Smuttynose Baltic Porter

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

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.

Bottle (22oz). Pours pitch black with a large frothy diminishing light-brown head -- looks pretty much as good as a Porter can. Aroma: Oh wow that smells good! Roasted malt, lots of herbal hops, notes of coffee & chocolate, molasses, a hint of smoke and dark fruit -- very nice! Flavour of rich roasted malt, slightly sweet, again lots of herbal hops, some coffee, some earthiness & smoke, molasses and dark fruit. Nice roasty bitter finish. Alcohol’s well hidden, it’s pretty much not noticeable. Oily mouthfeel, medium bodied. I thought this would be good but I didn’t think it would be this good, this is a fantastic Porter, in fact it’s one of the best I’ve ever had. Well done!

22oz Bottle, purchased at Wakefield Liquors - Wakefield, RI. Dense, oily chocolate brown pour, with a tall finger of cocoa-powder colored fluffy head. Aroma is heavy on the roast, twangy and full of charred bread crusts and almond powder. Chocolately and expressive. Flavor is intense and rich roast-forward stout. Brown sugar, umami, nutella, toffee, and a brisk bit of hopwork. This is quite good. A really nice, deep complex malt base with a nice clean snap, well integrate alcohols, and decent drinkability for a big beer. Pilsner malt character is quality and adds to the beer. This is a fantastic version of the style.

Aroma is strong, malty, slightly smoky and chocolaty with a hint of yeast and quite appetizing. It pours an opaque dark chocolate brown, just about sable, with a very thick, if not too persistent, tan head. Flavor is chocolaty and a little sweet with an undertone of roast coffee. Texture is thick, oily and strongly tingly so it practically dances down the pipes. Recommended!

Pours black into a Stem glass. Mocha head with good retention leaves sheet lacing as it recedes to skim surface. Roasted pit fruit aromas. Creamy upfront with a fizzy, lasting bitter chocolate and alcohol finish.