Helm of Awe
Mad Swede Brewing Company

Draft at MS taproom. Rich, dark brown, skin of tan head, streaky lacing. Aroma fills the nose with roast malts and light chocolate elements. Taste starts and ends with roasty bitterness. Hint of sweetness. Oatmeal gives this a nice silky feel

A-dark chestnut with prodigious foam head
S-Chocolate, char
T-a little spicy character for a porter
M-light body, avg carbonation
O-really solid hyper-local porter

a very true to style english porter and another very well made dark beer from these guys, who do a lot of things well but maybe the dark stuff best, at least in my experience. this is on the lighter side, a solid brown color without any black, and without much dark roasted barley as a base, no bitter or char or coffee suggestions here really at all, instead its more of a medium chocolate malt base profile, leaving a little more room for the yeast to influence the flavor, not to mention being a bit more approachable and drinkable than a lot of porters out there. i get a light spiciness among the grain, almost a suggestion of rye malt in the mix, but i cant confirm that, dry cocoa notes abound, some autumnal earthiness, and a light beady or doughy old worldy ale yeast to me. its light for a porter, and its drinkable, but it isnt simple, and i like the little wrinkles of character it exhibits as i drink it. a nice four season example of the style here, among the best porters locally made or available as far as i am concerned. these guys are climbing the local ranks for me, i like them more and more every time i visit or drink their stuff!

Growler fill poured into a mug.

A: Medium brown with lots of red highlights and transparency; thin head and lacing.

S: Toasted oatmeal character and impressions of chocolate, coffee, malt, and roast.

T: More roasted than toasted, the oatmeal and roasted malt blend beautifully and combine with dark chocolate and hints of coffee.

MF: Light and drinkable, never thin or watery though - good for 6%.

O: I really enjoy this one - drinkable and flavorful for a smaller porter, and the oatmeal serves this brew well.

Very tasty this one. No real coffee taste (which is something that I just don't like in stouts or porters) but a dry, slightly roasted bitter finish. Well-rounded and a pleasure to drink.