Stone Brewing Company- Smoked Porter: A Trip To The Dark Side
Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 10:07PM | by Jason 
When peering into the fridge this evening I decided that I wanted to go a different route. I’ve drunk and reviewed a lot of IPA, APA and other varieties of your lighter ales. This evening I decided I would appeal to my darker side. It’s been a while since I’ve had something dark and I had the perfect beer to quench my dark side thirst. Lucky for me, tucked back in the corner of the fridge stood a Stone Brewing Company Smoked Porter. Previously I have had the Smoked Porter w/Vanilla Bean on draft but I have yet to try a straight up Smoked Porter, and I can say that I am definitely looking forward to it.
Stone Brewing Company classifies this brew as a Smoked Porter and their website describes Smoked Porter as, "So you think you don’t like dark beer? Prepare to believe. This is no ordinary porter. And if you are already among the enlightened who appreciate a fine ebony-hued ale, we think you will find Stone Smoked Porter to be a poignant addition to your repertoire. This beer pours a gorgeous deep mahogany crowned by a creamy head. Dark, smooth, and complex, with rich chocolate and coffee flavors balanced by a subtle smokiness, this brew is equally delicious with meats or fine chocolate."
Smoked Porter pours a dark chocolate brown color with a 1” latte’ colored head and smells of chocolate & roasted malts as well as hints of coffee and hops and is 5.9% ABV. A caramel aroma makes an appearance during the last half of the glass.
You might not know it but I love porters. Typically I reserve my porter drinking for the cooler/colder months of the year but tonight was an exception. Smoked Porter is one of the better porters I have had and is in-line with the excellent brews coming out of Stone Brewing Company. It has a brilliantly smooth and complex flavor that is balanced, starting with a malt sweetness and ending with hop bitterness that is dry and crisp. The roasted malt/smoke flavor doesn’t dominate the flavor but enhances the porter and takes it to another level. My only bone to pick with the Smoked Porter is that is seems a bit too carbonated but maybe it’s just a personal preference. This is a really good porter and is a great choice for when your dark side is in need of attention.
ABV: 5.9%
Consumed: Nonic Pint Glass
Verdict: Buy A Twelve Pack
