No One Likes Your Grandson
Refined Fool Brewing Co.

Bomber purchased at the brewery; no packaging date. Served barely chilled.

Pours a deep, not-quite-opaque cola brown colour with crimson red highlights; it's initially topped with roughly one finger of bubbly, tan-coloured head that fizzles off within a few minutes. An attractive swath of sticky lace is left in its wake, as well as a tight collar of suds - looks fine to me. Roasted malts on the nose: chocolate, caramelized sugars and espresso, with suggestions of roasted peanuts and salted caramel.

It's a decent little porter - tastes roasty at the forefront, with espresso, baker's chocolate and cocoa powder followed by some salted caramel sweetness interspersed with hints of black fig. The caramel and chocolate last through to the finish, followed by a bittersweet aftertaste that is just a little salty. Medium in body, with low carbonation that gently brushes against the surface of the palate; feels smooth and slick, coating the tongue with each sip. Fair drinkability: I can finish the bomber myself, but a tallboy would've been plenty.

Final Grade: 3.86, a B+. It must be disappointing to find out that No One Likes Your Grandson, but at least you'll have this yummy porter to drown your sorrows in. When I see "salted caramel", there's always the concern that it's going to be sweeter than I'd prefer. To be sure, this is more sugary than your average porter, but it's balanced effectively by the roasty dark malt flavours of the porter itself, and the salt also helps to distract from its saccharine qualities. Honestly, it's pretty respectable for a flavoured beer, and I think I prefer this over several of their other low-ish abv stouts and porters (e.g. Joe Sent Me or Plant Life).