Alaskan Smoked Porter - Alaskan Brewing Co.

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from BeerAdvocate magazine Vol. II Issue XI:

This is the darkest brown beer we've ever come across, so dark you may as well call it black. Good cling from the tan head. A heavy, but not overbearing, waft of smokiness mingles with the roasted, charcoal-like malt; hint of black currant and burnt sugar in the nose. Lush, creamy smoothness flaunts its full body. Solid roasted grain flavor is followed by a smokiness that compliments it very well. Hop bitterness and flavor hold back to let the smokiness shine, yet still help to balance. Smoke drops a slight puckering, charred-wood character middle to end that leads the beer into its dry finish.

A classic--you can't call yourself a beer geek unless this beer has touched your lips. If you are into all things smoke or a lover of Porters, it's a must try. The brewers suggest drinking it now or aging it for several years; we prefer drinking it fresh.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2010 18:46:48 | More by BeerAdvocate

Jason

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pint brown bottle with the vintage date of 2002 on the label, suggests to cellar the beer.

Appearance: Really freaking dark, thick looking with a tightly cropped thin lacing with minimal stickage.

Smell: Woody charcoal smokiness, earthy with a layer of sweetness of malt in the aroma.

Taste: There is a certain smoke flavour from start to finish, not over whelming but not complacent either. Layered thickly the smoke wraps itself around the malt tightly, malt gives some sweetness as well as a complementing flavour of a level charcoal roasted grain. Hint of fruitiness in the back, prune … black currant? Alcohol becomes a warming factor half way through the bottle as the finish come slightly sweet.

Mouthfeel: More creaminess than anything else, smoothness is there as well but the creamy mouth feel is where it is at. Full bodied of a sturdy foundation of malt.

Drinkability & Notes: Not as legendary as so many of the aficionados said it was. A sound porter as a whole with a thickly line smoky backing, smoked cheese and meat would be the obvious pairing … why not try a contrast pairing of a grilled venison burger topped with soft pungent goat cheese and lime accented mayo … did me just fine.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2002 19:53:57 | More by Jason

b-one

California

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

06-19-2013 01:43:50 | More by b-one

jbuddle

New York

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

06-17-2013 20:09:20 | More by jbuddle

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.38/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Big thanks to Twig for this bottle...

A: Pours a nice black with browns around the edges. There is roughly 2 full finger of dark khaki colored head that seems to take quite a bit to settle. I am left with swirling bubbles along the top of the beer, and tons of lace along the sides of the glass.

S: The nose is great. Smoked malt, smoked meat, charred oak, milk chocolate, and just a dash of raisin.

T: It starts of with a big blast of smoke. You get bacon, tobacco, and toast right away. But as the beer progresses, the chocolate and vanilla notes cut the big roasty notes of the beer. The finish is a mix of sweet and smoke, and the roast/toast stick with you once the beer is gone.

M: Medium bodided beer. This beer has heft, but it goes down smooth without much of a struggle. The transition from smoked meat, to sweets, and then balancing them in the finish is wonderful. It's wet and smooth, coats the palate but moves off. Residual smoke after the beer is gone.

O: Really an excellent smoked porter. I'm a huge fan of smoked beers, so this is right in my wheelhouse. I've been fortunate to have this many times and it never disappoints. I'd love to see how this develops over a few years, but I can't keep it in my cellar for longer than a few months at a time.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 20:07:40 | More by trxxpaxxs

ElSid

California

4.09/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Bottled Date: 9/18/12

A: Deep black with a tan white foam that subsides to a rim of foam and a trace reticular lace on the glass.

S: An interesting charred, smokey edge takes front stage with smooth chocolate and brown sugar support.

T: Wood and smoke come through hand-in-hand establishing the predominant characteristics of the palate. Chocolate, caramel malt smoothness join the fray and subside to a leafy, earthy bitterness.

M: Smooth with a medium feel. The carbonation is appropriate and engaging.

O: A beer with wonderful wood and smoke characteristics that makes this porter both unique and interesting. The touchstone of smoked beers.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 04:04:44 | More by ElSid

brbrocc

New York

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

06-12-2013 20:57:26 | More by brbrocc

mater

Ohio

4/5  rDev -4.5%

06-11-2013 11:30:35 | More by mater

outoffocus

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.5%

06-10-2013 00:02:48 | More by outoffocus

jarrgal

North Dakota

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

06-09-2013 19:42:22 | More by jarrgal

jdhowe

California

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

06-08-2013 14:28:51 | More by jdhowe

maxwelldeux

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

06-03-2013 02:54:28 | More by maxwelldeux

Kuaff

Alaska

4.39/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I poured a 2012 bomber into a tulip glass around cellar temperature.

