Founders Brewing Co. - Founders Porter

For the Ninth Beer of Christmas, we turn to the dark side.

Founders Brewing Company
Founders Porter

Maybe Palpatine offered this to Anakin. If so, who could blame him for going to the dark side?

Disclaimer: Porters are my favorite style of beer. That doesn't mean I love all porters, but I do want to try them all.

This one pours up almost as black as Vader's helmet. Can you tell that I haven't been to see The Force Awakens yet? Held up to a light, there are some coffee brown edges, but other than that it's like looking into a starless night sky. The head is tan and composed of tiny bubbles that leave only minimal lacing along the glass.

Dark chocolate is the primary scent. Floral hops combine with smokey malts and toasted pumpernickel to round out the aroma palette. The smoke and toast are faint while the chocolate and hops are pronounced and combine for a robust experience.

The flavor profile starts smooth and finishes robust. Bitter dark chocolate and roasted chocolate malts make up most of the flavor with bittering hops and smoke filling in the gaps. Big and bold, thick and chewy, Founders Porter defines the style "robust porter."

This isn't a starter porter. If you don't love a strong, dark beer, pass by this one. It might not be for you. However, if you like or love porter or stouts, grab a six pack of this. The Force is strong with this one.


Stats
Brewer: Founders Brewing Company
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Website: http://www.FoundersBrewing.com/
Style: Porter (American)
Alcohol Content: 6.50% ABV
Interesting Note: Founders takes it upon themselves to educate people about the craft beer. If you're in Grand Rapids, check out one of their classes: Sensory Evaluation, Palate Exploration, and Beer 101. If you can't make it up there for a class, you can at least download a desktop, phone, or tablet wallpaper: http://foundersbrewing.com/downloadables/.

Cedar Creek Brewery - Scruffy's Smoked Alt

For the Second Beer of Christmas, we went old school. Or, rather, alten Schule.

Cedar Creek Brewery
Scruffy's Smoked Alt

At only two years of age, Cedar Creek Brewery creates session-able beers with complex flavors. Scruffy's Smoked Alt is my favorite from their line up.

Golden-amber, the 16 ounce can makes for a full glass, especially with the head of large bubbles that form on top and quickly give way to a thin cap of small bubbles. The cap clears away quickly, though, and leaves little to no lacing on the glass and only the slightest ring of bubbles around the edge.

A faint campfire smell, like when you burn a light wood, wafts from the glass. It's pleasant and accompanies subtle floral hops and the sweetness of apples.

Some smoke beers - Rauchbiers, if you're German - are overpowering. But, true to Cedar Creek's mission of creating session-able drinks, the smoke is in the background and adds to the flavor rather than ruling it. Semi-sweet malt, pears, and fresh yeast make up most of the flavor of this medium body beer.

Even though this is definitely a session beer, the smoke flavor does build. Similar, I suppose, to how some spicy foods build until your mouth is on fire. It's not that bad, but after a couple, you'll probably want some water before you open a third. And you will want a third.

Stats
Brewer: Cedar Creek Brewery
Location: Kemp, Texas
Website: http://www.cedarcreekbrewery.com
Style: Smoked Beer
Alcohol Content: 5.10% ABV
Interesting Note: Located an hour southeast of downtown Dallas, Cedar Creek Brewery welcomes two and four legged visitors. They are dedicated to the proper care and treatment of animals and support local animal shelters. The really cool thing is that we can help them in their mission while enjoying their tasty beers.