Clifford Brewing Co. Clifford Porter Porter at 5.9% ABV | 38 IBU (C$3.90 at NLC Stavanger, 473 ml, bottle date 2-Sep-2016, acquired 1-Nov-2016, reviewed 7-Nov-2016)
Appearance: near opaque deep brown with ruby highlights, two fingers of fluffy beige head, good retention and well-defined lacing. (5/5) Aroma: coffee, chocolate, sweet roasty malt, toasted bread, earthy, dark fruit, nutty. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Medium-full slightly slick body, moderate-low carbonation, drying and warming mildly bitter finish. (4/5)
Well, that was unexpected! A brewer I’d never heard of, doing a style that isn’t a particular favorite of mine – and it’s excellent. Deep, rich malt flavours are well balanced against a definite but not overwhelming earthy Fuggles hop presence. Slightly more bitter than is typical for the style, but not distracting or out of spec. Overall a well-balanced, smooth, and pleasant dark ale. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
