A deep dark porter with a very thin mocha head. In aroma, sweet chocolate malt with dark fruits, light peated notes, dark fruits, pleasant. In mouth, a nice sweet chocolate malt with light peated notes, lighter bodied, pleasant. Bottle from 2012.

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Bottle. Pours a cloudy brown with small beige head. The aroma is strong smoke and pepper. Thin mouth, strong smoke, light roast, lingering dryness, good.

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8

22 oz bottle from De Bierkoning (batch # 86, bottled 15 Feb. ’13). Opened with a loud hiss. Black color with a huge beige head. Aroma’s of smoke, tar, sweetness, caramelvla, hints of (red) fruit. Flavor is moderate sweet, smoky with faint hints of fruity sourness. Medium bodied, high carbonation (at first). Finishes slightly ashy, and lightly bitter. Quite pleasant, albeit on the sweet side.

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

Bomber poured into a shaker. Pours a very dark brown with about 2 fingers of frothy khaki head. Aroma is mostly smoked malt with a decent bit of coffee. Taste is very smoky. Roasty smoked malt, beef jerky, a little coffee and something a little fruity. Full bodied with a thicker than expected texture. Lively carbonation and a very very long finish. Overall, very good. I’m betting this would pair great with some grilled burgers.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

Bottle courtesy of Kermis. Poured a dark mahogany with a thick off-white head. The aroma is a little flowery and medicinal leading to a peaty, earthy, smoky, medium to weak bitter flavour. The texture is a little oily. A super beer and highly drinkable.

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Bottle shared. Pours dark brown with a tan head. Aroma of burnt malt, smoke, light licorice, caramel, light coffee. Flavour is moderate sweet and bitter. Medium bodied with soft carbonation.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

66cl bottle courtesy of and shared with Kermis. Very thin head. No carbonation. Clear black pour. Nice smokey taste.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle. Wood smoke, sour milk, and light chocolate aroma. Dark black-brown with small head. Smoked meat and lightly sweet dark chocolate malt flavor. Lightly bitter herbal hops flavor. Nice beer.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Bottle. Meaty wood smoked malt, molasses, and chocolate aroma. Mahogany with a small tan head. Woody smoked malt, chocolate, earthy peat, and prune flavor. Medium body and carbonation.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle on Amtrak Train 27 - The Empire Builder ( from Binny’s South Loop) - 06/11/12. Very dark mahogony brown vergeing on light black with a thin tan head that retains well. Nose of smoked malts, molasses, liqourice, touch of chocolate. Tastes of smoked malts, chocolate, smoked bacon, dark toffee fudge, dark fruit notes. Nice balance with the smoke. Medium bodied, slightly spritzy carbonation which was the one disappointing element of this beer for me. Dry smoked finish, decent stuff overall.