BBW Porter
Stillwater Artisanal Ales

 

 

 

 

Beer is black / brown with a mild haze, a thin tan head that halos quickly to the walls of the glass, low retention, low lacing.

Aroma is sweet and smoky with a definite rauch-esque character to it.

Beer is medium to light in body, mildly smokey interesting because the front is chocolate and sweet and the back is just this roasty smokey bitterness. I liked it but it is not my favorite beer from either of these places.

A - The body was dark brown in color with two fingers worth of tan head...the head showed some nice retention and left patches of lacing

S - I was only picking up some smoke on the nose...there wasn't any spice coming through...alcohol was detected

T - Again, the smoke presence was lacking...I would have liked to have more of that throughout the beer...a dark fruit flavor was lingering throughout the beer (raisins and plums)...the hops were also faint and provided an earthiness...again, the alcohol was coming through

M - Medium bodied...I enjoyed this part although the smoke was lacking...finished dark and roasty and long

O - I thought the idea behind a Smoked Belgian Porter was pretty good...not sure if it was pulled off too well...I would have liked more smoke presence and less alcohol bite...the finish was nice

I had this on-tap at Max's during Baltimore Beer Week. Poured into a tasting glass.

Appearance: Pours dark brown with a little light coming through at the edges. There is a layer of off white head that goes away completely.

Smell: Very smokey with some dark fruit, spice, and some roasted malt.

Taste: Smooth and smokey. Dark fruit, yeast spice, and mild roast. Very much like the smell.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with smooth carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: Very smooth and a nice amount of smoke. The sweetness and mild spice complemented everything else very nicely. I liked it and would have another.