Ralphius - Tawny Port
Free Will Brewing Co.

Pours matte black with a dark mocha head that starts very fizzy but settles into a decent-sized, very creamy-looking cap that’s quite attractive.

The nose is a mix of port, oak, dull bakers chocolate, leather and just a hint of vanilla.

The taste is an interesting mix of sweetness and dryness. The port wine plays nicely off of some light vanilla, cola and brownie batter fudgeiness up front in the taste. Umami and bakers chocolate linger in a fairly dry finish.

The feel is creamy, soft and smooth with some underlying fizz.

I love port, but preferred the double barrel (port/bourbon) to this variant. The port barrel is a bit light handed, leaving a somewhat incongruent flavor profile to my preferences. This is in comparison to the series’ best, of course. Like almost all Ralphius, it’s still pretty excellent.

 

Bitters baker's chocolate and mellow port notes of caramel and muddled fruits work well together. Ashy roast finish with some oak, leather, and a hint of cigar smoke. The body is lightly silky and the carbonation is minimal. This came together extremely well.