Smokescreen
Arbor Ales

A: Pours a clear but opaque jet black in color with light to moderate amounts of fine active visible carbonation rising along the edges of the glass and faint dark chestnut brown + dark cola brown + dark mahogany colored highlights. The beer has a three finger tall sudsy foamy dark tan head that slowly reduces to a large patch of medium thick film covering approximately 70% of the surface of the beer surrounded by a large patch of slightly mottled thin film covering the remainder of the surface of the beer and a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of smoked malts over the top of moderate aromas of charred + roasted + toasted + chocolate + caramel malts with a very light amount of caramel sweetness. Light to moderate aromas of tobacco + chicory + anise and a light aroma of earthy hops.

T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of charred + roasted + toasted + chocolate + caramel malts with a very light amount of caramel sweetness. That is followed by moderate to strong flavors of smoked malts along with light to moderate flavors of tobacco + chicory + anise. Finally there is a light flavor of earthy hops. Light to moderate amounts of lingering roasty bitterness along with moderate lingering smoky flavors.

M: Slightly heavier than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth, almost creamy with a light amount of dryness in the finish.

O: Easy to drink with well hidden alcohol and a pleasant smooth, almost creamy mouthfeel with some light amounts of dryness. Lots of depth and complexity to the malt profile along with significant smoke presence makes this beer very enjoyable (assuming one likes smoked flavors + aromas.. Successful use of smoke as there are no hints of iodine which I sometimes detect in these beers.

 

 

568ml. Bottle-conditioned. Good price. Pours almost black with tan head. Aroma smoke and chocolate. Quite sweet. Less bitterness than a stout. Mouthfeel long and syrupy. Overall: A very good beer. Chocolatey flavour, appropriate bitterness and carbonation.

 

Served on cask at port street bar via handpump
Pours a very very very dark brown body with huge foaming thick tan coloured head
Flavour is Like chewing on a fine Stogie, big smoke with hints of chicory & liquorice