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There were only three types of Common John beer available at the local beer slinger the last time I went. That is the reason that I'm only reviewing three of them. The fact is, I believe they've all been pretty good, and they remind me of tasting the beer at the brewery. I suppose it helps that I am so close to where they operate in Manchester, Tennessee. A porter is one of my favorite styles of beer, and I am expecting that they will do it justice.
Black beers are black, and there's just no getting around it. Technically, this is very, very dark brown, and it has a tan head that fizzles away to a ring around the sides and just a few scattered bubbles on top. The aroma is smoky malt and earth. It doesn't say on the can if this is a straight porter or, possibly, an imperial porter. I expect from the scent that it is imperial. That said, I actually just saw on the can that it says it's an American porter. I don't know what that is. I guess we are going to find out together.
First sip is solid malt, but the malt is not sweet. I have a lot of earth, a little brown sugar, and some nuts. The reason that I specify that it's not sweet is because of the intense dryness of the finish. I haven't gone for the full swig yet, but this is a grown up beer that will not dally with dessert beers or coddling. As a result, this is quite straightforward, and that is in line with the ethos of Common John's blue collar persona. I wonder if these guys are going to do some kind of collab with Yee Haw.
Tip-in is dry, nutty, and has earth giving it a weighty substance. The middle comes alive with carbonation sparkling across the top of the mouth as brown sugar eases into the dirt and nuts. The finish is nuts and darkness that cling on to dryness for the trail off.
Bottom Line: Not a bad porter.
3.5/5
