A couple weeks back, I reviewed the Sam Adams Winter Classics Variety pack. I embarrassingly forgot to save my tasting notes, and the write-up for Holiday Porter (arguably the best of the six) was lost. An inexcusable mistake, to say the least. So here is my pennance. I’ve tracked down and consumed yet another Holiday Porter, and made sure to properly document my thoughts.

I know, tough punishment indeed.

American Porter
5.8% ABV | ~35 IBU

Pours a deep blackish ruby, near opaque. An inch of thick beige sticky foam insulates the beer and coats the glass from start to finish.
Aroma is roasty and metallic, with some molasses sweetness.
Flavor isn’t as sweet or malty as you’d expect from the aroma. Roasted chocolate & bitter coffee dominate up front. Some figgy or rasiny sugars sneak in there as well. A bit astringent towards the middle. A big diacetyl presence as well. Aftertaste is espresso bitter and a little burnt.
Medium-to-heavy body. Diacetyl adds a creaminess that matches perfectly with the bold flavors. This, plus a looong lasting, near nitro level of froth makes for an excellently well rounded porter.

9/10