Belô São Francisco

Chocolate malt aromas are first to greet you, followed quickly by alcohol and dark fruits characters of raisins and prunes. Dark, candy sugar sweetness rises above it all, accompanied by hints of dark caramel malts and a hint of peppery phenols. Dark brown in color with some deep copper highlights, this beer is also very hazy. The beige-colored foam dissipates quickly, leaving only the slightest ring of tiny bubbles. As the lack of a head suggests, there is very little carbonation lending to a full and somewhat sticky mouthfeel.

The raisin elements come through in the flavor and combine with the caramel sweetness to create the flavors of a freshly-baked confection. Hints of chocolate, alcohol and just enough hop bitterness keep it from being cloying. The beer then finishes with some pepper spice and more raisins. Increased carbonation would take this one to another level, but it is still a delicious dessert sipper nonetheless.