No Rules 2022 - Salted Caramel
Perrin Brewing Co.

Slick, nearly watery dull black, even dark brown, with a fluid bubbly blanket that quickly dissipates to nothing.

Quite woody yet slick, coconut slowly blooms with warmth, while salted boozy caramel almost at times grows into a hint of cinnamon that nears chile.

To make bourbon, there's a lot of rules. To make wine, there's also a lot of rules. Most beverages have layer upon layer of criteria to follow, but the beer industry is another story. Perrin brewers throw the rule book out of the window when venturing into a lavishly sweet, savory and stern porter in this 2022 Nor Rules release

Salted Caramel No Rules kicks off with a robust dark brown, easily disguised as stout, type of darkness. With a firm mocha whipped crown, the beer is stately and gentlemanly. Coconut candy bars come to mind as the dark chocolate, coconut and caramel seep into the olfactory senses. Its taste is lavish with caramel, coconut, chocolate, toffee and sweet cream.

And those old fashion coconut candy impression roll onto the middle palate on the back of the robust porter below. Dark-roast coffee, bittersweet chocolate, burnt toast and seared caramel sweetness carry a marshmallowy texture and a velvety smooth vanilla and heavy cream finish. Charred oak, toasted pecan, and a light tannic wood character are soft and are largely lost on the beer's caramel and gentle salinity for roundness and complexity.

Full, rich and with absolute decadence, the creamy and dense beer is a slow sipping affair, one that relishes in an extended finish and aftertaste of bourbon, caramel and dark chocolate. Warm with simmering booze, a familiar taste of Kentucky bourbon balls suggest that this beer isn't a good complement for dessert, but rather replaces dessert altogether.