Fade To Black (Volume 2 - Smoked Baltic Porter) - Left Hand Brewing Company

Tilley4

Tennessee

5/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

What a bad ass this is... I picked this up on a recent jaunt to the bottle shop... Liked the first edition and I love smoked porters (see Sue) so I had to grab it...

Pours into my DFH signature a jet black, thick and creamy looking with a lush creamy head of mocha... Its not brown, its not almost black, its completely midnight black... Void of light...

Huge roasted malt aromas that have been infused with smoky bacon and ham hocks and a good dose of cocoa... Its aroma heaven as far as a Baltic Porter goes and in my top 5 overall... Its intense and smoky and dense.. As if I'd stepped into an old smokehouse (which I have-I live in TN) and inhaled deeply...

A velvety blend of smoky bacon, dark roasted chocolate malts, good ol smoked ham hocks, and a touch of caramel sweetness on the finish... Its a sipper, for sure... Intense and smoky but in the best possible way.. It doesn't seem overdone or overworked to me... Its just right...

Best Baltic Porter I've ever had and that's a no brainer... Its a 5 for the style which is what I'm rating it on... Top 10 beer easily as well... This needs to be a seasonal... Nice for the winter...

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2011 15:21:04 | More by Tilley4

McNealc31

Ohio

4.68/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

They describe Fade to Black as a smoked Baltic porter. Pours black with a thin, dark tan head. The smoke is definitely there, along with some meat notes. This really does taste a bit like bacon, but with more smoke. The mouthfeel is somewhere between heavy medium and light heavy. It certainly has some body, but it's not really heavy. There's a bit of malt sweetness in the finish as this is more malty than hoppy.

I think it's delicious

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2011 01:42:10 | More by McNealc31

WoodBrew

Illinois

4.68/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Winters last kick here outside the Windy City...what do you need to break the winter blues...a AWESOME PORTER...BABY!!! YEAH! You are not able to see through this delightful treat! Its black...almost navy. The tan creamy head gives way to a very nice lace! The aroma is roasty, earthy, and coffee. Which feeds right into the taste! I love the creamy body on this beer....make you aware you are drinking a porter! The high ABV would make it tought to Session...but I might try!!! Enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2011 01:19:26 | More by WoodBrew

PorterLambic

Florida

4.65/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours luxuriously black. A dark tan layer of foam that looks oh so much like the top of a cake. Decent retention, some lace.
Smell is rich with toasted malt, smoke, peat, vanilla and coffee. Great balance.
Taste is phenomenal. Notes of roasted malt, coffee, smoke, whiskey, soy and vanilla(light). Amazing balance.
Rich, mostly full-bodied, light effervescence, almost creamy, smooth throughout. Aftertaste fades nicely to a smoky, dryish, teriyaki flavor. Absolutely first rate brew. Only knock is I'd like a bit more body.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2011 01:22:30 | More by PorterLambic

uabjeff

Alabama

4.63/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've been wanting to try this beer for a while now. I have to say I was hooked by the description and the art on the container and the label. It pours, black, black, black. No light gets through it. It has a finger or so of tan head that dissipates pretty quickly and leaves some sparse lacing.

The smell is smoky and intriguing, roasted malt with hints of chocolate, coffee and caramel, but the smokiness dominates.

The flavor is pure smoky sweetness with layers of flavor. Chocolate, caramel, coffee, oak, possibly vanilla, but none of it overpowering, it has layers and some subtlety to it. The finish is really incredible: kind of a burnt caramel that lingers. Really quite pleasant.

This beer has a medium to medium heavy body with little carbonation. It has a somewhat milky feel to it, very smooth.

I have to say this is one of may favorite beers. I've had several porters, but never a Baltic porter, so I'm not sure how it compares to others, but it is a very enjoyable beer to drink. There is a local restaurant that has a white chocolate bread pudding that I would love to pair with this beer. I think the result would be a very pleasant vegetative state.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2011 16:04:11 | More by uabjeff

JamnesCameron

Illinois

4.6/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter.

Pours a jet black (little on the dark side), with a light tan head that drops rather quickly. Signs of lacing.

Aroma of burnt, roasted malts, dark roasted coffee, and light smoke.

First sip is of dark roasted malts, coffee, smoke, website says smoked munich (smoked with hackberry, not sure what that is). A spicy note, from perhaps the rye. Some hop bitterness toward the end. Long lasting finish is slightly sweet, burnt, and smokey.

Mouthfeel is full, chewy, lightly carbonated. Mouthcoating dark roasted flavors.

