Smoked Porter - Roasted Chestnuts
Stone Brewing

Draft at Liberty Station.

Pitch black and opaque without even the slightest trace of lighter color when held to a light source. Two finger frothy beige head that very slowly settles into a thick, lasting ring. Excellent retention slowly settling and coating the glass with streaks of soapy lacing.

Smokey and robust roasted dark malt aroma with heavy Rauchbier characteristics mixed with sweeter dark malt notes. Subtle earthy, resinous hops with grass and pine needle followed by liquid smoke, charcoal, barbecued meat and campfire. Roasted coffee bean, oatmeal and bitter dark chocolate followed by caramel, toffee and silky desert-like chocolate. Subtle nuttiness but not sure if that isn't from the regular malt bill. Couldn't pick up the chestnuts without knowing they were in there. Still, it smells really good.

Fuller end of medium body with a nice smoky malt presence that lingers over the roast and silkier dessert-like sweet malt notes into a bone dry finish. Subtle earthy hops with pine and grassy resins followed by liquid smoke, charcoal, butane and smoked meats. Underneath, there is some roast with coffee bean, toast, oatmeal and bittersweet dark chocolate countered by lighter chocolate, caramel, slight dark fruit and lactose sweetness. Again, subtle nutty flavor but I wouldn't have noticed that there were chestnuts in this beer if I didn't read the description.