Alaskan Smoked Porter

Brewed by Alaskan Brewing Co
Style: Smoked
Juneau, Alaska USA

2005. Looks like one hell of a porter. Dark dark brown to black with a thin densish tan head. The nose is big and bold. An almost roasty coffee note comes straight out. However, it appears to be coming with a sticky sweet salty smoke aspect coming out of the bacon delirious smoky aspect. A small amount of chocolate malt and some decent caramel malt sweetness. Rather smooth, along the lies of smoked salmon, richness included. Small piney aspect. This is actually a bit thin in the mouth, with low carbonation. but upon reflection, isn’t that kind of what a a porter should be. I mean, when I drink it, I see the sweetness is bigger than your average porter, but that can be separated from the mouthfeel being a bit low, like a porter. If you think not, then this beer isn’t as good. The big smokey bacon is tinkered with by a bit of caramel sweetness and some smal coffee. Almost leaves a acidic almost cola sort of finish. Very nice balance. Great complexity. Very tannic bitter finish. Roasty coffee bitterness with a bit of good fruit acidity like a very nice coffee. Even though there’s a little alcohol and diacetyl than comes through, I feel like it is jsut deliverying a wider array of flavors to my taste buds. This beer is fucking off the hook. As it warms I notice some apple aspected up front AND in the finish. This beer is so fucking complex it isn’t funny. It is a flavor assault, there is so much going on. Nevermind the fact that this smells great, and is complex. I think the only failing is the body isn’t fuller, but to be hones, I think the smoke travels best on the lightness. If this were thicker, it would make this more like a bit of tar in the mouth. The level of concetration of these flavor aspects would be too high. Oh my how I’d love more of this here beer! I may have to put in an order online!!!! Now I think I’m going to crack out that 5 year aged gouda for pairing with this bad boy, Thanksgiving fullness, be damned! A nice finish to a decent enough day.

Bottle - 2004. Pours a nice black color with a nice tan head. Aroma is smoke, dark roasted malts, and chocolate. Flavor is full of smoke but not overwhelming by any means. My initial thought of the beer after tasting it is that it would go very well with smoked fish. Flavors of chocolate, wood, and coffee. An incredible beer.

2007. Black, nice tan head, good lacing. Aroma of burnt coffee. Smoke came out in flavor w/ some coffee. Full bodied. I’m not a big fan of most smoky beers but this one was good.

650 ml bottle from Bevmo. 2007 vintage. Pours an opaque black color with a tan sudsy head that leaves some lacing. The aroma is strong and smoky with mesquite roasted meats. The flavor features more smokiness, malts, chocolate and some dry biter hops. The mouthfeel is full and creamy. The finish showcases more lingering smoke and a touch of biter walnuts. Overall: a quite enjoyable and drinkable smoked porter. Recommended

draft. didnt really know what to expect before trying this brew. was shocked at how smokey it was but after the first few sips my palate got more used to the flavor. i was looking for a bit more body, sweetness and maybe a higher ABV. not my favorite but a good example of a smokey beer.

Bottle. Moderate malt notes of dark bread and roasted, light pine for the hops, and earth for the yeast, with wood, smoke, maple syrup and dark dried fruits in the background. Head is small, bubbly, light brown and is fully diminishing with no lacing. Color is a sparkling black. Flavor starts lightly sweet and acidic and the long finish is moderately acidic and lightly bitter. Palate is medium, watery yet a touch syrupy and has a fizzy carbonation. This was much better as it warms. Very unique, I liked it a lot. A good choice for a winter night indoors by a fire.

2007 bottle had at Logan’s Oceanside beer tasting with AlohaC, and Hair, and Matt, and Ken, and Bill, and others. Have a 2006 bottle at home, and have been eager to try this, because of the numerous awards it receives. Very, very smokey aroma. A bit of acidity. Leans dry. Pitch black color small bubble head. Not my favorite style.

10/24/07 From 2007 bottle. Aroma is rauche-like smoked malt forward followed by a slight saltiness. The smoke is a bit overpowering of the porter character. Appearace is dark brown with a low light tan head. Flavor is a rich smoke/roast blend that is well balanced. Simple, with no hop character, but quite good. Mouthfeel is medium/high bodied with a medium carb feel and light creaminess. Overall, this is very good, but needs better aroma balance; fortunately the flavor preserves a lot of porter character. 9/23/08 From 2001 22oz bottle. Aroma is dark fruit with smoke forward and a light alcohol background. Appearance is dark brown with a low tan head. Flavor is rich and full of roast and a low sour fruit finish. Mouthfeel is full bodied, not creamy, with an almost crisp carb texture. Overall, not better than the 2007 release, just different and softer.