Puffers Smoked Porter
Amherst Brewing

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased in a screw-cap growler yesterday at the brewpub.

Poured into one of my Pioneer #42 steins, formed the thinnest of films over the slightly cloudy reddish brown brew. What minimal head there was is gone in a flash, although lacing is prevalent and lasting. Aroma is sweet rich grains with a slight smoky tinge.

Taste continues what the nose starts, sweet darkness upfront, with light bitterness and a wisp of smoke through the close. Mouthfeel is smooth, very low carbonation, with pretty good drinkability too. I wish a fresh growler had a bit more bubbly in it, but guess that's the way it goes.

 

Finally! After numerous trips to ABC they had this one on tap. I don't know if it was just my bad luck or what but it never seems to be available when I stop in.

Pours deep dark and mysterious. Definitely a great looking, almost black, pint of beer. The head is rather small but nice and tight.

Smells of cocoa beans, coffee and that nice faint hint of smoked malt. The smokiness is nicely balanced and in no way over the top as far as aroma goes.

Tastes so smooth. Almost creamy, nice and soft on the tongue. Lots of rich, toasted notes. Bitter chocolate, espresso and that nicely balanced smokiness that really tells me they got things right with this smoked porter.

One of my favorite styles and done very, very well by ABC. I should have picked up a growler for New Year's....

L: Pours a deep brown, almost black color with a medium bodied and medium sized head that laces the glass nicely on the way down.
S: Smells of sweet roasted malts, a nice smokey aroma comes off at the end with a hint of hops as well.
T: Follows the nose which is nice. A sweet malty base underneath a slightly hoppy flavor then finishes up with a good smokey flavor. Nice smoked porter.
M: Very smooth, warming, and very drinkable.
D: Very nice beer with all of the flavors coming together for a solid smoked porter.

nitro-tap at ABC on 2/14/08

at first, a typical nitro porter/stout appearance. but despite being nitro, the head fades. at least it doesn't disappear completely. unfortunately, it leaves no lacing.

coffee and smoke aromas, but again too subdued because of being served so cold.

the taste also hints of coffee and smokiness. some sweetness of caramelized grain and malts, but with the cold temp, the bitterness (which is otherwise moderate) seems to take over slightly.

smooth due to nitro, not too watery.

dammit, ABC, stop serving these things so cold just so the fratboys next door can down them quicker!

A sampled beer at the ABC. The porter had a dark, somewhat amberish appearance. It had a thin to practically little head on it. The aromas were pretty oak-like, or woody, with heavy malt. With a light syrupy aftertaste, the drink had, in general, a bitter flavor to it. It was definitely crisp with its medium body. This was basically a wicked nice porter overall.

Poured a dark chocolate brown. No light would penetrate this beer even with a wing and a prayer. Thick creamy head sat on top that layered the interior of the glass.

Nose is mild. Very subtle and of smoked malts.

Flavor is a great balance of smoked malts and subtle hops.Some coffeeness going on in there as well. Got hints of vanilla and chocolate peaking through too. The smokiness is nice--not overly harsh but more smooth. Kind of like a rich coffee.

Slightly watery but still full bodied. Not cloying like I was expecting. A nice session beer.

Mostly clear deep dark brown. Fine light brown head. Rather sweet aroma lets the said smoke come out very leathery and meaty. It doesn’t really shout out smoke though and I’m not getting much other malt flavors, not too mention other ingredients. Palate is short, a bit astringent and with light vegetable notes. A bit excessively light body for the style and very low carbonation. I’d have liked to try it on cask like the GBBF crew because it didn’t leave much impression to this smoked beer fan that I am.

Really liked it, chocolate and roast flavours, with some uglyness, not particualarly big, but nice and tasty, slightly smoky nose and palate, tasty in the end. Agree with BSF on the verys smoky finish, but i kind of liked that, charry, and a bit ugly, which worked well for this beer (Cask- GBBF 03')

ABC's smoked porter poured a dark black.A creamy brown head with a solid brown lace around my glass.The aroma hinted at burnt wood.The mouthfeel was a bit too watery for me.Smoke is noted on the taste and the aroma.An overall ok porter but not great.

Sampled on tap at the brewpub July 2002 and July 2003. The appearance and drinkability ratings improved. Sampled again July 2004, still an excellent porter, and I must rate it higher in drinkability.

This porter poured a very dark brown/black with good, creamy, tan foam that clung to the glass. The smell was sweet and smokey malt. The taste was sweet, dark malt with hints of smoke, cocoa, and caramel, and with hops in the finish. The mouthfeel was smooth with a dry finish. The body was medium and the carbonation was low. This was a very good porter.