French Broad Rosebud Harvest Porter

I did not care for this one, had a bit of a licorice notes to it and that always puts me off, too much hop bitterness throws the malt balance way out into left field. A little too much carbonation as well. Had this dustiness of chocolate cocoa, that had been ran through a coffee pot. Good for one pint, but I would not want to drink it again.

The aroma was roasted chocolate and acidic malt with a roasty and lightly smoky nature. A low level of breadiness was apparent and a bit of sweetness lurked in the background. The beer arrived black with an off-white long lasting head which laced the chilled glass. The flavor was nice with chocolate and a dry acidic roasty flavor coupled to a light bit of smoke. No appreciable hop presence but enough bittering to bring the finish to dry. the body was medium with a somewhat creamy texture on the palate. A nice porter, smoky and roasty, but a bit low on hops. Pint at Barleys in September 2007.

tap at barley’s in asheville.....a dark brown with a thin off-white head.....aroma of light roast and chocolate....flavors of roasted and smoky chocolate malt. body was somewhat thin and the flavor was not very long lasting......good to try once.

Tap at Bean and Barrel. Pour is dark allows some light through and appears ruby as a result. The head is creamy and tan. The aroma is sweet, grainy, a little caramel, and nutty. The flavor is sweet, earthy, caramel, a mild hop bite and waxy mouthfeel, grainy, carbonated. Easy to drink but not hugely impressive.

Draft at Barley’s Taproom in Asheville, NC. Poured a dark brown color with orange highlights. Head was thin and off white. There was only scant lace left behind on the glass at the end. Aroma was of chocolate, and more specifically reminded me of cocoa powder. There was also a whiff of cola. Dry on the tongue with a detracting cardboardy note. There was also some cocoa powder and some roasty malt accented by a mild bitterness. Eh.