I've had a rather protracted siesta from writing since I tackled the last brew review and I have a stack of beer notes piling up on my desk. A few weeks ago I decided to cut back my beer consumption to weekends only in a weak attempt to stay in shape and not become an alcoholic. If I can make myself crank out some catch up reviews I should be able to fall into a regular two or so new reviews per week. We'll see how that works...
To ease back into things I've decided to dig out the notes on yet another brew in what is easily one of my favorite styles, the Porter. This one made the short trip down from Atlanta, provided by my new good friends at the Red Brick Brewing Co. (formerly Atlanta Brewing Co.). You may know the name already from their quirky and ultra-recognizable Amber Ale, Laughing Skull. The Porter is the first beer I've tried out of Red Brick, and it was relatively blind. I hadn't heard much about them before buying this one, but their distinctly Southern sit-around-and-drink-beer-time air and "Beer from Around Here" slogan tickled my fancy just how I like it.
Appearance: Medium thick on the pour with a clear walnut brown body. A fat, sticky, two finger beige head propped istself up from a gingerly pour, and stuck around for the full dirt-lip tour.
Smell: On the first pass a pure chocolate aroma dominated. After giving it a few goes around I could pick out a bit of hops and sweet sugar cane, but it mostly smells of scandalous chocolate on top of chocolate action.
Taste: A simple and unassuming chocolate taste. Very smooooth (my notes directly indicate the smoothness factor of 4 "o"s) and a little sweet, but well balanced.
Mouthfeel: Coats the mouth nicely and hangs on the tongue just enough. Velvety smooooth feel following the taste's lead. If anything a little too thin for the taste and style.
Drinkability: Again quoting directly from my notes, "Yes!". With a little more thickness in the mouth and a sucker-punch of robustness or bitter in there I might be a fanboy. It's simple, it's got great flavor and it's very yummy for the drinker with a tiny bit of a sweet tooth. Fans of the American Porter at large should definitely give it a go. I would gladly drink this one all bbq long, and surely will at some point in time, hopefully soon.
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Links:
Red Brick Brewing Co. Website
Beeradvocate Page
ratebeer Page
