REVIEW: Founders Mango Magnifico Con Calor

I'm pretty excited for this one. Mango Magnifico Con Calor, a 10% ABV beer brewed with mango and habanero, and the newest entry into Founders' much lauded backstage series. This is the first backstage series beer I've been able to get onto the blog. Unfortunately a whole lot of them we can't get here in Ohio because of the asinine law that disallows any beer over 12% ABV. That's probably why the only backstage beers I've had (Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Doom, and Bolt Cutter) I all drank at the Beer Trappe in Lexington. Anyway, all of these beers are brewed in very small quantities and thus, highly sought after. I've been really impressed with all of the backstage beers I've had so I'm very pumped to give this one a try. To the beer!

Mango Magnifico pours a beautifully clear honey gold in color topped by a finely bubbled, frothy white head. It recedes to a persistent rim and laces pretty nicely on the way down. A very pretty beer indeed.

The massive, pungent, juicy mango notes dominate the aromas here. Alongside the fruit is just a touch of mint, some faint earthy, herbal bits and a hint of that spicy heat. Bright, lively, and quite sweet. Interesting.

OK, So this is a beer brewed with mango and habanero, it tasted like a beer brewed with a lot of mango and a lot of habanero. It begins with a mild prickly spiciness that becomes a legitimate heat that lingers quite a while on the back of the mouth and the sides of the tongue. It's not a heat that starts to make you sweat or stings your lips or anything, but it's pretty robust. Probably the spiciest beer I've yet to have though. It doesn't overpower however. Plenty of juicy, sweet mango and some notes of candied sugar contrast the heat very nicely. Mango Magnifico is awfully refreshing for a beer this big. Also, the ABV isn't much to speak of, although the alcohol heat may be masked by the habaneros.

Mango Magnifico is a little bit one note. Well, I suppose two note would be more accurate. But when the notes are this good I do not mind at all. The juicy mango sweetness and robust habanero heat are balanced incredibly well. If you can track town a bottle of this one I highly recommend it. One of the more interesting and enjoyable beers I've had in a while.