Alaskan Smoked Porter has a three-finger, tan head, and a very, very dark body. There's some slight transparency around the shallow edges of the glass, but beyond the edges, it's black.

In the smell I get loads of chocolate, coffee, and some dark fruits. There's only a hint of smokiness. A great, strong scent.

At first taste, it's chocolate, tangy raspberries and raisins, and bitter coffee. THEN the smokiness really kicks in (I was wondering where it was), lingering with bitter chocolate and ceffee in the finish. The label says this is alder-smoked. I definitely taste that, as it reminds me of my family's awesome, alder-smoked king salmon, thus making my mouth water.

It has excellent, perky carbonation and medium viscosity.

This is an extremely well-balanced smoked porter. Its smokiness is prominent without being overwhelming and blends VERY well with its malty characteristics. Embrace the smoke!

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 15:54:09 | More by Kuaff

itracy63

Alaska

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

06-02-2013 01:58:13 | More by itracy63

Woodman70

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

06-01-2013 02:52:50 | More by Woodman70

zenithberwyn

California

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-30-2013 05:23:08 | More by zenithberwyn

DarthGuitarHero

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -16.5%

05-29-2013 18:54:35 | More by DarthGuitarHero

jpro

South Carolina

4.24/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bomber picked up at Ølbutikken in Copenhagen DK. 2012 version - poured into an imperial pint glass..

A: black; stout-like; one thumb of cappuccino head; nice creamy layer of retention leaves very little lace. (Best before December 26, 2026... haha!)

S: big time smoke aroma; campfire-esque; mesquite; maybe some sweet malt beneath the smoke; if you like smoked beers, this aroma is for you! I do, but perhaps not this much...

T: big, mesquite smokiness; this would pair great with pulled pork; a touch of milk chocolate malt sweetness behind the massive smoke flavor; hops provide a dry finish.

M: full and creamy, but finishes a touch dry; nice; moderate carbonation.

O: the smoked porter by which all others are judged; big, smoky aroma and flavor; the smokiest beer I've had... wow! Pretty wild that I stumbled upon this in Denmark, having been to the brewery in Juneau, but missed it on that trip. I actually saw it in a couple of shops, which seemed nuts...

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2013 01:29:49 | More by jpro

kingmaker

Louisiana

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-28-2013 04:26:54 | More by kingmaker

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.99/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

2011 version and found the right time to drink. Saved to soften the smoke flavor some and just needed the right event and I guess now is the time.
Poured whole bottle into single glass. Nice dark head caps a very dark body with few highlights.
Very smoke/bacon aroma. Harder to pick up any malt as this is still quite fresh smelling.
A little thinner than I expected. Bacon in aroma, but more balanced out with the roast and dark malt flavors. Very drying on the finish. A little touch of sweetness up front, and the in the middle some hop flavor and bitterness appears. All balanced out quite nicely.
Reasonable smooth for a thinner beer of style. Fully carbonated (also noted in a pretty loud pffft on opening and the larger head).
This is good. I look forward to enjoying it my meal upcoming.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 23:59:11 | More by garymuchow

Pecafaced

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%

05-23-2013 23:47:24 | More by Pecafaced

drh1382

Texas

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-23-2013 20:18:18 | More by drh1382

visionaries

California

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

05-23-2013 17:11:50 | More by visionaries

sneaks2210

New York

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-22-2013 01:57:17 | More by sneaks2210

Humulus85

Minnesota

4.48/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

First time with this one, kinda just fell in my lap. 22 oz bottle, 2012 vintage into my tasting glass.

Pours very dark for a porter, imperial stout dark. Nice two finger khaki head has great retention and lacing.

While cold this is pretty smoke heavy. The smoke is great though, very campfire, not the weird bottom of the grill smell that some smoked beers have. Nice dark malts and a bit of bitterness.

Very well balanced. The smoke is there the whole way and steals the show, but never overshines. More hops than I expected for a 7 month old smoked beer, and they work well. Kinda that chocolate covered orange vibe. Deep roasted malts in the middle. The smoked malts take you through the finish and what a surprisingly clean finish it is. Very little perceived alcohol.

A solid medium, deceivingly light given the color and amount of flavor. Creamy feel. Restrained, but perfect carbonation adds just enough lift.

Overall, this is a truly fine and impeccably well crafted beer. Easily my favorite smoked beer and I have easy access to Surly Smoke. Where Smoke is just that, a true smoke bomb, this one artfully blends the smoke flavor with those of a classic robust Porter. Exceedingly drinkable for the style and it is a joy to have a whole bottle to yourself. Recommended highly to fans of the style, but I believe every BA should try this once. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 02:33:47 | More by Humulus85