Smokehouse Porter
Arundel Brewery Limited

Pours hazy mahoghany brown into a tulip glass from a 330ml can. The fawn head is two fingers, close, and creamy; but it disappates rather quickly down to surface froth after a while; moderate lacing is left on the glass.

The aroma lives up to its name, tons of woodsmoke, charcoal, charred grain, and something akin to burnt sticky dates. There is a sweetness in the aroma to complement the smokiness, and no sign of coffee or chocolate so far; this porter is all no-nonsense rauchbier with a stone fruityness.

The flavour is the nose to a T; that woodsmoke comes through strong, very much like you're sat next to an open fire licking at beech and oak. You can also pick up a rich applewood smoked cheddar quality, cigar smoke, burnt roasted barley, and a definate charred fig, or date character on the sip and swallow. This porter has a smoky sweetness to it; there's no bitterness present, and it comes across very rich in flavour even if the body doesn't meet it.

It's a medium bodied porter, but regardless of the body it holds its flavours; there's no 'watering' down quality. Carbonation is minimal, and there's no hint of any drying on the back of the tongue.

I adore smoky, rich porters and stouts, and I'm glad to say I've found one. It's by no means a chewy variety, but you really do get a sense of that 'smokehouse' environment with this beer without it being cloying or overwhelming. Would recommend.