Dangerously drinkable beer. Nice subtle notes of smoke. Base beer is a little heavy on the roast flavors for a baltic porter, and a little too dark. But overall, very nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2011 02:48:05 | More by JamnesCameron

MarcatGSB

Michigan

4.58/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured in tulip

A: Jet black, very low amount of light brown head. Noticeably low carbonation.

S: Molasses. Wonder aroma. The nose could have been a bit stronger, but as the beer warmed up, the roasted and smoky aromas were front and center.

T: Great balance between coffee, smoke, and the malt. Really enjoyable. Glad to taste the smoky-ness.

M: Great full bodied mouth feel to it. A bit acidic, but nothing over whelming. This is a satisfying porter.

D: Easy drinking Porter, with a great flavors. The 7.80 ABV does not stand out, but was appreciated.

Overall: Great Porter. Up against Bells Porter, Edmund Fitz Porter, Sierra Nevada Porter, and Founders Porter, it holds its own. I would probably purchase this over the Bells Porter, due to the slightly higher ABV.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2011 16:49:48 | More by MarcatGSB

homebrew311

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Now this is a series of beers I could get used to. I loved volume one and I absolutely love the fact that it is packaged in an affordable 6 pack (and very cool artwork).

A: pours pitch black, opaque, no light passage. Some cocoa colored head and a fair amount of lacing. Decent retention.

S: big notes of mequite smokiness up front paired with roasted barley, chocolate, and coffee. The smoke is center stage here but doesn't overpower.

T: the taste isn't quite as smokey as the nose suggests, rather it is loaded with roasted barley and cocoa powder character with highlights of smoke. Very well balanced, not too smokey. The finish is a touch sweet which is a nice end to a big roasty beer.

MF: medium body that leaves a silky texture on the palate. Mellow carbonation.

D: wow, this is a well crafted smoked beer, and as mentioned before, an insanely good value. I recommend this to any imperial stout/porter aficionado ..you will not be disappointed. This one is up there with the big boys of the style (Surly Smoke, Alaskan Smoked Porter)

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 03:57:07 | More by homebrew311

csiewert

Oregon

4.53/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Wow... This is a unique beer. Pours a jet black color with a finger of tan foamy head. The aroma is fantastic! Smells like coffee at a BBQ. The taste has the same characteristics with a hint of chocolate and oatmeal. The mouthfeel is the only detractor with a slight sensation of overcarbonation at the very beginning. The finish is smooth however and leaves you with a sensation of calm.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2011 21:54:37 | More by csiewert

Spider889

Ohio

4.53/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Live review.

Thanks to my wife for getting me this six-pack for Christmas.

After a fairly tall pour I got a huge three finger head in my Duvel tulip. The head is a rich toffee color, very dense and with excellent retention. The beer itself is black as night, and cascades through the thick head with each sip. Quite beautiful.

Awesome lace screens the inside of my glass as well, which I am constantly impressed with when drinking out of a glass as wide as my Duvel tulip.

Smells of really rich, decadent caramel, toffee, charred wood, and smoke. The smoke is not overpowering, nor does it have an overly acidic sweetness like some smoked beers do - I prefer it this way. Oats waft in, and coffee undertones smooth it all out. Delicious is all I have to say about it.

Tastes great. This is the second to last beer in the sixer so I went all out on the pour - releasing the best head to date, but in turn diminishing the carbonation on the palate. I should have been slightly more conservative, as this beer usually imparts a strong vibrant carbonation that is pleasing to the senses.

Coffee and sweet chocolaty smoke provide a dark beer to ponder. This style of porter is great, as it is denser and heavier than some so-called stouts (I like a heavy stout, so a heavy porter is always welcome too). The finish is bitter and sticky.

Medium bodied beer (but a heavy body for a porter imo). High carbonation if you pour conservatively. Smooth and sticky, the flavors linger for minutes - which is not a bad thing for this beer.

I found this very drinkable. It makes up for the poor showing by BA Wake Up Dead from one of my favorite larger craft breweries. Left Hand has a certain deftly innate ability to craft very solid beers. This is one of their finest, and I would buy this year-round if it were available.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2011 03:22:56 | More by Spider889

alexgash

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle.

Very dark, used motor oil body. Steady finger of lasting, dense, dark khaki head. Nice lacing. Nose of dark chocolate, black licorice, roasted coffee, earthy peat, and a hint of campfire.

Meaty, roasted malts up front. Coffee bitterness sits above smoky dark chocolate, roasted barley, and some earthy tobacco. Faint sweetness, with a little dark fruit in there, but the smoky, earthy roastedness steals the show (with an applause from this drinker). Flinty, lingering smoke, semi-sweet chocolate and coffee bitterness in the finish. Full-bodied, with a nice chewy feel. Terrific beer and a cool label to boot!

