El Robusto
Busted Sandal Brewing Company

 

 

 

A little thin on the palate and one-dimensional.

 

possibly the best of the beers we had in here, which really isnt saying a whole lot, but i thought this basic porter was pretty well executed, which really wasnt true with a lot of the others, even in basic styles like this, the beer all just seemed really amateur to me. this porter is pretty sturdy, near black in color, headier than the others from the tap, and with a nice deep dark roasty grain complexion that makes it distinctively intense. there are chocolate and light smoke notes too, an ashy high carbon charry element, and a very smooth body to it. a lot of the ales in here had a funny ester from the yeast, but this one is much cleaner, not astringent or sharp or chemical like many of the others, more tidy with the fermentation overall really. cold brewed coffee character comes out at the end, a bready malty middle, and all this roast. overall a pretty solid brew, seems like they have this one dialed in ahead of the others. if i was going to go back here, this is where i would start.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is an updated review: Oct. 21 2016- Finally found this available at the liquor store, in cans no less! Alamo City liquors in San Antonio. Don't let the low-bid packaging throw you off. This is a top-rate porter. Initially pours jet black with a nice 1 finger foamy head. Smell is sweet, caramel but a little burnt smell to it. Taste is sweet and malty with good mouthfeel. There is a pronounced coffee flavor to it as well, particularly at the finish. It is not overpowering and blends well with the sweet caramel flavor. An excellent beer.