Flashlight shows a hazy pumpkin color, head dissipates quickly; smells of overripe banana, alcohol, and a faint smokiness. The taste is sweet and mildy funky with the smoky, bready flavors developing from this in a manner reminiscent of a wee heavy/scotch ale; mouthfeel is full. The finish is dry and warm, with lots of alcohol, fruity, funky, and smoky notes piled on top of the herbal hops; overall bitterness is low to moderate. Overall, this isn’t the straight forward porter I was expecting. Just like the Symbiosis, this feels like a blend of perhaps a Scotch Ale and a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. I do enjoy it however, and while the alcohol is certainly a strong presence in this beer, it’s still very drinkable and it’s complexity and juxtaposition of styles elicit a compulsive sipping behavior that tends to empty the glass a tad earlier than one had expected…
