Review - Rock Art Brewery's Midnight Madness Smoked Porter
"Grab your darts and let's go! This is a dark ruby red porter with a medium body. A slight hint of smoke is detected from a small portion of grains used that are smoked with beechwood. Pale, chocolate, black and crystal grains are also used with Northern Brewer and East Kent Golding hops." -- Rock Art Brewery
The Midnight Madness Smoked Porter appears light and dark brown during the pour and settles into a dark murky body. The medium size fizzy brown head appears like a layer of cream on top, but diminished fully over time. The smokey - burnt malt aroma was very dominant, it reminded us of Beef Jerky and smoked beef. It's a very strange smell for a beer. The initially pleasing light sweet malt taste becomes increasingly bitter over time. The bitterness hung out on the palate for a long duration. It's not thick, as you might expect a dark beer to be, but has a slightly thin, watery body which left an oily presence on the palate. This was the second smoked porter that I have ever tried (first one was a Sebago smoked porter from draft) and I enjoyed this one much better. Ian wasn't too much of a fan and Amber enjoyed it. Smokey the bear would have detected a fire, but it was not too over powering, making it more drinkable. Comments: "Smells good - like beef jerky" - Ian; "Very Strong and powerful, smokey - salty - and a cured beef taste" - Sean. "It smells like we are sitting next to a camp fire" - Amber.
Reviewed on August 23rd, 2007.
