Sunless Year
Holy Mountain Brewing Company - Interbay Brewery + Taproom

16oz can

Pours less than a finger of head into my tumbler. Retention is sub-par and the head fades in less than a minute. Body is pitch black.

Nose has a pretty pronounced roastiness, very bold. Has a little bit of sweetness and a slight molasses/syrup character, but it seems pretty clean. There is a small sour/tartness, perhaps coming from some fruit. Smells pretty nice.

Taste has a big roasted malt presence. Faint chocolate and maybe some fig come out with warmth and substantial time. Massive flavor, but I would like more complexity.

Carbonation is on the higher side. Body has a slick feel, and definitely some thickness. Noticeable tartness to it, with a moderate-elevated bitterness, and a little bit of sharp alcohol in the finish. Somewhat dry, but some sweetness does come out over time. Certainly a little abrasive here and there, but it’s a nice mouthfeel.

Drinkability is a little rough a times, but never a serious issue.

Definitely a big beer that comes across aggressive if you aren’t ready for it. Stylistically pretty on point, but the tartness is off. Overall nice, but I won’t be grabbing too many.

Look - Black and thick with a nice head
Smell - faint roastey smell but very faint
Look - Roasty malts, sweet dark fruit and woody
Feel - medium body and carb
Overall - really nice lagered baltic porter

 

 

Dark brown appearance with a nice off white head that dissipates quickly. Aroma is a very mild malt. Taste is a mild slightly sweet malt with minimal chocolate.

 

On tap at the brewery from a tulip.
Appearance is an opaque dark brown with a light brown head.
Aroma is amazing with complex fruity esters and rich caramel malt.
Flavor provides outstanding malt complexity and dark fruit notes. The lagering process gives a super smooth, well rounded and clean flavor. Noticeable alcohol.
Mouthfeel medium body, surprisingly and pleasantly low carbonation, smooth.
Overall, an outstanding Baltic Porter everyone should try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boy, these may be 3rd use whiskey barrels that HM used for this beer, but they've still got a lot of life in them. There's a noticeable whiskey aroma, and an even bigger presence in the taste. I've never been real clear on what makes a porter a Baltic Porter, but the base porter here is dry and dark roasty, with a fairly light body, as stouts and porters go.

Overall, quite outstanding.