Samuel Adams Honey Porter
Originally reviewed on 4-15-08, re-reviewing now after nearly a year of BA membership, beer exploration, and experience writing reviews. Original scores: 4, 4.5, 3, 3.5, 3.5 A: Very dark brown pour with a thick, meringue-like head that settled with a nice little foamy mesa in the middle. Excellent head retention. Lacing was thick and sticky on the glass. A wonderful appearance. New score: 4.5 S: Strong honey aromas, dark fruit, burnt sugar, and black malt. Highly nuanced, yet bold. However, not in the upper echelon of porter-aromas. New score: 4 T&M: What a difference a year makes. It's got a nice balance of roasted flavors and sweetness. Caramel and honey flavors blend wonderfully with roasted barley, dark coffee, and dark fruits. The honey is subtle, but still appreciable. Body is medium with a smooth, delicate mouthfeel. Really a solid beer. New scores: 4 and 4. D: Nice flavor, appropriate body, and smooth finish--all make this beer quite drinkable. I'm glad I revisited this one--it's definitely one to keep in mind for my regular rotation for the future. New score: 4