Back Road Autumn Ale 2005 (Baltic Porter)

Formerly brewed at Back Road Brewery
Style: Baltic Porter
LaPorte, Indiana USA

A very dark brown beer with a fast disappearing light brown head. The aroma is sweet and dominated by chocolate. The flavor is sweet chocolaty leading to a dry woody end. The alcohol burns lightly in the throat.

(Bottle 35,5 cl) A black beer with an orangey hue and a light brown head. Delicate, vinous port like nose with plenty of dried fruit. Medium-bodied - a bit too carbonated - with lots of hard roasted malt and some accents of dried fruit. Dry, light bitter finish. 290806

Very dark brown colour. Smokey, molassesy aroma is rich with malts and dark fruits. Chewy, soft body has quite a bit of molasses, raisin, plum, burnt fruit flavours. Sweet but with just enough hop and alcohol dryness. Smokey, alcoholic finish. Given how little North American brewers undestand this style, it’s good to see such a flavourful and authentic example brewed over here.

(12oz bottle) Minimal beige head atop a brown-black body. Aroma is medium sweet, smoked meat, coffee, raisin, caramel. Taste is medium sweet, smoked meat, caramel, molasses, some coffee, lactose, roasty, light raisin. Medium body that hides the alcohol quite well. Low carbonation. Thanks to BBB63 for bringing some extra bottles to Denver.

Generous beige head, fully lacing, covers the deep brown and not quite opaque body. High alcohol and fruits make for most of the aroma which is thus solvanty while juicy (cherries, synthetic cookies). In mouth, the high alcohols are even more dominant, bringing plasticy extremes and a yeasty dominance. Low roastiness and sticky rubbery finish also detracts from the enjoyment. Flawed.

Sampled at the Milwaukee YEHa!05 courtesy of BBB63: Nearly opaque dark brown pour has a thin-lacing light tan head. Complex sweet cherry and dark fruit aroma has a lightly roasted milk chocolate balance. Starts with light fruit and dark toffee malty sweetness turning more dry, roasty and bittersweet toward the smooth drinkable finish. A very nice brew. Sad to see this is a one-time thing.

Bottle... A&K’s4thAHBT... This beer rocks!... Pitch black ale with a mid-sized, creamy, khaki head. Vanilla, chestnuts, hazelnuts, butterscotch, cocoa and tobacco are all present and accounted for in the aroma. Rich, roasted flavor with plenty of caramel and chocolate... maybe a touch too thin for the style. Medium to full-bodied with a lightly creamy mouthfeel and soft carbonation. Finishes chocolatey and a bit dry. World class brew!... and, btw, bucknaked rocks!

Bottled. Dark brown coloured. Fruity, malty, roasty, nice. Well balanced and soft. Faint smoky notes. Slightly dry finish.