Ithaca Gorges Smoked Porter

Date: 02/10/2007
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewfest, Extreme Beer

clear dark brown, wispy off white head, smokey bacon aroma with light chocolate, rich chocolate flavor followed by a great smoke character but stays in balance,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 14/20
Rating: 3.4/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: ***/4

Pours a dark brown, nearly opaque with huge tufts of off-white head. Aroma has some nice smoke and mild vinous character. Starts with a nice maltiness, pleasant smokiness and a semi-dry, bittersweet finish. Nicely balanced and easy drining, a good smoked porter.

Draft pint at Zeno’s is deep brown with red light at the bottom and a medium to dark brown nitro-like head. Soft and chewy roasted malt and chocolate flavor, weak malt body overall, with a medium to light depth of flavor. Basically not as complex as it really should be, and the smoke character is very weak. To be fair it really doesn’t taste bad at all, but it just lacks depth and complexity. Very mild smoke, more of a char and roasted chocolate malt than actual smoked malt. Sweetened dark fruits in a long lasting finish. Fairly nice.

Bottle from Rich and served in my Ratebeer Tulip: <P> Poured a cola like brown hue with a fading head and okay lace. The aroma has notes of smoked wood, caramel and mocha, maple sugar, apple, and peat esters. The taste has a nice smoked balance with sweet malt background. Undertones of coffee, mocha, and hazelnut make a minor showing. The bad news is there is a bit of sourness around the palate making me think the beer is starting to turn. That sourness also gave an unwanted mouthfeel finish. I think in prime condition, this beer would be a solid offering.

Poured a deep ruby brown color with a huge tan head. Aroma of soft smoke and creamy chocolate. Chocolatey, roasty flavors with notes of smoked meat and a dry finish.