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2005 Alaskan Smoked Porter
Juneau, Alaska
BJCP Category: 22B Other Smoked Beer
Alaskan Brewing Co. <visit site>
36
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[expand]Total Score: 40/50
Very drinkable and enjoyable. Certainly matches the “Other smoked beer” style category. I would like a bit more balance of the malt and hops with the smoke character. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Hickory smoky phenols up front with sharp edges to the character. No hop aroma. Malts are not discernable. Light berry-like fruitiness in the background. No DMS. No diacetyl. Some alcohol evident as a support role. (9/12)
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Appearance: Black color—appropriate to style. Opaque—OK. Thin but sustainable head. Moderate carbonation. (3/3)
Flavor: Hickory, bacon-like smokiness is most assertive. Smokiness is exhibited as aggressive phenols. There is a sweet, roasted and caramel maltiness balanced with moderately high hop bitterness. Some fruity esters. No/low diacetyl. No DMS. Hop flavor doesn’t come through. Alcohol presence seems a bit “hot.” Somewhat balanced aftertaste although smoke dominates. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium to medium-full body. Smooth mouthfeel with some alcohol warming. No astringency. (5/5)
Overall Impression: Very drinkable and enjoyable. Certainly matches the “Other smoked beer” style category. I would like a bit more balance of the malt and hops with the smoke character so that the base robust porter could be better appreciated. Perhaps the smoke will mellow over time. I’d also like some hop aroma and flavor to make a better robust porter. Still this would be dynamite with some smoked barbecue ribs. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 35/50
A rough and wild beer, reminiscent of the Northwestern frontier, it has a beauty all its own. Exhibits a meld of cultures, with native alder wood smoke and English base style. more >
[close]Total Score: 35/50
Aroma: Fresh, a little English type yeastiness on first pour. Hardwood barbecue type smoke up front, with a crystal malt emerging as the beer breathes. No hops detected. Sweet smoke is like a newly started campfire in the morning. Reminds me of bacon. (8/12)
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Appearance: Deep ruby; appears black at first but red highlights appear when held to the light. Medium and large bubbles form a tan head that dissipates rather quickly. A ring of tan bubbles hangs around the glass. (3/3)
Flavor: Some bacon flavors up front supported by a crystal maltiness. A firm roast character develops to dominate at the end, and is a little on the harsh side when combined with the smoke. Definitely a robust porter base. No hop flavor detected, though some bitterness is present in the finish. Finishes with a character similar to hanging around a campfire with smoke blowing in one’s face: a little smoky, a little woody, a little ash. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium carbonation; medium full body. A little sticky on the back of my tongue and lips. Hop bitterness lingers, mixing with roast astringency, akin to strong black French roast coffee. The bitterness and astringency keep the finish from becoming cloying. (3/5)
Overall Impression: A rough and wild beer, reminiscent of the Northwestern frontier, it has a beauty all its own. Exhibits a meld of cultures, with native alder wood smoke and English base style. Considering the specialty style description, the balance is a little skewed toward the big, bitter and roast, though the smoke is expertly applied. Best for an after-dinner drink—just before the cigars. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 36/50
Good beer that would benefit from a lower level of roasted malt. The smoke character is too subtle and has lost the battle to chocolate and/or black malts. more >
[close]Total Score: 36/50
Aroma: Smoky character is reminiscent of the smell of a jacket after an evening at the campfire. It is somewhat acrid with a noticeable sharpness and earthiness from the roasted malts. There is some sweet malt in the background and some esters, but also some plastic-like phenols that I associate with high levels of roasted or smoked malts. (8/12)
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Appearance: Very dark brown in color, approaching opaque. Beige head stays up for an impressively long time, and the clarity is pristine. (3/3)
Flavor: Roasted malt is the prevailing flavor. Some smokiness is evident, but it is not as well expressed as in the 1997 sample. Toffee and caramel malts provide an initial backbone but eventually give way to a sharp finish with an assertive roastiness. Hop bitterness seems high for a smoked beer, but may be amplified by the phenols from the roasted and smoked malts. Esters and alcohols lend some complexity. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Astringency is quite high and detracts from the drinkability. Good creaminess and carbonation, but a slightly fuller mouthfeel would help balance the intense roastiness. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Good beer that would benefit from a lower level of roasted malt. The smoke character is too subtle and has lost the battle to chocolate and/or black malts, rather than complementing them and providing complexity. Some aging may help mellow the flavors, but it may be tough to achieve the balance of the 1997 vintage. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 36/50
Let it age. Has a lot of interesting components but they haven’t melded yet (like a good chili, but on the first day). Robust porter character evident but smoke isn’t that identifiable. more >
[close]Total Score: 36/50
Aroma: Sharp aroma—smoke, alcohol, some fruit and earthy, floral hops. Smoke is moderately intense and has a light charcoal edge. Alcohol is fairly prominent. Some chocolate and sweet malt follow. Components aren’t integrated yet. Type of wood not readily evident. Smoke is fresh and sharp. (9/12)
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Appearance: Huge tan head, moussy and long lasting. Opaque. Brownish-black color with garnet highlights at edges. (3/3)
Flavor: Sharp smoke flavor—not mellowed out. Somewhat harsh finish accentuated by medium-high hop bitterness and flavor. Chocolate malt noticeable. Alcohol somewhat forward. Moderate esters. No faults but individual components are too distinct. Finish is somewhat rough. Smoke has a “black malt”-like acrid character. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: High carbonation. Medium-full body. Moderately hot alcohol. Creamy, mouth-filling and rich. High carbonation detracts somewhat from tasting the flavors. Some smoke-derived astringency. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Let it age. Has a lot of interesting components but they haven’t melded yet (like a good chili, but on the first day). Robust porter character evident but smoke isn’t that identifiable. Would prefer a more noticeable smoke by backing off on some of the base beer characteristics (or just let it age). High carbonation masks flavors and harsh finish leaves an unpleasant final impression. Lots of potential, though. Try it with a good charcoal-grilled steak (porterhouse, naturally). (7/10)
