A roasted malt aroma perked up by prune and fruitcake scents rises from the foamy head above this dark brown beer. One of the stronger versions out there, Smuttynose’s porter delivers a wealth of roasted flavor that scrapes over the tongue; raisins, dried dark cherry and molasses introduce fruity sweetness in its wake. Peppery spice from both the hops and alcohol blend in the back of the swallow, while the bitterness and dryness from each push against the rich malts. This beer’s wonderfully constructed, and when the alcohol mutes in another year, it will be truly stellar.
