Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.
Tonight’s featured beer is Port Brewing Company Santa's Little Helper Imperial Stout. With winter comes the desire to drink hefty Stouts…and this one is HEFTY!
From the Port Brewing Company
website:” Each and every year, the Jolly Old Fatman sits down and compiles a list of who’s been naughty and nice. It’s curious that he never knows which list to put our brewers on as this is one naughty but incredibly nice beer.
Originally brewed at the Pizza Port in Solana Beach in November of 1997. As dark as the biggest lump of coal Santa can deliver, this beer has earned a dedicated following and is code named Satan’s Little Hangover by those who have indulged in a holiday like manner from time to time.
Originally shipped from London to the Czarist rulers of Russia, Imperial Stouts are stronger, richer and more robust versions of traditional stouts. The increase in alcohol content means that literally, many of these beers are a meal in a glass all on their own. Made from copious amounts of Roasted and Black Barleys, our stout invites you to share a silky black body with hints of freshly pulled espresso from the coffee house, melding with dark bitter sweet chocolate from a Belgian Chocolateer and the ash of a smoldering fire on a dark winter’s night.
Just remember that somewhere out there, the jolly old fat man is making a list and checking it twice. He knows who’s been naughty and nice… Might we suggest that you forgo the Milk with the cookies this year and leave him of bottle of something incredibly nice- Say like Santa’s Little Helper? Mrs. Claus would probably like some as well. That is if Rudolph doesn’t drink it all himself. Bad Reindeer.”
Let’s get started!
Appearance: Pours a jet black with a large cocoa brown head and nice lacing.
Aroma: Roasted and chocolate malts, coffee, toffee and booze.
Taste: Sweet roasted and chocolate malts, dark bitter chocolate, coffee and alcohol with a hint of hop spice.
Overall: This beer is HUGE! Port Brewing Company Santa's Little Helper Imperial Stout is an excellent holiday beer, smooth and easy to drink, but be warned, at 10.5% ABV it will get you if you’re not careful.
Cheers!
Mark Harvey
