Polska Imperial Porter
Laurelwood Brewing Co.

On draught at Bailey's, Polska Porter is dark brownish black with a tan head that leaves scattered lace.

Smell is sweet malt, raisins.

Taste is really robust - whoa. Tasty though, lots of cured fruits and roasted grain. Not too sweet, very satisfying, with lots of depth.

Mouthfeel is viscous, chewy, and smooth.

Drinkability is very good. The ABV is well hidden, and it's one of those beers that you find yourself justifying a second, even if you know better!

On-Tap @ Baileys Taproom poured into Pint glass.

Pours a slick onyx black, which allows no light through, with a couple fingers of mocha colored that that eventually dissolves into a thin layer atop the glass. The aroma is roast, bitter chocolate, and some hints of dried dark cherry. Flavor is heavy in bitter dark roast, almost like a black cup of coffee with some dark fruit and finishes with a soft bitterness and all these flavors coat the mouth. Its full bodied and is fairly viscous with some hints of soft carbonation. Rich, robust and dark as night, I really enjoyed this Baltic Porter although it may be a little fuller and roasty than is called for by style. I still believe it is a Baltic Porter at heart.

Also, the version of this beer I had was a new version brewed and available for the Holiday Ale Festival and boasted a higher ABV of 10%.

On tap at 2009 HAF.

Dark brown body, dark tan head. Complex malt profile in the nose and taste. A bit on the sweet and hoppy side for the style. Roasted malt, chocolate dominate the taste, and a bit too much smokiness leaves a funky aftertaste. A bit of chocolate on the backend, with a significant alcohol heat finish means one of these is enough. Close to style, this is a nice one-off winter warmer. To be honest, my least favorite Laurelwood beer to date.

Had this at the 2005 Holiday Ale fest. This is by far the best porter I have ever had and probably will ever have. All other porters after drinking this is inferior. Too bad it was a one off from Laurelwood but I'm glad I had my fill at the fest. Incredible body as well as an assault of flavor.

Laurelwood first wowed beer fans with this strong Baltic porter at the Holiday Ale Festival. It is dark, rich, and formidable in every direction beginning with the cork colored head that floats like a tall, dense surge of espresso foam and trails adhesive lace. From here, the aroma emerges with a great abundance of toffee, cocoa powder, and pure roastiness.

Polska’s taste profile is classically porter with a slight showing of mint early in the palate. Its time spent in oak whiskey barrels lends it a slightly mellow temperament though the whiskey element is not defining. Instead, its most compelling characteristic is the extended roasty finish that follows like a long winter’s shadow.

A formidable beer of bold character. And coal black.

31 IBU.