Port Brewing Older Viscosity

Brewed by Port Brewing/Lost Abbey
Style: American Strong Ale
San Marcos, California USA

I am glad I have finally tasted this beer. On tap at Kellehers, Peoria. Black pour, like motor oil with a thin head. Aroma of vanilla, bourbon, coffee. Taste was smooth. Vanilla, bourbon, coffee. Nicely balanced. It lefta great taste in my mouth. A beer to enjoy. I didn’t really taste the alcohol which suprised me due to the content. The aroma hung in the glass after the drink was done. I wished I had a dd so I could of had more.

Sampled on draft at Capone’s on 11/28/2009. Pours pitch black and completely opaque. Looks like thick motor oil but is completely still without any bubbles or carbonation which is strange since this was on draft. Dark roasted malt aroma with hints of bitter sweet dark chocolate, subtle coffee and a dominant bourbon presence. Hints of dark fruit and sweet alcohol. Slightly vinous. Soft carbonation up front followed by slightly chewy medium roasted malt body. Lots of sweet bitter dark chocolate, toffee, subtle coffee and hints of dark fruit, especially grape, prune, raisin, plum and fig. Slightly vinous with sweet alcohol notes and a strong bourbon presence that lasts throughout. Subtle earthy oak tannis with a good bit of vanilla that helps cut down the bourbon heat but the flavor is pretty much dominated by the prominent bourbon character. Sweet and surprisingly not too hot at 12%. ABV decently masked but the bourbon presence gives it a lot of liquor taste. Overall pretty drinkable.

On tap at Capone’s. Black with a lasting beige head. This "beer" just screams bourbon. The nose is dominated by it with just glimpses of oak, vanilla, and chocolate peeking through. Bourbon is the major player in the flavor department as well, just a bit of vanilla and cocoa come through and they may have come from the bourbon. Body is medium-thin. Not at all impressed with the flavor but have to hand it to them for making this as smooth as it is. Would never have guessed that it is 12% abv.

On draft at Capones. Pours a clear dark brown colour with a slight beige head. Interesting aroma of maple syrup, dark fruits, oak and vanilla. Flavour is the same as the aroma. Has the flavour of maple cough syrup. I understand this is highly rated but I did not enjoy it.

2009 bottle. no pop when uncorked, this pours completely flat. it’s brown-black and fairly thick. aroma is of charcoal, bourbon, malt, chocolate milk, coffee, figs, roasted nuts, and smoke. flavor is sweeter, more chocolate milk, with a harsh alcohol front, biting middle and long bittersweet chocolate liquor finish. the harsh coal elements persist throughout (should have aged it?), and this isn’t really beer, but it’s interesting. not sure how to rate something that looks, smells, and tastes like liquid charcoal. also, body was disappointingly thin given the description of "sludge", but had a rich velvety smoothness.

Bottle 375ml. @ DØE Tasting, Fox & Hounds, Holstebro.
Clear dark brown color with a average to large, creamy to frothy, good lacing, fully lasting, light light brown head. Aroma is roasted, chocolate, coffee, light burnt, cocus, red wine - bourbon, wood - vanilla, driied fruit. Flavor is heavy sweet, light light red wine acidic and heavy bitter with a long duration. Body is medium to full, texture is creamy, carbonation is soft, finish feel is light moderate alcoholic - bourbon. [20090929]

At Brouwer’s Cafe in Seattle as a special treat from @trevor211 at my US homecoming. The pour is beautiful with a nicely subtle head. Nose is very boozy, and bourbon, wood and smoky chocolate. Tastes exactly like bourbon was poured on top! Leathery and full taste, but the body is remarkably light. flavor is there but the whole package is a bit under wrought. Not my fave but impressive, up there with the big bourbony stouts buts not complete.

My Bottom Line:
Vanilla-like bourbon notes add depth to this strong ale’s molasses-bearing malts, as surreptitious miso notes brush roasted and chocolatey flavors. This is one serious creation.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A ring of foam surrounds the darkness.
-The body is marvelously rich yet never tiresome. Gum-lickin’ good!
-Alcohol heat is emboldened by the barrel flavors.
-Carbonation is rather low, which works with the wealthy but calculated dextrins.

Bottle.