Breakfast in Brooklyn
Mast Landing Brewing Company

A bourbon barrel-aged porter. From the brewery’s description: “Silky imperial porter brewed with maine honey, vanilla & boysenberry, aged in Willet bourbon barrels for 7 months.”

In short: outstanding. Fabulous. Unfortunately, it’s a brewery-only special, a one-time batch. Available only on draft at the brewery tasting room. I’d buy all I could get my hands on.

It’s called an imperial porter, but this has very complex flavors. It unfolds like a great wine. Even my non-beer loving spouse liked it.

Color is very dark brown/mahogany. Smell is subtle, on the sweet side, some alcohol, but nowhere near the 12.8%.

Taste is very complex in the best possible way. Reminiscent of a Belgian strong dark (if you can imagine that) combined with ultra-silky porter. Honey and vanilla notes are subdued. It drinks so much smoother than the 12.8% would imply. Body is thinner than a stout, spot-on for a porter.

It’s unique and defies simple characterization or direct comparison with any other beer. One of the best beers I’ve ever had. Run over to Mast Landing and have one before it runs out.