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2010 01:37:43 | More by alexgash

Jips

Kansas

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

"Smoked" "Baltic Porter" How can I not love this beer!?

Poured into a mug. Definetly motor oil-looking, hardly any fizz or foam formed as I poured. Still, about a 1cm dark tan head formed atop brown-black daaarkness.

Smell: Dominant campfire, coffee, chocolate, + a little fig and carmel. Ohhh man love those in stout/porters.

Taste: Brown sugaa, coffee, toffee, chocolate, dark fruits and a lingering pleasant campfire. Latter is not harsh at all (though I love harsh smoke taste in roggenbiers and O'Fallon's Smoke) despite what I expected from the smell. Have a lingering taste of chocolate similarly found in a proper s'more left on my tongue.

Mouthfeel is in between syrup and milk, definitely went down much easier than the pour indicated.

Oh man I'm sad it's a once only! Though I can't wait what Left Hand will do differently next year. Will definitely pick up more. Wish this came in breathstrip form so I can taste it all day

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2011 02:08:02 | More by Jips

DesMoinesMike

Iowa

4.47/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at el Bait Shop. Almost completely black with a thick layer of brown foam that leaves heavy lacing. The aroma is sweet and nutty. The taste has a bit of a twinge at first that settles into a very pleasant sweet malt taste with nut with a touch of caramel. When I say smooth, I mean exceptionally smooth with a good aftertaste that leaves me wanting more. I will definitely have more of this one.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2011 22:49:00 | More by DesMoinesMike

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

big thanks to rich for sending me down the sixer. i cracked this one open with lunch today.

very dark pour, nearly totally black with nice hints of brown around the edges and a head of light tan that sat on top throughout the entire session really quite nicely. aroma of roasted malts and peat, campfire smoke and a rich chocolate note.nice mixed of flavors here with loads rich campfire smoke. lots of caramel and hints of dark notes as it warms. smooth and lightly sweet in the finish i was quite impressed with it overall.

nice and solid beer, not sure about the baltic porter as the style, but very nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2011 22:41:00 | More by mikesgroove

Tabni

Florida

4.45/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Dark pitch black color. Great smell of toasted chocolates. Taste is just a clean smoked taste of dark chocolates and espresso. Serious drink, it's like eating a dark cacao bar. Drinkability is good, goes down quick at the beginning but the aftertaste puts you back in track. A strong porter and another seasonal gem by Left Hand.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2010 07:01:54 | More by Tabni

rembrant

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Looks- Pretty black. Paint it black kind of dark with a 1" head that's a mocha brown. some lace,quite notable viscosity film.

Aromas are deep roast malts,strong espresso and smoke well entwined. There's flickers of dark fruit and molasses.

Flavor. The Smoke is nothing lke a Schlenkerla Marzen,intense and Bacon. This is in balance with the Porter. Ft Collins Z,a lager, is lighter on the smoke. Fore,from Dark Horse,has a bit deeper smoke,balancing well for a Stout. This,as a Porter is in between. The smoke does not at all dominate but is evident as it duels with the classic Porter notes,then joins a woody-earthy hops in the finish. The Porter is on the dry side with just an early tease of sweet. It then gets hearty and rich,yet is just really kind of a medium density Porter that seems fuller and more complex because the smoke was done so well. I've been Fading to Black quite a bit..it's a good beer.

Mouthfeel is not sweet or syrupy overall but there's some stickiness and viscosity that lets it be both wet and husky. This is also a beer with a good flavor over a full range of temperatures. I hope it's around in the summer.
As for Drinkability,I like it and was not intimidated. The smoke is not at all harsh or unwelcome,and enhances the beer,without hiding it.

Note...EXCELLENT cooking beer. 1/3 bottle made a great mushroom gravy. Another time I used a shot on some brats.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2011 05:03:37 | More by rembrant

feylure

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is some good stuff! Bottled 12/21/10.

It pours very well with a small about of carbonation. It's almost pitch-black except for a light brown tinge around the edges of the glass.

Smells quite like a bitter sweet malt flavor.

Taste is amazing. Deep, dense smokey/dark-chocolate flavors with just enough carbonation to enhance the flavor. It feels like a thin or light syrup hugging my tongue. It finishes quite seamlessly with a lingering bitter-smokey taste.

I find it to be quite drinkable, and I know I will enjoy the other five out of the six-pack.

