Okells Aile

Brewed by Okells
Style: Porter
Douglas, Isle of Man

Bottle, as Coal Fire Porter. A nice-looking beer, clear, dark brown body, and with a lasting, dense tan head. Quite sweetish on the nose, with some burnt malt, coffee and a little chocolate. A bit weak though. The flavor is much the same, but quite dry, yet there’s a sweet touch, and of course the burnt malt, coffee and notes of chocolate. Not much fruityness going on. Some hoppy bitterness though. A good dash of coffee-like bitterness too. Quite thin on the palate, but considering it’s 4.6% ABV, it is expected. As the beer warms up, some licorice occur in both aroma and flavor. Nice. The finish is a bit fruity, quite sweet, and with the same flavors found initially. Sure easy to drink, and quite enjoyable. (080510)

Bottle 500ml, from Waitrose, Christchurch. Labelled Branded Coal Fire Porter. Pours a dark brown/going on black, with a medium brown head. Sweet malty aroma. Strong flavour of brewers yeast, followed with dark roasts and a certain smokiness. Thinner than some porters, which made it reasonably refreshing rather than warming. Nevertheless, still a good brew.

500ml bottle as Branded Drinks Coal Fire Porter (bb. Oct.08). Dense, brownish head resting on a devil-black body. Pruney fruitiness to the nose with hints of dark malts. Quite multi-flavoured with smoked malts, liquorice, wood and bitter fruity notes towards the end. Approved as a winter warmer on a Friday eve up north (07.03.2008).

Bottled at Beefeater Inn, Gothenburg. Pitch black with a medium, beige head. Loads of salty licorice and peat in the aroma. Dito in the flavour but also some tar and dark toffee.

Cask at ’Spoons, Milton Keynes. Very dark brown with a beige head. Faint earthy aroma but a delicious sweet ashy taste with some cocoa and with a late and lasting bitterness. No, not very complex, but just right for a particular moment on a Friday night.

500ml Bottle This is one of the best beers I have tasted. An Aroma from Heaven I usually poor it from the bottle an hour before I drink it so that i can go smell it while making dinner. And while standing in the room it gets the perfect temperature. Takes about an hour to drink sometimes more. Really enjoys this one...hard to get in sweden though but Wickedwine can help you to import it.

Cask at The National Winter Ales Festival, Manchester 2008, thanks to Mes for this one Poured dark brown with a nose of smoked malts, there was a smokiness to this but having had more than a couple of the Scherlenka Urbocks this was beaten into submission. This was still a pretty decent beer with coffee in the mouth and some bitter chocolate, these flavours lingered but again I just kept dreamily thinking of Urbock which was another beer that Mes had pointed out to me.

500ml bottle purchased in London. Deep black color. Smooth and creamy, with a mild smoky taste. Deliciously soft on the tongue, a completely subtle treasure. Minimal hopping and the low alcohol gives it a watery drinkability. This is a great Porter.