Chocolate Covered Pretzel
New Trail Brewing Company

16oz can into a pint glass. No freshness dating.

Looks splendid. Dense black body with a persistent tan head which leaves rings of lacing.

Strong aroma of cocoa.

Taste follows the nose. Lots of cocoa, a nice roast to cut the sweet. No salt.

Mouth between medium and full, finish a chocolatey roast.

Overall, a nice enough drink as it stands. But lacking oomph for a baltic, no salt for the pretzel aspect. Come to think of it, an actual pretzel element might have been interesting.

 

 

 

 

Bit bitter, slightly funky aftertaste. Chocolaty, smooth. Tastes better as it watms up.

 

 

The pour from a pint can into a clear Imperial pint glass is gorgeous. Jet black coffee brown colored, with a reasonable and enduring beige head on top makes for a pretty picture. Above all, roasted malt is the major contributor to the aroma. But, there's more. Maybe not exactly chocolate, but close, is caught, with some almost indescribable salty characteristic. The taste may not replicate its described intention, as there are much better brews that just flat out nail dark chocolate better and at least one that gets the pretzel inclusion much better. So, this one doesn't hit its advertised mark completely. That doesn't disqualify it from being a true taste treat. Its body is rich and smooth. It does provide reminders of a salted dark chocolate covered pretzel, even if it doesn't get them exactly. There's even some glass lacing. Overall, this is a wonderfully divergent indulgence from a brewery that excells in offering hazy double, triple and Imperial IPAs. Let's hope they keep expanding their expertise.

 

Can into pint glass. Pours a deep cola brown which, upon consolidation in a glass, looks almost black (although there is a bit of translucency around the edges). Brief tan head. Initial impression is roasted malts, chocolate, and possibly a bit of saltiness - but equating it to a chocolate covered pretzel is a stretch. Mouthfeel is medium, as is carbonation. Finish is dark-ish chocolate, fading to a dry roastiness. Overall, an enjoyable Porter but not one I'd necessarily seek out.

 

Pours dark as midnight oil with a caramel colored head.

Coffee, chocolate, caramel. Toffee, whole grain toasted rye bread with spicy woody dry notes.

Coffee, chocolate,rye pretzel, with toffee and spicy herb earth notes.