Java Dragon Porter
Storybook Brewing

 

this one was really good too, and in fact, i quite liked all the beers i had here at storybook. this one is on the lighter side of porter. darker than brown ale, the color is just a shade or two lighter than what is common in the style, but the body is much lighter than what we are used to in american porter. what makes this one exciting is the infusion of coffee. they have used quite a heavy handed dose, and in the somewhat more delicate base porter, it really comes to the fore. there are chocolate notes in the coffee that bring out some of the subtleties of the chocolate malt, and there is enough bitterness in it to balance the caramel sweet middle here. the flavor of the coffee is awesome, earthy and warming, comforting in some way, something to snuggle up to. unfortunately i found the body a little thin. i like the drinkability that the lightness adds, but the flavors scream winter and the less than full body is a missed opportunity for me. still smooth, no acidity from the coffee, and pretty dry as they go. well done, with a little more density to it, it would be top notch.