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It’s been far too long since my last beer review. Enough goofing around! Tonight I have the pleasure of introducing the 2006 Smoked Porter from Alaskan Brewing Co.:

The temperature outside, and the fact that I turned the thermostat controller from air conditioning to heat the other night, tells me it is time to start hauling out the dark beers. Stouts and porters are going to be assuming a larger role in my beer consumption activities for a while, though I won’t be able to turn down an inviting IPA or Amber ale from time-to-time.

But tonight it is the Alaskan Smoked Porter. This beer has quite a reputation for being one of the best smoked porters - if not one of the best porters, period - around. However, I am taking my first sips of this beer tonight. How did I like it?

The nose is very much of dark toasty malts, a bit of coffee and some light chocolate notes.

The beer pours a dark brown with ruby red highlights where the light passes through the glass. No head atop, but I really poured this thing a bit on the cold side. I should have let it sit out at room temperature for a bit.

The flavors are just awesome. I realized quickly that I poured it at too cold of a temperature and let it warm up a bit in the glass. The flavors really popped as it warmed. Deep, dark malty sweetness right off the bat gives way a bit, but smooths out the molasses and toasted wood flavors that dominate the middle through the finish. It’s a sticky sweet smoky gift to the senses it is. This beer just tastes so good I can’t even tell you You’ll just have to find it and see for yourself.

The mouthfeel is solid - about what you’d expect from a good porter. Carbonation is set fairly low and the malted grain flavors are allowed to star in this show.

Overall, 10/10. Easily one of the very best porters I’ve ever tasted. I wish I would have picked up a six-pack of these instead of a single bomber. Dark beers are always sippers for me, and this one is no exception. A 22 oz. bomber is more than enough for me, and at 6.5% ABV, this lightweight isn’t going to last through more than that anyway. Highly recommended.

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