Shorts Black Cherry Porter

(750ml bottle, #213/792, thanks kmweaver) Black body topped by small brown head. Aroma is medium sweet, black cherry, chocolate, some smoke, light roast. Taste is medium sweet, black cherry, some chocolate, light cola. Medium body, some stickiness, low carbonation.

750mL bottle, #213/792, courtesy of hoppymeal. Thanks, Derek! Pours a very dark chocolate brown color; medium tan head with solid, fine-bubbled lacing. Lots of bitter baker’s chocolate, red grapes and dark fruit, cocoa and some nougat in the aroma; pleasant fruit-infused porter. Medium-to-full mouthfeel: average levels of carbonation; pleasant cherry and dark fruit character mingling with a solid porter core; roasted malts and chocolate and bitter dark cherry character; solid fruit presence, like most Shorts beers, it seems; well-balanced with a tasty chocolate core. Lengthy finish: dark chocolate, nougat and cocoa, and dark cherries.

750ml bottle acquired in trade with hoppymeal (thanks!). Bottle #219 / 792. Poured a dark black color with a smaller sized off white head. Aromas of black cherries, roast, chocolate, smoke and grape skins. Tastes of black cherries (more than the aromas), chocolate, roast, and vanilla. Chocolate covered cherries. Yet another winner from Shorts!

Originally reviewed January 5, 2008 (rated under the wrong entry). Poured from a 750ml Bottle # 7 of 792. Mysterious Imperial Beer Series #13, known as Imperial Black Cherry Porter. Very clean, soft light roast aroma glows from the glass. A subtle fruitiness punctuates the touches of chocolate, esters and brown sugar. Pours a rather dark mahogany with brilliant purple fringes. Head builds in weak brown leather, quite high. On the palate this beer is a masterpiece of delicate flavor and balance. There’s a wonderful mingling of soft, succulent cherry juice and crisp porter malts. Cereals, cherry juice and cream. Cherry mingles so well with the beer, gliding into the alcohols, yeast character and roast. The porter beneath is deft and delicate. Great stuff all around. A fantastic blend of fruit and beer. Thanks for sharing Sean!

Poured a murky dark brown / black color with a medium sized tan head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of chocolate, roasted malts, sweeter black cherry, vanilla, and light smoke. Taste of chocolate, smoke, roasted malts, with sweeter black cherry, vanilla, and a bit of tartness in the finish.