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2011 20:06:53 | More by feylure

cosmicevan

New York

4.45/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

big thanks to cfh64 for sending me an amazing surprise thank you box that included this!

a - opened the bottle and filled my CCB snifter. black hole with some liquid shine. thin bubbled head that bubbled away quick. has a bit of a brownish tint to it.

s - very nice. chocolate roastiness. all malt. wonderful smelling porter.

t - even roastier than the nose. again, chocolate...burnt wood...and a malt party.

m - standard porter tingle. much smoother than i'd normally expect.

o - overall, this is an excellent beer. really fine example of a robust porter with wonderful bold flavors. very excellent.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2011 03:43:03 | More by cosmicevan

kylehay2004

Florida

4.45/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Single finger tan head on a jet lack background with no light getting through. Sweet chocolate and roasted malt, more like a stout, with coffee notes. Sharp coffee and roast up front which transitins to a sweet chocolate and vanilla finish. Intermixed bitter nd musty hips. Moderate carbonation and full bodied. Very smooth and surpisingly drinkable. More stout like than a porter though.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2012 01:37:50 | More by kylehay2004

acrobatic

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - dark as a porter can get - similar to a Black IPA. Nice tan head which dissipates to the placid liquid platform

S - smoky malts like my clothes after a night at the fire pit during a nice session

T- the smell leads with an initial smoky taste but blends a bold coffee like flavor into a chocolate finish. ABV hides well with the smoke.

M - smooth as the carbonation tingles my tongue and clears the palate to enjoy each flavor's benchmark

D - very tasty, not overwhelmingly smoky but enough to set the stage for the rush of secondary flavors

Will try this one again. Great during a nice wintry night and maybe with a nice cigar to finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 03:53:12 | More by acrobatic

Jwale73

Rhode Island

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz. bottle served in a standard pint glass. Bottled on 12/21/10 indicated on the bottle. Pours an inky black with a quarter inch, mocha-colored head that quickly dissipates and disperses towards the edges. Some specks and strands of lacing revealed during the tasting. Fantastic nose - bold dark fruit gradually gives way to a roasted coffee quality with a suggestion of cocoa. Taste consistent with nose; however, a smoky quality pleasantly permeates the flavor profile, bringing the coffee and roasted character to the foreground, with the dark fruit lingering lightly in the back. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a lively carbonation that leaves a light residual burn at the back of the throat. This is a fantastic Baltic Porter - great flavor and complexity. One of my favorites by far. I'm going to have to obtain more of this before it goes away. Too bad this isn't part of Left Hand's regular line-up because it is quite exceptional.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 22:50:14 | More by Jwale73

losdizzel

Oklahoma

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Fade to black part 2 .
poured into snifter glass smell of very dark cocoa .
Taste complex allot going on here first thick smoky , stays on the tounge oily,nice mouthfeel .

Easly drinkable not as strong in abv like voulme 1 very nice beer .

still my favorite is there Left Hand Milk Stout .

But still another good beer from this brewery
Hope this helps

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2011 00:06:49 | More by losdizzel

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass

A thin mocha colored cap sits atop a near ink black body. Head doesn't stay around too long, but does leave a thin collar and rings of lace.

A tasty little aroma here. Cocoa powder, smoked malt, and lightly roasted coffee beans. Often, the smokiness in smoked beers is too intense and detracts from the overall experience. However, Left Hand has done a nice job of blending everything together.

The flavor pretty much follows the nose. Mild roast with cocoa powder, bitter coffee and a mellow smokiness. Everything plays well together. A unique take on a baltic porter that definitely makes it stick out in the style for me.

Smooth and creamy, medium bodied, carbonation is perfect. I served this chilled a little below room temp and it was perfect.

There was nothing that detracted from the drinkability of this beer for me. The alcohol was held in check, very good mouthfeel, flavors worked very well together.

This definitely isn't the best one of the style I have ever had, but it stands out. The layer of smoke is a welcome addition. This is definitely a beer I would seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 22:47:42 | More by ColForbinBC

chilly460

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a very dark brown, ruby with a perfect tan head.

S- Very chocolatey, great malt background, perfect for the style.

T - Awesome chocolate flavor, some leather/earthy taste in the background. Don't really pick up any "smoked" flavor.

M - Nice medium to heavy body beer, just right for the style.

D - Very drinkable, extremely smooth and rich, could easily drink several.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2011 22:35:28 | More by chilly460

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

wow, I didn't realize (until I looked closely) that Fade to Black had different volumes. So naive.

Pours dark brown/black like a stout with a good inch of coffee colored head.

Aroma is a great subtle smokiness that I absolutely love. Its a bit like a campfire mixed with coffee and dark, roasty malt. I love smokey beers and this one smell amazing.

Taste is malty, caramel, licorice, smoke, a bit salty and finishes clean and crisp. It all comes together beautifully.

Love it. I need to get more while its fresh and before its all gone...

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2011 01:24:01 | More by indiapaleale