Siberian Silk
La Cumbre Brewing Co.

16-ounce can purchased at the La Cumbre Westside Taproom in Albuquerque, NM. Date stamp reads "CO 01/29/26 BB 01/29/27". I'm guessing "CO" is "canned on" and "BB" is"best by". Enjoyed in a nonic half-pint glass.

The beer is a very clear deep cola brown color with brilliant ruby highlights. The head of creamy tan foam slowly fades to an uneven ring, and leaves scraps of lacing after every sip. The nose is primarily dark chocolate, brown sugar, blueberries, and some roasted malt. The flavor starts off with chocolate that's more milk than dark. Really nice malt depth, and not too sweet! Notes of caramel, cocoa powder, lightly burnt multigrain toast, hazelnuts, blueberries, black licorice, and a pinch of dried cherry. Hints of earthy coffee with a breath of herbal/floral hops. The finish is quite roasty, with moderate sweetness and a firm bitterness that lingers. Mild alcohol note and a kiss of smoke in the aftertaste. The body is medium-heavy, with a nice creamy texture and medium carbonation.

Overall, Siberian Silk is a terrific example of a Baltic porter. It has a luscious base of chocolate flavors and a lively cast of nuances from nutty to fruity to herbal. Not too sweet, not too roasty. Rich but not heavy. Satisfying. Really well done.

Note: ABV isn't shown on the can, but I'm pretty sure it was 10.1% on the menu in the taproom.

A 16 oz can with a 1/24/19 and BB 7/23/19 stamp.

While it looks like an opaque glossy black, closer inspection reveals that it is actually a reddish tinted, very dark brown ale color with a bit of light transparency. Big, thick tan head with nice retention.

There is a strong toasted aroma. Short of the roasted malt you would get from a Russian Imperial Stout, but heavier than your Festbier toasted bread. A hint of chocolate, some dark fruit that is like plums or red grapes, and a hint of red wine like esters/alcohol.

The flavor is incredible and super smooth. Semi sweet with some caramel/toffee up front, followed by dark toasted bread, plums to cherries, and ending with what tastes like a chocolate covered coffee bean and some nutty brown malts. Very clean finish.

Insanely smooth. Worthy of the “Silk”. And I just noticed as I finished typing that it was 9.3%. Would never know it. Would have guessed 8 having had a few, but enough carbonation almost makes it drink like 6-7.

I can’t imagine where they would improve this in any way. Which makes me wonder why I don’t have 5s across the board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours midnight black with a mocha head. Aroma is boldy dark and roasty; earthy coffee, dark chocolate, mixed in with a touch of cream. Flavor follows suit, pretty much: roasty with heavy earthy coffee tones, dark chocolate, cream, but also some pine. Medium to fuller bodied, creamy, with a nice dry finish. Overall, the best baltic porter I have tried.

 

 

 

A- dark brown black color with a decent tan head and good lacing

S-dark malt, coffee, chocolate, molasses, earthy

T-dark roasted malt, chocolate, earthiness, coffee, hint of hops and slightly bitter finish

F- medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth and creamy

O- an enjoyable porter with decent flavor and balancr