Aug 6, 2014

Stone Brewing Smoked Porter with Chipotle Peppers

I’ve conquered Stone Brewing’s Crime and Punishment in the past, so when I glanced at this bottle of their Smoked Porter with Chipotle Peppers on the shelf, I knew I could handle whatever amount of heat it brought to table. That, and the thought of smokey chipotle peppers in combination with the smoked dark malt of a porter, had my mouth watering quicker than the time it took to yank the bottle off the display.

Weighing in at 5.9% ABV and 53 IBU, the porter is manageable on its own. Toss in some smoked jalepenos and you’ve got something a little more intimidating. The influence of the peppers isn’t overbearing in any fashion, instead imparting a smooth amount of spicy heat to accompany a solid amount of smokiness. This isn’t a beer that I would drink too often, but when the mood strikes, it’s a fun brew to enjoy.

Appearance

Stone’s Smoked Porter pours an opaque reddish brown with a full cap of creamy, tan foam.

Stone Brewing Smoked Porter with Chipotle Peppers photo

Aroma

Espresso notes, light smoky char, light roasted chipotle and vegetable-y peppers. There’s no indication of spicy heat here, but the peppers do come through.

Taste

The chipotle pepper influence feels more vegetative that smokey on the tongue as it blends in nearly seamlessly with the smoked malt. It does bring a light-to-moderate amount of spicy heat, however, that arrives mid-swallow and fades smoothly through the clean finish. Espresso and cocoa notes are also present. There’s a light level of hop bitterness that helps accentuate the heat a touch.

Overall

All in all, Stone’s Smoked Porter with Chipotle Peppers is a fun little brew. It’s not overwhelmingly hot or spicy or smokey — it’s got a good, balanced measure of all elements. I would have preferred maybe less of a peppery vegetable character to the chipotle influence, but overall, it complimented the smokey porter quite well. Now, if you want something truly spicy check out the previously mentioned Crime and Punishment.

Rating: 3.75/5

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