HAmon HAmarth
Against The Grain Brewery

 

 

 

 

 

Too much smoked meat flavor for me. I know that's the intention, just not my speed.

 

 

Had at The Craft Beer Co. on draught in London. L: Pitch black with a thick tan head that slowly dissipates throughout drinking. S: Sweet, dark fruits. T: Initially sweet and robust followed by a roasty bitterness that sticks to the palette. Medium body. The aftertaste is what really makes this beer great for me. It leaves a lasting fruity bitterness on the back of the tongue, and there is only a slight alcoholic tinge to it despite the beer's very high ABV. Very drinkable all in all. I'd recommend this one to any imperial stout fan.

Poured from a growler into a Brooklyn Brewery snifter. The pour is very dark but not black or opaque. It sports about a finger of fine tan head which quickly dissipates down to a thin lace. Smells like a really good porter. I get those sweetish roasty notes of vanilla and coffee along with a faint woodsy hop aroma and a hint of smoke.

Medium body with a malty, smoky flavor and a firm feel. Up front I get toffee, vanilla, and sweet molasses with a nice smoky lace. Definitely not a rauchbier, as the smoke complements and adds beefiness to the profile, but does not dominate or spoil the flavor. At mid-palate, roast comes in and melds with the smoke, creating a pleasantly intense earthy flavor which slowly builds to a crescendo and masks the alcohol completely. Roast and smoke are left behind. Like coffee at a campfire.

Technically, this is billed as a porter so I shall review it as such. However, since it's a cranky 12.5% ABV, I'm willing to concede we are in imperial stout territory. I've only had one smoked porter (the classic beer from Alaskan) and I think this one might be a bit superior (at least I enjoyed it a little more) because it has more sweet notes to complement the smoke and roast. If you liked the Smoked Porter from Alaskan, you'll probably like this one too. I only wish I had some barbecued brisket to go with it.

Aroma is sweet, smoky, and chocolatey,. Smoke dominates. Flavor reveals a sweet chocolate malt backbone, with notes of roast and bruised cherry accenting charred wood bitterness and smoke. Lots going on here. The overwhelming phenols in the aroma play third fiddle to roast malt and esters in flavor. Finish is a touch medicinal and bitter. Becomes pretty phenolic as it sits, but then that dark fruit character and roast bitterness reign it in.

 

 

 

 

 

The aroma of the beer has an upfront smoke character and roasted character that offers lots of meaty notes.

The flavor has meaty smoke, chocolate, a bit of anise. On the finish continues chocolate and caramel sweetness.

The mouthfeel is medium.

A well made brew that hides its huge 12.5% quite well.