Notes from March 2009 3.95/5 rDev -0.5% look: 3.5 - smell: 3.5 - taste: 4.5 - feel: 3 - overall: 4 On tap at the Yard's Smoke'em If You Got'em Beer & BBQ event on the last Friday during Philly Beer Week. Inconspicuously labeled as smoked imperial porter 8.2%. Black & brown average pour into my souvenir mug thrice over. Minimal tan head. Smells of burnt nuts, bitter coffee, & sweet bbq char(note: nothing at that event was particularly charred except for the selection of ribs, which weren't particularly good). A somewhat bitter licorice flavor gets noticed with a good amount of char. So does a minimal amount of coffee grounds. Malt & cola soak up any extremes. A good change of pace from everything else on tap that day. Smoke wasn't particularly overpowering or resonating with the added char sweetness. Feel was very carbonated. It thinned it out a bit too much, to the point where it didn't exactly feel like a porter. Alcohol wasn't exactly well hidden, but it was expected. I'd surely order up another if I could find it. A nice change of pace from always grabbing their rauchbier(which I love). Do it again, & bottle it this time. :)

Rustico, Ballston tap: pours black with a light tan head. Aroma is a bit of smoke and some dark chocolate plus some heavy malts. Taste is smoky and chocolate. Smoky aftertaste hangs out for a while. Nice body in general. Pretty good.

4-10-09......growler from Phoenixville location...dark dark brown with ruddy hues...very small beige head....sweet smoky flavors.....simple yet very palatable...a smoky aroma with a hop hint....drinks easy and smooth a taste of coffee and roasted malt....this is one balanced beer!