Anniversary Baltic Porter
Bosque Brewing Co. - North

First of all, big thanks to the very generous BA who carries the nom de beer ONovoMexicano. Many thanks, Brother.
Wow, this is a gorgeous, mahogany body capped by a seductive mocha colored, milky head. Nice and sticky lacing.
Smell is stunning. Sweet caramel notes, a hint of cocoa and lite roastiness that wafts in the direction of smoke only slightly. However, more akin to a sweet stout or porter than a Baltic porter which tends to have more roast and sometimes a peat meets anise smell.
Flavor follows the nose. Sweeter than I expect from a Baltic porter. But the flavors are grand. Initially, molasses, caramel and cocoa fill the mouth. Then hints of a drying bitter and roasted wood. As it warms I pick up nuanced prune, fig, and date, and finally a hint of something slightly more tart like plum. But it always come back to molasses and cocoa. Amazing, but again, slightly different than I expect from a Baltic porter.
Mouthfeel is full, finishes slick.
Overall, I love this one. I'm just wondering if it's really a "Baltic" porter. Having said this, I wouldn't change a thing.

Very dark brown -- near black -- with a thick finger of dense, mocha-colored head that leaves heavy sheets of lacing. Aroma of roasted malts, chocolate, some smoke and maybe even a little meat. Lighter bodied than I was expecting. There is a fullness to the mouthfeel; slightly creamy, but not a lot of heft. Strong carbonation, though. Again, I'm getting milk chocolate up front in the taste, then more roasted flavors, and just a hint of the smokiness present in the aroma. Moderate hop bitterness competes with a mixture of nuttiness, sweat cream and smoke in the aftertaste. There's definitely a lot going on in the malt profile here. I can see how many would really enjoy this, but even lightly-smoked beers aren't often to my taste.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Served in a tulip glass at the tap room in Nob Hill.

Arrives with an oatmeal-colored head, froth and a pitch-black body. Head turns to sticky lace and film above the body. 5

Light cocoa, vanilla and caramel on the nose with a touch of floral bouquet and cherrywood. Delicate surprisingly. 4

Let this sucker warm. It arrived to me pretty cold but I had food come after a few sips. After I ate, my first sip was much more abundant in flavor. Rich sweet malty flavor that has some hints of molasses and caramel, dark fruit, dark chocolate and a floral finish with some pine and grassy hops on the finish. 4.25

Rich, creamy and effervescent to start before turning roasty, bitter and a touch spicy on the finish. 4.25

Very rich and creamy and still easy-drinking and even refreshing. Another great Bosque beer and proof they are not a one-trick pony by any means.