Alaskan Smoked Porter

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

I got a few of these on trade and i have only one thing to say for this beer and that’s "what a beer" nice head,malty,smoky in aroma and flavor finish had a malty lite smoke aftertaste nothing better,for those cold night’s when the t.v. is boring

2001 Vintage, 6.1% ABV Reviewed November 6, 2002 - Had the 2000 vintage while on vacation at the brewery in Juneau and absolutely fell in love with it. - Dropped the cash to ship some to me from a distributor in Oregon (edit:Belmont Station) for the 2001 vintage and it fails to disappoint. - A rich deep dark color, virtually opaque. A head that just lingers above the robust brew like a flower petal fallen on a pond. The smokiness is one of autumn leaves, campfire stories, smoking the fresh catch over a fire. Some smoked beers leave an aftertaste of unpleasant smoke....not this one by any stretch. Do I detect coffee flavor as well? - Definitely a beer to be enjoyed for that special occasion. When you really want to make a memory and enjoy the moment, pour a glass of pure Alaska. --- 2002 Vintage, 6.2% ABV Reviewed October 29, 2003. Received from Liquid Solutions in Oregon. A jet black opaque color with a creamy cappuccino head that whittled away to a wispy film like early-morning fog on a lake. Campfire aroma. A backyard smoker with links of homemade sausages absorbing the scent. Not a roaring smoke but a smoldering hint. Plenty of roasted malt, some chocolate tones, and coffee too. An aftertaste of pure fire-roasted meats. A crisp finish with just enough hops to wipe away the malt and leave you in a smoky trance. Absolutely divine. My favorite beer. --- 2003 Vintage, 6.5% ABV Reviewed November 23, 2003. Received from Liquid Solutions in Oregon. Not much more needs to be said. Follows along the lines of the previous years I've reviewed. This however was my first "fresh" bottle, and I can say that it appears to be a little on the "raw" side. An edge to it. The smokiness hasn't quite settled down and the alderwood is a little overwhelming. A higher "smoked meat" character than in aged bottles. I can't wait to wait a year and taste it after some aging. Still....I love this beer. Fantastic!

This is one of the finest beers ever made. Can’t think of much of anything wrong with it. Excellent balance of malt and smoke. I’ve never aged mine because it never lasts that long, but this is one beer you could probably lay down for awhile. MMMM.

2005 sample. Pours a dark brown with a tan dissipating head. Smells smoky with chocolate, pepper and tea in the background. Tastes of chocolate, smoke, pepper, some slight tanginess. Mouthfeel is full and begging for more. Finish is slightly peppery with chocolate that lingers. Surprising for a 6.5% beer. Having also tried the 2004 and 2006 versions at several intervals, this beer has proven itself to be a true world classic.

This is the proto-type Smoked Porter. If you are looking for what a Smoked Porter should taste like, look no furthur. I have not had the patience to let mine age beyond the current vintage in the stores. My thoughts are the Smoked Porters in general are an underatted delicious style that should only gain in popularity. The alder smoked malt is incredible. The balance on this beer between the smoke accent and porter base style is magic. This is a beer that goes well with food and would be a fine completement to a salmon dish.

One word: keep it in your basement. You won’t want to. But you will be glad you did. Deep, smoky, mellow. Not overly smoky. Incredibly rich. Good now--Gets outrageously good with time...

Alaskan Smoked Porter 22 oz bomber Moderate pour in a stein. 2006 version, consumed 06/07 Poured black with some faint brown highlight with a large frothy somewhat lasting head with fair lacing. Smelt of strong smoke with moderate chocolate, coffee, burnt grain, It is also reminescent of smoked salmon in a way... Maybe just a brain associatioin, Alaska, salmon, smoked, but it is oddly mineral. Taste was upfront perfectly balanced strong smoke wit hmoderate chocolatey bitter sweet touches followed by a more pronounced moderate roasted malt bitterness and some cocoa and faint sour and sweet dried dark fruit. Palate was medium bodied, softly carbonated, creamy and velvety and lightly astringent. Overall, smoked porters are my favorite style so the points are skewed a bit, but I think I have found the paragon of the style. There is definately a mineral edge to it, and that puts it over the top. I need more of this or I need to move to Alaska. Much thanks to mreusch for the trade!