(Press Release) JUNEAU, AK—The limited edition 2013 vintage of Alaskan Brewing Co.’s Alaskan Smoked Porter officially releases today on draft and in 22 oz bottles throughout the 15 states where Alaskan beer is sold. The smoked malt used in the beer makes for a unique taste, and also acts as a preservative that can allow for years of aging.
Porter in all its forms may be one of the more misunderstood and underappreciated of all beer styles. Common porter was the dominant brew on the planet during the cusp of the 18th and 19th centuries, bringing rock-star fortunes to the beer barons of London and great beer to a global clientele. Porter was sent... View Article
Most people who take the plunge into the “dark side” of beer exploration are surprised to find out that stouts are neither heavy nor terribly strong. Quite the opposite is true in fact: many great stouts are complex and low in alcohol, with beautiful roundness and a touch of roastiness. The dry versions are appetizing... View Article
Simply put, this is a stronger version of a dry stout, with alcohol levels between 5.7 and 7.5 percent, very similar to foreign or export-style stouts. The initial malt sweetness leads to a rounded out, dry and balanced finish. Coffee-like roasted barley present in the aromas. A medium- to full-bodied mouth feel is common. Fruity... View Article
Sweet stouts have a distinctive sweetness to the palate and often show chocolate and caramel flavors. They are sometimes known as milk or cream stouts. These beers obtain their characters by using chocolate malts and lactic (milk) sugars in the brewing process.
Dry stout is closely associated with Ireland in general, and Guinness in particular. These brews tend to be rich and dark with a definitive bitter note and a drying palate feel. They are classically paired with oysters, although any Irish stout drinker will tell you that a pint it is a meal in itself. Draught... View Article
Flavoring traditional beer styles is a particular feature of the ever-creative U.S. craft brewing scene. Flavorings used in porters are typically dark berry fruits and coffee, and when skillfully done the effect can be greater than the sum of its parts.
Flavored stouts are stouts, be they sweeter or drier, that have been flavored in some way. Dark fruits, coffee and chocolate are particularly popular, and the marriage of flavors should at best be greater than the sum of its parts.
This style is an extra strong version of porter and is similar in style to top-fermented Baltic porters. Roasted malt should provide the flavoring character, with no apparent roasted barley or black malt character in the flavor profile. Imperial porters are dark brown to black in color and strong in alcohol (7-11%). Fruity esters should... View Article
