Black Lab
Blue Pit Brewing

this is truly excellent, and marks a big leap forward for these guys, based on my visit there awhile back where the beer was hardly drinkable. this really is quite professional, unique but traditional, and very well executed. the color is rich copper, it has a short but persistent off white head on it, and has high shine from the tap, looks good. the nose is cool, earthy warming smoke in front of richer almost caramelized malt character, sweet but deeply autumnal and outdoorsy, smells like camping in the best possible way. there is a richness but its well grounded, some light pine to the hops give it life, and the fermentation is super tidy, lightly bready and english, but objectively well done, which just was not the case when i visited this place, so great to see real improvement here. the flavor of this rules too, there is a decadent woodiness behind the smoke, light cocoa and maple notes too, this is like the essence of october to me. the smoke is pungent but never acrid at all, there is great smoothness to this, a fuller medium body but easy drinking overall due to the carbonation being upbeat. dark bread, wet soil, hardwood fire, and just a bit of a toffee thing. really flavorful, earthy, and good, a downright delicious example of the style. need to get back down here and try some of their other beers, hoping they have all come this far! top notch smoked beer here, different than the norm, unique smoke profile, great proportions. bravo!