Bottle from Asda Aberdeen Dyce. It pours near black with a small, bubbly lasting off-white head. The aroma is charred, dark roasted malt, heavy umami, savoury liquorice character, malt loaf, cacao.nibs and coffee grounds. The taste is firmly dry, punchy bitterness, dark roasted malt, burnt toast, charred vibes, umami, liquorice, dark chocolate, muted smoke, chewy and toasty spice with a rather drying, bitter roasted finish. Average body and soft carbonation. Maybe edging towards too much bitterness/dryness? No doubting it's flavourful thighs. Nice, just think it maybe needs a touch more balance.

Bottle from Asda. Clear brown body with a beige head. Steady carbonation. Faint lacing. Aroma of dried fruit and ash. Flavour of dark chocolate and roasted malt. Medium body with a smooth texture. Soft fizz. A nicely roasted porter.

Cask at Borough Arms, Crewe. Pours a dark reddish-brown with a medium sized foamy cream head and excellent lacing. It’s mainly roasted malts in the aroma, though there are hints of chocolate and lactose as well. In the mouth there is a little sweetness to start with before it quickly becomes quite bitter, with a smooth character. Initial flavour is roasted malts, dark fruits and raisins with cocoa coming through quite strongly later plus hints of nuts and liquorice. Finish is slightly dry. This is a decent robust porter.