Leave it to San Diego’s Stone Brewing Co. to come up with a new twist to an age-old favorite — Stone Smoked Porter. Stone is famous for its quirky, offbeat marketing. Their company logo features a gargoyle, names like “Arrogant Bastard Ale” and slogans such as “You’re not worthy!” are typical of their marketing strategy.

Stone is also famous for its superb beers and brewing innovation.

Their smoked porters is a perfect example.

According to popular (and probably incorrect) legend, porter was a drink invented by the consumers. Supposedly, English laborers, many of them porters (get the connection?) would stop at the local tavern after work for a tipple. However, they’d find the stouts offered were too strong and the standard ale too weak. So, they’d buy one of each and pour them together. And so, the porter was born.

Porter was one of the most popular beers on both sides of the Atlantic in colonial times. It is known that it was George Washington’s favorite drink. In fact, the Father of our Country was himself a brewer of no small repute. His personal recipe for porter is at the New York library.

What Stone did was to make a porter with specialty peat-smoked barley malt. Not only is this porter smoked, it is especially intense with 5.9 percent alcohol by volume and 53 International Bittering Units. This beer has pucker power! As this is a bottom-fermented ale, it should be served at about 55 degrees.

The pour revealed a dark, almost stout-like beer with a tan head that lasted throughout the entire drink. The lacing recorded each swallow.

But what really struck me on the pour was the aroma. I could smell it from two feet away. It was heavy and complex with the aroma of dark grains dominating. The hop bouquet was understated but admirably mixed with the aroma.

This theme of complexity was present in almost every aspect of the beer.

The first sip was an experience. At first, the smokiness dominated. But after a few seconds that faded and other tastes came to the forefront. There was a definite chocolate flavor that gave way to a medley of other sensations — roast barley, perhaps even some licorice.

The mouth feel is chewy. This is a very full-bodied beer with a lingering aftertaste.

This beer is for the adventurous. Full bodied, strong flavored and rich, it is a beer few Americans have experienced.

Stone Smoked Porter may be purchased at Jensen’s in Palm Springs. Look for its distinctive 22-ounce bottle with the gargoyle.

Rating
Aroma    10 of 12
Appearance    3 of 3
Flavor    18 of 20
Mouthfeel    5 of 5
Overall    9 of 10
Total    45 of 50 “Outstanding”

45-50    Outstanding
38-44    Excellent
30-37    Very Good
21-29    Good
14-20    Fair
00-13    Problematic