stout’s robust characteristics.

Throwback Spicy Bohemian

Throwback Brewery’s Spicy Bohemian is a spicy pilsner that’s a masterstroke of brewing. This beer brilliantly brings together the refreshing qualities of a classic pilsner with the bold, spicy notes of jalapeño peppers. From the first sip, the crisp, light pilsner flavors make a delightful appearance, soon followed by the heat of jalapeno. Despite its bold infusion, the spice doesn’t overshadow the pilsner’s inherent character but rather enhances it, adding a daring twist to a classic beer style. The heat level is well-calibrated, making this beer a perfect choice for both pilsner aficionados and those experimenting with spicy brews.

Westbrook Brewing Co. Mexican Cake

Westbrook Brewing Co.’s Mexican Cake is a truly innovative spicy beer that takes your palate on a remarkable flavor journey. The brewing process infuses hints of cocoa, vanilla, and habanero peppers into a rich, imperial stout base. The initial taste introduces the robust flavors of stout and chocolate, soon followed by the sweet notes of vanilla. This sweetness quickly gives way to the thrilling heat of habanero, adding a spicy twist to this complex brew. The heat is balanced, enhancing rather than overpowering the other flavors.

Ska Brewing Autumnal Molé Stout

Ska Brewing’s Autumnal Molé Stout is a harmonious fusion of spice and stout, offering beer enthusiasts a rich, complex flavor profile. The brewing process integrates the heat of Ancho, Guajillo, and Hatch chilies into a robust stout base, accompanied by delightful hints of cocoa and cinnamon. The first taste reveals the stout’s characteristic maltiness, soon complemented by a tantalizing heat from the trio of peppers. The chili’s presence is well-balanced, adding an element of thrill without overwhelming the stout’s inherent richness. The cinnamon and cocoa notes provide a sweet counterbalance, ensuring a well-rounded beer experience.

Finback Brewery En Verano

Finback Brewery’s En Verano is an intriguing exploration into the infusion of heat and hops. This brew masterfully pairs the subtle heat of Jalapeño peppers with a crisp, refreshing saison. The initial taste is light and fruity, characteristic of a classic saison, soon followed by a tasteful hint of Jalapeño. The spice adds a delightful twist, enhancing the beer’s refreshing qualities without overpowering them. The finish is clean and crisp, with a lingering warmth that invites another sip.

Alaskan Brewing Jalapeño Imperial IPA

Alaskan Brewing Jalapeño Imperial IPA is a spicy beer that expertly combines the heat of Jalapeno peppers with the bold flavor of an Imperial IPA. The first taste introduces the hop-forward characteristics of an IPA, soon followed by the exciting heat of Jalapeno peppers. The spice provides a delightful kick, enhancing the beer’s inherent character without overshadowing it. This brew is a perfect blend of the IPA’s hoppiness and the Jalapeno’s heat, resulting in a well-balanced, intriguing beer.

Green Flash Dia De Los Serranos

Green Flash’s Dia De Los Serranos is a spicy beer that pays homage to the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine. This brew incorporates the heat of Serrano peppers into a robust stout, resulting in a unique beer that’s bold and interesting. The initial taste tantalizes your palate with the characteristic richness of stout, which is swiftly followed by the kick of Serrano peppers. Despite its bold infusion, the spice doesn’t dominate but adds a layer of complexity to the stout’s inherent flavors, creating a beer that’s balanced and intriguing. The finish leaves a mild warmth, a satisfying reminder of the Serrano’s presence.

Conclusion

In the realm of brewing, the fusion of heat and hops introduces a uniquely exciting dimension to the beer experience. From the fiery Ghost Face Killah to the harmonious blend of heat and malt in Evil Twin’s Spicy Nachos. The world of spicy beers offers a bold new landscape for the palate. The innovative combinations showcased by Rogue’s Sriracha Hot Stout and Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout with Ancho peppers push the boundaries of traditional brewing, delivering an unforgettable beer experience. Whether your palate favours the smoky heat of the Chipotle pepper or the fiery thrill of habanero. There’s a spicy beer that caters to your taste.

If you’re as excited about these flavours as we are and want to explore them further. Why not schedule a demo with Orderific? You can discover more spicy beers and find the ones that suit your taste. Click here to schedule your demo today. Cheers to the spicy side of life!

FAQs

What defines spicy beers, and how are they crafted to achieve their distinctive heat?

Spicy beers are infused with hot ingredients like peppers during the brewing process to achieve their distinctive heat.

Are there different levels of spiciness in spicy beers, and how do brewers balance flavors and heat?

Yes, the spiciness varies based on the type and quantity of peppers used. Brewers balance flavors by carefully blending the heat with other beer ingredients.

What types of spices or ingredients are commonly used to create the spicy profile in these beers?

Common ingredients include various types of peppers like habanero, jalapeno, and serrano, or spices like cinnamon and ginger.

How does the experience of drinking a spicy beer compare to traditional beer styles, and what food pairings work well with them?

Spicy beers offer a unique heat twist and pair well with robust, savory dishes.