Uncle Billy's Smokestack Lightning
Uncle Billy's Brew & Que

On-tap at Uncle Billy's on Barton Springs while getting some grub with trep's brother.

I'm served a pint glass of dark chocolate-colored beer topped by an inch of cedar brown head the consistency of sour cream. Great retention and lacing for the ABV, while the opaque body looks more like a stout. Smoky aroma, as the name suggests, but very much porter-like, with notes of caramel, chocolate, dark fruit, and earthy hops. Me likey...

Impressive complexity, as the flavor intertwines smoked malt, dark chocolate, hops, and raisin rum. No one note is more prominent than the next, and the balance between the smokiness and the malts really sets off the tastebuds. Lingering aftertaste of dark fruits and warming alcohol. Creamy, chewy mouthfeel with a stout-like body and sticky finish, but more porter-like in its drinkability--I could have easily downed another few Smoked Lightnings that night. Pairs very well with Uncle Billy's pulled pork.