J. Allyn's Robust Porter
Ham's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Poured from a fresh growler into an Imperial pint willi glass, J. Allyn's is a dark and hazy burnt chestnut color with muddy ruby highlights and a fine layer of pale beige foam atop. The cap of foam recedes to a bubbly ring that deposits patchy lacing on the glass.

The smell is roasty and chocolatey with loads of sweet toasted caramel, cola nuts, a drizzle of molasses, and a mildly bitter, coffee-like bite.

The taste is dark-chocolatey caramels, dusted with powdered cocoa and fine coffee bitterness. A rich malty oooze of a milk chocolate egg creme creeps around underneath, and is lightly seasoned with mild tea-like hops that contribute a little spice and a bit of earthiness. Instant coffee cut with more powdered cocoa dries the aftertaste. Mocha-like as the drink warms.

The drink is on the light side of medium-bodied, likely victim of the nitro draught system it was poured from, so I'm not going to hold that against the brew. A superbly quaffable robust porter I'd enjoy much more without the interference and body washout attributable to the bastard Nitrogen.