Badlun Brothers Imperial Porter
Straight To Ale

May 12th, 2016 - Accompanying tonight's studying is a fine looking Imperial Porter, with a velvet soft head. The coconut and cacao nib aroma is quite enticing, and smells a little like wet wood (forest on a rainy day) and a touch of pineapple rind and orgeat. So, tiki bar tucked away in the woods? The flavor reflects the aroma, and feels a little like a coquito cocktail, with some dry chocolate and a dry coconut polish. A nice package of malt and tropical tastes.

 

 

 

 

Poured into a Taster glass.

A: Black with a one finger tan head that dissipated quickly. Spotty lacing.

S: Smoky malts with caramel and toffee in the background.

T: Rich and robust with those smoked malts leading the way. Toffee and chocolate with a light nuttiness. Smooth and decadent. Damn!

M: Medium to heavy with medium, chewy carbonation.

O: I had this one on tap originally at Hop City and had to grab a bottle. This is a stellar porter to be savored with friends or someone who might bring along some chocolate chip cookies. A terrific collaboration. Well done.

If you've seen a dark hole, you've almost saw the color this Imperial Porter. Hints of vanilla, and toffee, as well as something extra.

A gnarly porter beast ready to bring you to the black hole of alabama craft beer...not to be abused.

 

Pours a black color. 1/4 inch head of an off-white color. Poor retention and poor lacing. Smells of strong alcohol, roasted malt, slight sweet malt, hint of hop, hint of yeast, and a hint of wood. Fits the style of a Baltic Porter. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of strong roasted malt, alcohol, sweet malt, hint of hop, hint of yeast, hint of liquor, and a hint of wood. Overall, strong body, weak appearance, good blend, and good feel.

 

L: It's inky black and has about half a finger of khaki-colored head when poured. A thin layer of tiny bubbles never completely dissipates, but there is minimal lacing in the glass.
S: When first poured, it smelled powerfully sweet, like molasses and dried fruit. As it warmed up, a roasted malt note become noticeable and then eventually dominant.
T: The flavor is more roasted malt and nuttiness, almost like peanut butter. It's not nearly as sweet as the initial smell would suggest, but it also has a slight chocolate flavor in the mix.
F: Mouthfeel is good for a porter. It has moderate carbonation and a light feel to it without being too thin.
Overall, this is an enjoyable easily drinkable porter. The story behind it is interesting too. It's a collaboration between all the Alabama breweries in honor of the first commercial brewery in the state: the Badlun Brothers' brewery near Huntsville in 1819.