Smuttynose Baltic Porter

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

A big fan of Smuttynose and was surprised to see a beer of theirs in the store I hadn’t had. Nice label design. Dark coffee smell. When I tipped the bottle, the darkest night slipped down and thickly filled my glass. Black. I lifted the glass to the light, but, like a hefty patch of dark matter, none got through. A brown slick comprised of the tiniest of bubbles coated the surface. Upon first gulp, the fizziness introduced itself and managed to sneak in its flavorful malty, molasses-y, earthy friends. A few moments later, a warming feeling accompanied by a mild chalky mouth feel sauntered up and hung out for a while. Good stuff. I feel lucky to have such an amazing brewery nearby.

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.

22oz bottle obtained at McKinnon’s in Salem, NH. Pours an opaque black body with a good half inch or so of light tan head. Chocolate, black licorice, with some banana, nut and bubblegum notes comprise the aroma. Black licorice with some banana, nut, and bubblegum notes hit the palate initially, with strong dark chocolate and coffee hitting later toward the finish, bits of vanilla throughout. On the heavier side of medium-bodied with ample carbonation to clear the palate, but not too much. One sip definitely invites another, with the complexity and medium body. Possibly the best example of the style I’ve found thus far, and leaps and bounds better than Smuttynose RIS. Good stuff!

Bottle. Pours a black abyss with a tan creamy head. Very creamy full body that’s dam near perfect. Chocolate, roast y malt character, chewy raisins, and a vanilla mineral body. Very smooth and well attenuated. Awesome, Awesome, Awesome.

22. Thanks, Riverside! Jet black. Thin, moussy tan head. Big roasty, chocolatey, pruney nose with tons of coffee. Medium body, firm carb, very clean and drinkable. Chocolate, roast, fresh ripe pie cherries, and prunes on the mid-palate, along with a shit-ton of coffee. Long coffee finish.