First sip is pretty damn good. It is very, very smoky with some oatmealy and coffee hints laying around with caramel and even some toffee peaking out. It's actually very good. It definitely smacks of porter more than anything, and even though I've had these before, I find myself wondering if I could really tell the difference between a black ale and a porter.
Tip-in is a smoky start with toasted malts and heavily cooked oatmeal. The middle hits with some floral hops and carbonation with the oatmeal starting to get scorched into a more coffee taste. As the finish hits, there is a well-tamed bitterness that is held back expertly by the malt. There is a blooming of the flowers from the hops as the taste starts to fade.
Bottom Line: A delightful beverage, indeed.
4.5/5