(On tap at Bar Volo, March 20 2014) Pours black with a bubbly tan head that left some lace. Aroma of slightly smoky roasted malt, some light coffee, fairly restrained meaty sort of smoke, and a little red wine-type fruitiness. Flavour follows the nose fairly well, there’s sweetness to the malts that works with the fruit character, roast/coffee/chocolate porter elements are definitely there, smoke is pretty mild and the subtlety means the smoke and fruit don’t fight. Finish has a sweet fruity malt core that offsets the astringency of smoke, roast and a bit of bittering hops. Mouthfeel is quite full and creamy with soft carbonation, alcohol hidden. Not always a fan of smoked beers but I thought this was a good take on the style.

A deep dark stout with a thin mocha head. In aroma, nice and smoked herring, organic and woody. In mouth, smooth, sweet chocolate with peaty smoked notes, nice. On tap at A Night with Amsterdam and Friends, Feb 2 2013.