Jet black with some ruby red highlights at the extreme bottom of the glass. A very solid, tan colored head that is really very, very substantial - in fact it looks like a big ice-cream float. Good lacing that increases with warmth. Very good looker. Some alcohol in the nose, but not a great deal more. Smooth, but some degree of bitterness at the same time, quite an unusual combination. The bitterness lingers in the mouth too. Not quite as smooth as I would like, I enjoy my Porters a bit...