Pouring dark brown with a few peripheral highlights, State Pen carries a creamy, dark taupe head that emits an enticing smoky aroma with deep molasses and dark chocolate sweetness. This medium-bodied brew is dynamic, starting with a bit of sweetness that perks the tip of the tongue then falls into a wash of bitterness capped by a hint of smoke. While the bitterness is mostly derived from the malt, hops add more bite than flavor: The end result is a well-balanced beer with linear stages of flavors that finish dry, but with some persistent sweet notes.
