Captain Lawrence Smoked Porter

served from a 64oz. growler into pint glasses, purchased today at the brewery A: Lovely deep brown, reminds me of root beer. Aggressive pour yielded a nice 2-finger tan head that leaves very little lacing. Quickly goes away leaving a slight swirling effect as you drink. S: Smells strongly of cola and roasted coffee, not much in the way of hops comes through. Very appealing. T/M: Yum! A very creamy texture, softly carbonated, allows the ample roasted flavors of bready, buttery goodness. A healthy dose of sweet cookie dough in the middle balances things out, and ample bitterness from the coffee flavors finishes things out. Superb! D: This could easily be an all-day drinking beer, perfectly balanced, it beckons you to have another glass. If you find yourself anywhere near Capt. Lawrence’s facility, make sure to stop by and sample this!

Draft at Blind Tiger Alehouse (late June ’07 from notes). Opaque black with lasting tan ring. Smoke and roasted chocolate aroma. Bittersweet chocolate, raisiny, and smoke flavors. Slight tartness in finish. Medium-full body. Yum. re-rate on tap at the brewery 6/6/08. Excellent. Black with lasting light brown head. Rich chocolate smokiness in aroma. Pronounced wood smoke in flavor with roasted chocolate and medium bitterness. Bravo.

Nearly black ruby. Nose is cocoa, roasted marshmallow, some dusty fruit. Flavor is dry cocoa, more marshmallow, a hint of toffee/caramel. Cocoa & slight coffee in the finish. A wonderful porter.

tap at dba. Dark brown/black beer, thick light brown head, sticky and lingering. Aroma is of dark malts, coffee and a bit of beech wood smoke as well. Roasty/charry aroma, some salty licorice aroma. Flavour is very charry/chewy. Dark licorice, salt, heavy roastiness and smokiness, but the smoke lies behind all of the the other roasty malt notes. Sweet and chewy with some light leathery notes as well. Dark bitter chocolate with a long dryish roasty finish. More stout than porter, but either way it a tasty pint.

I have had the smoked porter many times. At the brewery and at random events and bars on tap. I don’t mind that the levels of smoke vary from time to time. It may scream inconsistency but to me its not. Its also mood and what I have before and after and during (food) that changes my perceptions of the leverl of smoke in this one in particular. What I mean by this is the flavor is so balanced and it is such a smooth easy drinking porter that I enjoy it any time. Overall the aroma and taste has a nice moderate smoked malt essence with a nice hint of mild bitter hops, very well utilizes. A little warming and comforting, I enjoy it every time.