Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, California
Style: Robust Porter
Serving Style: 22 oz bottle

Aroma: Chocolate and caramel with subtle roast. Light fruity notes, raisin. Oats.
Appearance: Pitch black with a big and persistent tan head. Loads of lace.
Flavor: Caramel coffee dusted with bittersweet chocolate. Light burnt raisin and burnt sugar/blackstrap molasses. Late in the palate an aggressive hop bitterness asserts itself with a pronounced citrusy hop flavor. Alcohol is noticeable. Finish lingers on hops and roast malt.
Mouthfeel: Alcohol warmth. Creamy on the outset but an astringency sets in when the hops kick in. Medium carbonation.
Overall Impression: A big and full bodied, roasty robust porter. I’d be inclined to call this a Baltic porter. The citrusy hops are a little too much for me and clash with the caramel/coffee flavors. Astringency also detracts.