Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company [MyBreweryTap.com

This bottle of Smuttynose Robust Porter turned up in the third instalment of MyBreweryTap.com‘s US 52 Week Beer Club and I have to say I think it’s quite possibly the best US52WBC bottle so far (perhaps with the exception of old-favourite Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter).

An aroma of rich, dark chocolate hits you as soon as you crack the top. The pour is slow and smooth, with a thick tan head forming (although, sadly, not remaining long) on top of an almost opaque ebony body. The flavour is all about the big, dark, roast-malts, with another hit from that dark, dark chocolate up front, gradually giving way to a sharp coffee-bitterness. There are other flavours in play as well; a sliver of coconut, a sprinkling of pepper. But if you imagine a mocha made with Italian espresso and 90% cocoa chocolate and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what Smuttynose Robust Porter is all about.

I’m enjoying this one as I type (as-live Tasting Notes, folks!) and I hope to enjoy another one before too long; I’m pretty sure I’ve seen bottles of this one in both the Port Street Beer House and the Euston Tap. Next time I’m short of draught inspiration – or just fancy something dry, bitter-sharp and deeply, deeply roasted – then I think this is the bottle I’ll re-visit.