Brian Seal
Brian Seal
Location: United States (exact location unconfirmed; active in U.S.-based grower communities)
Known For: Creator of the Chocolate Beast chili pepper
Brian Seal is a lesser-known but respected breeder in the chili pepper community, recognized for his work on the Chocolate Beast, a superhot variety bred for both extreme heat and rich color. His approach to pepper breeding combines a passion for gnarly superhots with a commitment to striking visual traits — especially in chocolate or brown-toned peppers, which are often more earthy and pungent in flavor.
The Chocolate Beast was developed through a careful cross between a Chocolate Naga Brain and a Carolina Reaper, resulting in a pepper that embodies the deep brown color of chocolate varieties, the twisted surface of the Reaper, and the skull-pounding heat of both parent lines. The pod is characteristically rough, with a bulbous body and occasional stinger tail.
Seal's work often flies under the radar compared to more commercial breeders, but his hybrids have circulated widely in seed-sharing circles, small-batch seed companies, and YouTube grower communities. He is known for collaborating with other breeders, most notably Tom Kleinfeltner, who helped name the Beast line and promote it through pod reviews and seed giveaways.
Although Brian has not commercialized his own seed business, his contributions are frequently recognized in grow journals and forums, where the Beast line — including Chocolate, Red, and Peach variants — has been grown, tested, and further hybridized by others.
Notable Creations:
- Chocolate Beast (Chocolate Naga Brain × Carolina Reaper)
- Foundational work on other “Beast” phenotype hybrids
Legacy:
Brian Seal's Beast series exemplifies the creative and collaborative spirit of hobbyist pepper breeding. His work continues to evolve through other growers who build upon the intimidating heat, unique form, and dramatic coloration of his creations.
Sources / References
- YouTube – Pod reviews by Tom Kleinfeltner and Pepper Freaks
- The Hot Pepper Forum – Grow threads referencing Chocolate Beast lineage
- Pepper Lovers Facebook Group – Shared photos and seed trades of Seal’s hybrids
- White Hot Peppers and other seed sellers noting Beast-type hybrids
- Private breeder listings via PepperLover.com (early drops)