Middle Ages 12th Anniversary Imperial Porter

Brewed by Middle Ages Brewing
Style: Imperial/Strong Porter
Syracuse, New York USA

Draft at HDG. Some chalkiness to go along with a cheap bittersweet chocolate flavor. Medium bodied with a somewhat sour cherry flavor.

on-tap in a tulip snifter at Hop Devil Grill’s "Daze of the Devil" festival, 1/19/08 A: As served, this beer is a roasty dark brown. Light does not go where this beer’s soul lies! A nice ample 2-finger beige head weighs in, and slowly dissipates over time, leaving a moderate amount of nice, sticky lacing. S: I was a bit taken back by how richly chocolate this beer smelt; I expected the almost burnt roasted aromas, but not the chocolate! A nice oaked character present as well. T/M: Big alcohol bite up front, quickly warms and gives way that roasted cocoa flavoring and a syrupy cherry-like finish. Alcohol remains present, but tight carbonation and smooth, velvety feel help make this an easy-drinker. D: Very easy to drink, especially after one’s palate adjusts to the slight booziness. 9% though, so not a session beer. Quite good, seek this one out.

On tap a nearly every establishment in Armory Square. Dark Brown/Black body, nutty caramel arouma. As have been the Middle Ages X & XI a fantastic offering from the brewery.

Cask: black pour, tan head with some lacing and retention. Aroma is chocolate, coffee, some fruity and hop notes. Flavor is smooth, rich chocolates, finally their yeast works well with a beer. Quite enjoyable.

Tap at Ginger Man. Black beer with a thick dark brown head. Aroma shows a bit of soft leather, heavy blackberry fruitiness and a soft sweet dried fruitiness as well. Some raisin and licorice. Heavy roast on the back. Sweet throughout with a rich sticky palate. A bit fruitier than I’d like, but it’s pretty damn tasty.

Draft: Pretty black, little to no head. Smooth roasted chocolate flavor, coffee, nice body. Gets real nice as it warms. Killer porter.

On tap at Blue Tusk in Syracuse. Pours a dark almost black but has some reddish glowing highlights and a frothy tight beige head. Aroma is light fruity esters like raisin, goood chocolate and nutty nitns, and some licorice root. Sweet caramel and nutty toasted malts, chocolate, hints of roast, a bit of tar and oily licorice. Smooth big body and mouthfeel. Easy drinking for 9%.

On tap at Mahars (albany, ny). Dark thick pour. Very little head. Rich coffee and roasted malt smell. Immediate taste of the roasted hops and a hint of cocoa coffee. Very smooth and a very good imperial porter