Beer #105 – April 18, 2010: Harpoon Leviathan Series Baltic Porter

Beer: Harpoon Leviathan Series Baltic Porter

Brewery: Harpoon Brewery, Boston, Massachusetts

Style: Baltic Porter

Serving Type: 12 oz bottle

Price: $9.99 / four-pack

Availability: Limited Release

Glassware: Glass mug

Strength: 9.5% ABV (alcohol by volume)

Drinkability: Dark, rich, unusual and enjoyable.  Its strength and weight means that one beer makes for a nice nightcap.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Pours nearly pitch-black with a brown-red tinge and a creamy tan head

Aroma: Distinctive, a bit sour and somewhat roasted

Mouthfeel: Slick and oily with tiny bubbles of carbonation to lighten what could be a very heavy beer.

Taste: Starting with a thick but mild Caro syrup sweetness, notes of carob and a hint of balsamic come forward.  The middle is fruity with notes of Chianti and plump raisin, while the finish is tangy, and slightly roasted.

Pairing: While enjoyable enough on its own, this can also pair with meat and game like a rich red wine.

Trivia: One theory on the Baltic Porter style is that were originally brewed in the 1700′s as a stronger (higher alcohol) take on a porter to ship across the Baltic Sea.  When these countries on the Baltic began brewing porters of their own, this strong, slightly acidic style was the preferred dark-brewed beer, though many used lager yeast in place of the traditional British ale yeast.