Cherry Porter
Sockeye Grill & Brewery

a new one, as distinct from the wild cherry porter they had at the old spot a couple of years back. this is very much a valentines thing, i cant believe how much cherry is on it. it looks deep and dark like a porter, but it drinks lighter than it looks, without a ton of body, very little deep roasted bitterness, and almost no linger from the grain, its remarkably cherry driven, not sure i can call it out as real fruit, seems too forward and too candy-like to be real cherries, but i dont know for sure how its made. it actually smells and tastes just like a cherry cola, not that its overly artificial, but that the dose is real high and there is enough of a crystal malt sweetness to the base porter that thats how it comes across. that said, its delicious by any measure, even if maybe a touch too sweet to have more than a pint, its got awesome flavor, a nice chocolate character from the grain too, a hint of fresh roasted coffee, and all this red cherry to it. it helps that its light in body and so well carbonated, and i think overall its great, a nice addition to their winter menu and a beer that more than adequately serves its purpose. killer to see so many new selections on tap up there this weekend, this was a highlight!