Split the 22 oz bomber with some of the usual suspects down at The Brick Store on a Friday afternoon. Long live these gatherings.

Very standard pour with the black/brown body yielding some reddish highlights when held up to the light. Head is generally a short-lived affair with a rather sparse amount of lace. Looks still, low levels of carbonation as there should be.

Nose has a touch of roasted malts and very little hop presence.

The nose is continued into the taste and in that respect I was a touch surprised (pleased, but surprised). This Porter definitely lends itself back toward the classic English drink that I am familiar with. More on the creamy side of things than the hoppy side of things, with an emphasis on the subtle rather than the aggressive. As a result, unlikely to impress the palates of many on this side of the Atlantic and more likely to be a pleasing beer for me.

More of an English style Porter than the generally over-hopped American version.

Finishes with some very gentle smoke to complete the picture.

Tasty, and pleasingly understated. Many Americans will find this dull, I found it charming.