Stampede Trail
Esker Hart Artisan Ales

Poured into a Stone Gargoyle flute. Pours a very dark mahogany brown with a fine, one finger khaki head with great retention and solid lacing. Aroma of dark toasted and biscuit malt, molasses, malt extract and faint dark stone fruit. Flavor is dark toasted and biscuit malt malt extract, molasses, dates and dried plums, which are enhanced a bit in the finish. Medium bodied with moderate creaminess. This was almost a whoops beer, I didn't check the date stamp and was taken aback at the 2023 date. Fortunately, this has aged nicely. Impossible to know what it tasted like fresh, but it is a pleasant, quite malty porter with light, but proper dark fruit notes. This reminds me of some of the biscuity style old ales that were produced a decade ago with deep biscuit and malt character. Fruit notes could be a bit deeper, but this is a 2 year old can and they have done well enough anyway. This is nicely brewed and has aged well; glad I got it.

 

 

16 ounce can - $6.25 at Woodstock Beer Market in Woodstock, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours a silky-looking, very dark brown body with an initially frothed, dark tan-hued head.

Smell: Roasted barley, abundant chocolate and caramelly malts with supporting aromatics of anise, cola, plum/prune, lightly smoky ash and a single drop of Maggi seasoning.

Taste: Heavy albeit luscious dark roasted barley with smooth chocolate and caramel, like a taste of Milk Duds that won't inadvertently yank an old filling out of your teeth. A growing sense of alcohol warmth, though you're distracted by the altogether smooth flavors ranging from cherry cola to black licorice, dark fruit and small sprinkling of ash. I'm making it sound like Milk Duds meets Dr. Pepper, it would me.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium-soft carbonation. Creamyish mouthfeel.

Overall: Quite nice. Almost dangerously drinkable.

Beautiful pour. Deep deep brown color, perfect head. Rich, thick, creamy and luscious.

No noticeable smell.

Very smooth and easy to drink. I like porters, but sometimes they feel like too much "porter" vs a good stout. This one is very easy to drink - ABV well hidden.

Recommend!