Pioneer Porter
Cashmere Brewing Company

Pint purchased at Beneditto's in Spokane for $4. First time I'd seen it, but other Cashmere beers have been showing up with increasing frequency in Spokane.

Poured an inky black color, with a small tan head. This was due to the pour rather than the beer itself. Very little, spotty lace.

Roasty in the nose, which is how a porter should smell, in my opinion. There was also a sweet, chocolaty odor that, while not shy, was taking a backseat to the roasty, coffee-ish notes. Nary a whiff of hop aroma, which is fine by me. I've always felt that hops in porters should be vaguely sensed but not consciously apparent.

The roasty, coffeeish characteristics noted in the aroma immediately jumps out at the tastebuds, but it's almost immediately wed to a chocolaty flavor that, while sweet, is not cloying. It's also a little lower in amplitude than the former taste, but it's a good mixture. There's a faint dryness at the swallow.

Medium bodied, with a somewhat coating mouthfeel.

A tasty, sessionable porter. This gives Black Butte a rune for it's money. I would drink this again in a heartbeat.