Carlyle Holy Smoking Barrel

Brewed by Carlyle Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Strong Porter
Rockford, Illinois USA

Arrived from tap with a small, filmy head atop a dark burnt caramel colored beer. Aroma has some sweet chocolate malt notes, caramel candy sweetness, light rye, light smoke, some light whiskey notes and a faint licorice end note. Flavor is VERY sweet overall with notes of plum/prune fruitiness, some mild burnt wood smokey flavors, a light rye bite and a very sweet caramel candy flavor at the end. Alcohol does hit the palate at the very end of the tasting but overall it is well hidden. Beer is very sticky, syrup-like stickiness on the hands, lips, glass and table when drinking. Served in a goblet slightly warmed, very dense mouth feel, moderately carbed with small fine bubbles and very low lacing produced on the glass. Overall a great brew with a lot of depth and probably one of their heaviest palate beers.