Smoked Mammal Porter
Trap Rock Restaurant & Brewery

Had as part of a 6-beer sampler, but I'm only reviewing this one as it was the only one that really stood out.

As black as a porter should be with a half inch tan head that lasted until I finished the other five beers in the sampler. Saved this for last for two reasons: 1) I thought this would be the best of the six and 2) to let it warm up to the proper temperature.

Smoky with a sweetness backing it. No real hops presence in the nose. I'm hoping there's a bit more in the taste.

There is more. The smokiness doesn't overpower and lends a hand creating a coffee taste. My buddy said he got some unsweetened chocolate out of it, but I got a touch of soy sauce. We had different things to eat which may have contributed to this difference, or it was just our different palates. There is a very slight bitter edge beneath the sweetness, barely perceptible but there. Tastes like one of the English hops varietals...I'm thinking Fuggles due to any lack of aggression.

This beer is silky smooth and goes down quite nicely. I was surprised to see the ABV at 7.3% since there is no heat registering at all.

This is a nicely crafted beer that was served as part of a sampler or 5 other well-crafted brews. It is nice to know that there are some fine beers being brewed in the Garden State.

Oaked Smoked Porter on hand pump 7/28/2010, from my "notes". Only knew they had it because I saw the pump and asked, otherwise unadvertised.

A - Typical brown body, looked a little watery but that might just mean it was pretty clear. Because of the hand pump the head was generous and fluffy.

S - Smelled amazing. Oak was borderline overdone but that doesn't bother me, smoke was also quite apparent, both of these left little room for whatever the base porter deep underneath had to offer.

T - Again the Oak was center stage, and being slightly warm the flavors were really at their peak. Oak was good, smoke was balanced by oak ( the non oaked version I didn't love ). Really nice beer that I didn't expect to find, most of their stuff underwhelms me.

M/D - Medium to full body, really easy to drink. Considered a growler but I have too much in the que.

British malt smoked porter reads the description on this one.

Poured into a 4 oz slender sampler glass. Thin tan head and a very dark brown color (hard to tell with dim lighting).

Nice, noticeable smoked aroma. Nothing too intense, but enough to pick up on.

Taste is very wonderful - creamy and flavorful with a silky finish.

Micro bubble lacing on the glass as consumed.

This was the best of the three beers I consumed during my visit. Very well done.