Jalapeno Smoked Porter - Country Boy Brewing

CSQ1111

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%

11-16-2012 22:02:31 | More by CSQ1111

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

03-24-2013 01:56:46 | More by TwelveOunces

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -9.6%

03-18-2013 22:39:10 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Screw-top growler received via Growling at the Moon from Stonequarrywest. Thanks for the brew, Gabe!

First stein pours with a 1/4" tan head over the slightly cloudy reddish brown brew. Head dwindles at an average pace, with slow-falling lace. Aroma is deeply of peppers, which is as advertised.

Taste starts with smoke, pepper comes on in the middle, and then they meld nicely through the close. Mouthfeel is pretty smooth, and drinkability is good. Not the biggest pepper fan in the world, but the flavors come together artfully in this brew.

Serving type: growler

10-31-2012 20:48:15 | More by ppoitras

damngoode

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

10-17-2012 00:49:22 | More by damngoode

haddon

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -9.6%

05-26-2012 18:12:47 | More by haddon

mrfrancis

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a virtually opaque black with a creamy, lingering beige head.

S: Aromas of woodsmoke, fresh jalapeno, bitter chocolate, coffee beans, and heavy cream fill the nose. There is a slight, herbal, almost tobacco-like aroma that emerges as the beer warms in the glass. Overall, very intriguing.

T: Mild, spicy notes of jalapeno are quick to express themselves, followed by notes of bitter chocolate, cinnamon, heavy cream, woodsmoke, dried tobacco, coffee, leather, and moist earth. The finish is beautifully dry, elegant, and poised with an expert combination of tobacco, chocolate, coffee, and jalapeno flavors.

M: This ale is medium in body and mildly oily. Carbonation is unobtrusive; in fact, it is barely noticeable. Despite its stillness in the mouth, this ale remains quite drinkable, as more pronounced carbonation would render the spice from the jalapenos overpowering.

O: If there is one ale that just begs to be accompanied by a good cigar, this is the one. The rich spice of the peppers and the earthy, leathery notes from the hops would pair perfectly with a good smoke and/or a dinner of smoked meats and vegetables. I'd love to try this with an Alec Bradley Prensado or a robust Cohiba. Make a point to try this beer if you should stop for a drink in Lexington.

Serving type: growler

05-16-2012 00:43:08 | More by mrfrancis

Magery

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%

03-29-2012 19:05:48 | More by Magery

ortie

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -3.6%

02-15-2012 01:55:15 | More by ortie

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Every now and then, a surprise comes along in the most obvious and ingenious forms: Jalapeno Smoked Porter delivers to the bar adorned with a sliver of jalapeno pepper cleverly affixed to the glass. Think hefeweizen, just darker and zestier; and with much better attempt to complement the beer.

Aside from the bright green vegitable, the beer fits the Porter bill with a dark onyx-like opaque brown hue. The beer delivers a creamy/froathy light tan head that retains and laces much better than expected when considering that the pepper oils should have impeeded the foam character much more than it does. Quite impressive!

Aroams of smoke, spice, coffee, and cocoa deliver a clean and well-balanced set of aromas to the olfactories with a dedicated blend of aromatics. Malty with the notion of heavy cream is a nice contrast the the spice of pepper and to round of the moderate scent of roasted grain. No real fruitiness or yeasty spice allows the malt and pepper to define the beer.

Flavors of malted barley, bittersweet chocolate, french-press coffee, and caramel provide the underpinning while the dance of zesty jalapeno gives a bright and playful vegetal taste that's a great substitution for American hops. As the taste of pepper subsides, the clean earthy bitterness from hops provides the balance in finish to accompany the light roast and coffee bitterness.

Rich and boldly textured, the lighter carbonation allows the weight of the liquid to rest on the palate and gives a silky, velvety feel- a great mouthfeel that avoids the prickle of carbonation that may have amplified the heat of the pepper too much. Creaminess receeds at mid palate and the spicy dryness of jalapeno, hops, and mild alcohol warmth closes the beer and does so with an aftertaste of pepper and chocolate.

Despite the intimidation of jalapeno, it doesn't take an advanced palate to appreciate and enjoy this peppered Porter. The finesse in balance is impecable as the base Porter is very well formulated and executed, while the peppers add a touch of pep and interest and without offense.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 21:33:03 | More by BEERchitect