Trip Hammer Robust Porter
Blindman Brewing

Pouring a cold 16 oz can into my tumbler. Picked up at local beer store. Date stamp is not legible.
The beer pours a rich cola brown with a dense creamy khaki head of almost 2 cm. This foam almost overtops my glass. This foam leaves wispy lattice after sips and there is a sturdy surface covering throughout sampling.
Aroma is dark cocoa, roasted malts maybe a little burnt tobacco note and no hop character nor ABV hints. Smells the part and is enjoyable for me.
First sip reveals a medium body and fairly smooth texture. Carbonation is sort of robust and prickly.
Flavor is also spot on IMO.
I get roasted malts and dark chcocolate mixing with a little charred note and some burnt sugar. There is also a bit of grassy hop on the background. Still no hints of the ABV.
The beer drinks pretty easy, hits the right notes and Im enjoying it. Glad to picked this one out of the cooler in Calgary.

 

 

Trip Hammer is crystal clear and a deep, almost sullen ruby colored beer. The head is dense, mousse-like, and coffee and cream colored. Retention is fairly respectable.
Up front aroma of brown sugar and raisin. Sugar and raisins are supported by damp earth the faintest hints of quality leather. Hints of date and other ripe, stone fruit come through in the center. Some caramel and nuttiness reminding me a bit of toffifee candies. Finish gives me a leathery, earthy sort of hop aroma.
On the tongue, Trip Hammer is only medium bodied, lacking the lushness I look for in a porter. Caramel, brown sugar, and raisins start me off before leading into a not unpleasant nuttiness in the center. Leather and dates lead me into a finish that is peppery in nature and slightly bitter.
Trip Hammer offers many of the flavors and aromas I enjoy in a good porter. Somehow they just don't seem to harmonize the way those beers do. It's like listening to someone play piano and they're hitting the notes, but not playing the melody.

 

 

I haven't had a bad beer from these guys, and I'm excited to try their take on a porter.

The goods pour out a very opaque dark cola colour, with hints of ruby. A fine head follows, off-white with hits of cinnamon red. Looks swell.

Full on chocolate milk with some spice up front on the aroma. There are indeed some smokey notes, a hint of beechwood? It's creamy chocolate all the way. Tangerine, a bit of licorice and some hints of cinnamon. Really fine smelling brew. It borders on red wine territory from time to time. Mostly it's a lactic hit though, with dark chocolate predominant.

The taste doesn't fully deliver on the aroma, imo. For one thing, it's a bit light bodied and too fizzy. Also, the website lists the IBU at 25, but really? It leaves the palate feeling pretty dry indeed. I'm surprised at that. I guess in a way it is lacking the promising sweet chocolate notes that were hinted at by the aroma. Quite surprisingly dry and just a bit too carbonated. Still, a decent enough tasting porter.

A very drinkable porter. I'm just a tad disappointed in the lack of body and the dry frothiness in the aftertaste. Would definitely drink again, but this may be my least favourite offering from Blindman thus far.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tall boy poured into a snifter
L- Very dark chocolate brown with no light coming through. Good carbonation and a thin mocha head.
S- Strong fresh espresso smell upfront. The usual suspects vanilla, caramel, chocolate, dark fruit are also present. Also quite smoky. Big nose on this one.
T- All the flavours from the nose are present and are well balanced. Beer has minimal sweetness and a lot of smokiness and dryness which makes for a big flavored stout. Also a slight bit of acidity which cuts through the heaviness and adds depth to it.
F- Medium to heavy bodied with a flavor that lingers on your palate long after the beer is gone.

473ml can poured into Sam Adams pint glass.

Pours a very dark brown with a think cap of creamy tan head that leaves frosted patio door lace as it recedes.

Smells of singed toffee, dark chocolate, iced coffee, day-old campfire and faintly foresty hops.

Tastes of more crisp dark toffee, baker's chocolate, smoky ash, soft licorice and more mild leafy, earthy hops.

Feels smooth and lively. Medium bodied with frothy carbonation. Finishes dry.

Verdict: Recommended. Good for a nice long evening.

 

 

 

Had this on-tap at The Hop In Brew in Calgary.
Probably the best porter that they've brought in.
Almost black, tan head, thick and sweet but with slight licorice and coffee notes.
A real winner.