tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501361286897702641.post-68192961520873317412007-11-26T12:02:00.000-06:002007-11-26T12:36:21.766-06:00<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_AEgOKSbdyoY/R0sLkgrf85I/AAAAAAAAAKM/vN-uymoZIVk/s1600-h/stone-porter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137212521821762450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_AEgOKSbdyoY/R0sLkgrf85I/AAAAAAAAAKM/vN-uymoZIVk/s320/stone-porter.jpg" border="0" /></a> During Thanksgiving, I went down to Tuscon, Arizona to visit my parents. I was able to try some beers that aren't available in the midwest, and was excited about a couple.<br /><div>First off, I can add another porter to my porter review....Stone Smoked Porter from Stone Brewing Company. Yet another impressive beer from the makers of Arrogant Bastard, this was an amazing porter. It poured a dark brown, almost black color with a medium tan head. It was very roasty with very little chocolatey aftertaste. Little to no hop character, this beer was all about the smokey, roasty flavor. It was smooth and very tasty. I wish I could find it locally.</div><div></div><div>The other impressive beers I had on this trip were two beers from Alaskan Brewing Company and 2 Below from New Belgium Brewing Company. The Alaskan Amber, which was actually an altbier was excellent. Malty and flavorful. The other Alaskan we bought was their Winter Ale, which is brewed with spruce tips. This beer was also great, the spruce tips add and an interesting piney flavor that blends well with the sweet maltiness. Very smooth and not at all heavy for a winter ale. Finally, 2 below was a good beer from New Belgium. I actually thought it tasted a lot like Fat Tire, a bit more smooth since it's lagered, but still had a similar taste. It was a very clear copper color with a white head. Some citrusy hopiness, and a caramel/maltiness. Very good and I hope it eventually becomes part of the New Belgium line offered in the Twin Cities.</div><br /><p>That's all for now- The Bearded Brewer</p>The Bearded Brewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09272265527986943248noreply@blogger.com