Chocolate Porter (Pappy Van Winkle W/ Egg Nog)
Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing

 

 

 

Served on cask at Al's of Hampden. A long forgotten two year old firkin with egg nog and malted milk added to it. Pours pitch black with a big one and a half finger tall tan head, quickly dissipating down to a ring around the edge, leaving minimal lace on the glass.

Smells of milk chocolate, lots of dark roasted malt, woody oak, minimal bourbon, a bit of "egg nog" and some mild oxidation. Taste has more of the egg nog and malted milk than in the nose. Bourbon is pretty light, more oaky than boozy. The chocolate comes through later with less oxidation than the nose but it's still there. Slick feel with plenty of lingering flavors, mainly the dark roast.

Overall I wish this was served fresh as intended, I think it could have been really solid. As it is it has some nice things going for it but it is definitely showing its age. It is a far cry from its former glory.