Xingu Black Beer

If you look up Xingu Black Beer on their website, www.amazonbeer.com, you will find that they describe it in two simple words:  Black Silk.  I must say that I totally agree with their description and that, for once in the world of alcohol, the manufacturer is neither claiming too little nor too much.  Indeed the bubbles in this drink are quite small, exuding a soft feeling in the mouth and on the tongue. 

Xingu is not what you would expect from a black beer; the usual bitterness that is persistent in most dark brews simply does not exist in this crafted beverage from Brazil.  The first thing you notice on the palate when taking a sip is the intense chocolate taste.  This is no Hershey’s chocolate, mind you; it is the essence of some of the best dark 60%-80% cocoa bars I have had the pleasure of tasting.  This chocolate taste envelopes the entire mid-palate.  On the side palate you get a hint of smoke, light enough so that if you are not paying attention you will miss it.  The effect on the back palate really took me a while to place; I was almost through the entire beer when I figured it out.   The slight sweetness of orange zest, combined with an extremely slight bitter taste, as if, in your enthusiasm to zest an orange you had taken off a tiny bit of pith along with the delectable outer shell, are present just at the back of your tongue.

I am highly impressed with this beer.  A great beverage to pair with food or just drink by itself, Xingu is a definite must try.  The only real problem with this beer is that it is not readily available.  I have been searching for it at all my local supermarkets, but to no avail.  I blame this partially on NY State’s ridiculous notion that you cannot sell beer and wine on the same premises.  I would venture to guess that Xingu, being a niche market item, has a difficult time getting shelf space with large grocery store chains.  There is one restaurant in my neighborhood in which I have spied the beverage though; it goes by the name of Mundo and I owe to it heaping amounts of gratitude for introducing me to this devastatingly delicious Brazilian concoction