Terrapin-Shmaltz A Beer for Hope Reunion Ale ‘11

I picked up a bottle of the Terrapin-Shmaltz collaboration A Beer for Hope Reunion Ale ‘11 from Giant Eagle in Pittsburgh.  The beer pours a black color with an extremely lofty and frothy head that leaves plenty of lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of sweet and dark chocolate nibs, vanilla, oak, toasted malts, and a chili spiciness. The taste is smooth and roasty with dark chocolate nibs that are quickly taken over by spicy chilies. Hints of vanilla and oak shine through, but a peppery spice that warms the throat comes out in full force in the finish. The after taste has a pairing of milk chocolate and a Tobasco-like spice. The alcohol content is 7.6% ABV. This was a wonderfully spiced chocolate beer that was balanced well and not overly hot, but did not have a nice kick on top of chocolate and vanilla sweetness. However, one glass was more than enough for me and I found it difficult to drink an entire 22-ounce bottle.