Burnt Friar Smoked Porter
Coronado Brewing Company

Had on tap at Triple Rock in Berkeley.

Poured a dark, fluid black with hints of deep reddish brown at the edges. Head was a stony white with average retention and lacing.

Nose was thoroughly roasted and toasted, with coffee and dark chocolate being the main players. Woody and smoky character made them not the usual coffee and chocolate though, and the beer is better for it. Smokiness is not too strong which I like.

Taste has a lot more of the wood and smoke than the nose did, and the coffee and chocolate kind of linger in the background. The beer does a good job of integrating everything together so the flavors at the front don't get out of hand. A slight fruitiness, like light hoppy tropical fruit, adds some complexity to the already busy beer.

Mouthfeel is full and rich while remaining a touch grainy and fluid. Leaves a coating in the mouth and a definite bittersweetness at the finish. Drinkability is very good for this being a smoked porter, as the smoke is well balanced and the other flavors all don't dominate one another.