Smuttynose Baltic Porter

Brewed by Smuttynose Brewing Company
Style: Baltic Porter
Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA

Wow, this was one hell of a brew. In my memory this serves as the definitive example of a perfect head, color, and lacing in a beer. A rich dark brown head I don’t see very often. Aroma is of intense chocolate and coffee. The flavor also tastes of these two wonderful dark roasts along with additional maltiness and sweetness. I will have it again, and the rating may even get bumped up (Flavor 10/10???)

Source:22 oz bottle shared at a tasting in Nashville.
Glass:Snifter.
Appearance:Dark brown pour with a one finger brown head.
Aroma:Roasted and burned malts dominate the nose, with a hint of chocolate.
Flavor:Roasted malt base with chocolate and coffee. Warming alcohol finish.
Palate:Full body with soft carbonation.
Overall:This is the best Baltic Porter I’ve ever had. Absolutely amazing.

650 ml, early 2008 vintage. Opaque with a quarter inch of sticky, lasting head. Nose is molasses, chocolate, raisin and coffee. Flavor is chocolate, caramel, espresso, raisins, split and dried hickory. Some hickory, oak, whiskey, vanilla and anise in the aftertaste. Medium-heavy body is balanced well between the syrupy and the dry, but a little too bubbly. Excellent beer.

2008 bomber from pforei. thanks paul!

a viscous pour leads to an opaque nearly black shade of brown. it’s topped by a foam like marshmallow-y cocoa colored head that paints the glass as it retreats. aroma is faintly of coffee with a bunch of chocolate, black raisins and some ashy char. the palate is not even in the realm of sweet as far as baltics go... huge bonus. the flavor is rather port/ juicy red wine like with more black raisins and chocolate along with wood, roasty grain and a dry bittered finish. coffee pops up in the aftertaste. this leans on full bodied. very creamy texture and chewy mouth feel. simplistic and well crafted...

my bobmer from a trade with cletus. shared with jessem and tupalev, others were there as well. pours black with a tan head. nice roasted malt aroma, coffee, and chocolate. flavours are similar with more caramel then the aroma. easy to drink for its weight and a jem of a porter overall.

Pours motor oil black with large tan head that dissapates into a veneer. Nose of roasted barley, bitter chocolate, coffee, raisin, and hops. Upon first sip, I realized that this is one of the smoothest porters I’ve ever tasted. Oily and thick, caressing the tounge and mouth. Chewy and full bodied- this beer has so much character. Chocolate, deep roasted barley, and hops all fuse together in the perfect balance to create a true masterpiece.

Pours black with thick brown head which quickly dissipates. Minimal lacing. Aroma is full of raisins and chocolate. A slight bit of hops are detectable and a bit of port. Flavor is of chocolate and fruit. Plenty of coffee as well. Full bodied to say the least. As it warms it mellows. The alcohol seems to dissipate (or maybe I’m just drunker), and the fruitier notes come forth. Plenty happening in this one. Great beer.

So solid. Had this guy on tap at Rattle and Hum during Craft Beer Week. Pours pitch dark with a soft off-white head. Smells of roasted malts and coffee. Taste: delicious, rich, sweet yet somewhat bitter. Quite smooth and full.