Those words are used to describe Founder’s Porter, one of the beers I enjoyed while watching football on Sunday. With only one weekend of football left to this season (did it fly by or is it just me?), I’m looking forward to enjoying the Super Bowl in DC with some college buddies and a few friends from my days in Northern Virginia. While I do plan on enjoying many a beverage over that weekend, I can’t be so sure that any of them will be better than this beer. I’m jumping ahead, but I don’t care…secret’s out. This beer is phenomenal.
A: I poured this from the bottle straight from the fridge into my Delirium Tremens tulip (R.I.P. as I managed to knock it off my countertop shortly after drinking this). Comes out dark as night…there is absolutely no light coming through this thing. Believe me, I tried to make it happen…flashlights and even the freaking sun couldn’t permeate through the darkness. I’m digging this. For the ABV, there’s surprising little head, and what I get from a somewhat aggressive pour is a small, light khaki froth. Usually porters are a little thinner than stouts…doesn’t seem to be the case here.
S: I’m hit hard with the aroma of coffee and the dark malts, which shouldn’t surprise me. I just wasn’t expecting as much of the coffee smell, but I’m okay with it. As it warms, there’s a hint of cocoa, but it’s dominated for the most part. Makes me wonder what sitting on a bottle of this would do in the way of muting the nose a little bit. Why would I want to do that though? This smells great.
T: About time to dip into this thing. Literally my notes say “Wow x 100”. I like it, I love it, I want an IV of this in my arm right this minute. No surprise that the coffee is right up front, but the cocoa takes a larger role here. Having had and thoroughly enjoyed the same brewery’s Breakfast Stout, this seems to be a little brother of sorts, which is a compliment. Believe me.
M: Amazingly smooth. I didn’t expect any hint of alcohol here with the ABV, but man does this thing consume your palate. It is, again, thicker than expected and a bit chewy, but not in a distracting way. Great lingering taste of the dark roast that I can’t get enough of.
Overall, this is probably the absolute best porter I have ever had. I love dark beers, and this one is going to have to rank up there with the all-time greats, especially due to its year-round availability and the fact that having two or three of these wouldn’t put me under the table. This is the type of beer to hang out with on a cold day and would also be great with dessert. Hell, the beer would be good anytime…just drink it. Prost!