Road Dog Porter
Presentation: 12 oz. brown long-neck bottle poured into an American pint glass. Visual: Pours thick and black with a tannish white head that disappears quickly. A full glass is deep dark brown with copper hues. No lace is left behind. A bit clearer than the average porter. Aroma: Strong roasted malts are first present with notes of espresso, old coffee grounds, and strong cinnamon. Milder/sweeter notes of caramel, butterscotch, and licorice balance out the overly-burnt coffee nose. Taste: Very similar to the aroma, old/burnt coffee is predominant in the back of the tongue. Caramel/toffee notes are balanced by the spiciness of cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar (reminiscent of crumble cake). A dry smokiness and hop profile provide a crisp bite at the end that unfortunately distract from the sweetness that this porter attempts to reach. Overall: Medium bodied with a smooth mouthfeel, this porter is better paired with food rather than drank as a session beer. Minimal carbonation holds back its potential. It is definitely not one of the better porters out there, and would be better if it strayed away from the hops and relied more on its unique licorice flavors and aromas. Due to its smoky/hoppy profile, it should probably avoid being paired with deserts (like most porters/stouts can be) and would better be paired with rich meats and sauces -- preferably matching its smokiness (i.e. smoked salmon, bbq glazes, etc.) Cheers!