ABV #3: Saranac - Caramel Porter

ABV #3: Saranac - Caramel Porter

This edition of Abbreviated Beer ‘view comes to you from a work Christmas party that I attended on Friday. With an open bar and about 20 beers on tap, I had a lot to choose from and this was one I hadn’t tried before.

Saranac - Caramel Porter

Enjoyed At: Pig’s Eye Pub in Hartford, CT

This porter is lightly smokey but is primarily sweet with caramel and crystalized sugars. Its not drying or especially hoppy, either. There’s not a a whole lot going on as far as depth of flavor goes. This one doesn’t stand out with any distinctive character. I had, what I believe to be, the first tap of the day. That might explain a bit of the astringency, but there was a definite, although minor, artificial tone to it.

Middling, but drinkable.

ABV #2: Smuttynose - Robust Porter

ABV #2: Smuttynose - Robust Porter

Abbreviated Beer ‘view is back in celebration of Thirsty Thursday, this time with a beer from Dublin Square in Bordentown. This location is a member of a not-a-chain of Irish-style Pubs primarily located in the West. Rest assured, each pub in the Auld Dublin group is independently owned and operated. Plus, the Bordentown location is merely a ‘Partner Pub.’

Smuttynose - Robust Porter

Enjoyed At: Dublin Square in Bordentown, NJ

This porter from Smuttynose of New Hampshire is robust in appearance and flavor. It’s smokey dry with piney hops and a thick creamy head which sits atop a not-too-heavy body of delicious beer. The head has great retention and produces great layered lacing. 

A worth-while and highly enjoyable porter for any fans of the style.

Well-played.

ABV #1: De Dolle - Ara Bier

ABV #1: De Dolle - Ara Bier

This is the first in a new, less frequent, series at Musings on Beer. The series, Abbreviated Beer ‘view (or, ABV for short, heh) will feature beers that I have out at bars or in places not conducive to a full review.

This time I kept the bottle to photograph in good light, but in the future you might be stuck with a crappy cell phone picture. Maybe I should get a pocket camera with a flash.

De Dolle - Ara Bier

Enjoyed At: The Half Door in Hartford, CT

I ordered the Extra Stout by De Dolle, but they were out. I got this instead. No complaints here. A great example of a Belgian Strong Pale Ale.

It packs strong and sweet underlying malts balanced off by tons of spices. They’re noticeable on the nose and they define the flavor. Tons of coriander and clove among others. It’s highly carbonated with a light and airy mouthfeel. The beer is also very citrusy and has a dry and crisp finish.

Excellent.