Despite some egghead mumbo jumbo about Gestalt continuity on the label, I
decided to pick up a 500mL bottle of Continuity Baltic Porter, a nice
dark ale from Guelph, Ontario's Stone Hammer Brewing. The brew was a
solid 7.8% alcohol, balanced against just 34 IBUs. It poured blackly
with auburn highlights beneath a thick tawny head.
Continuity
had a brawny nose, rich with dried fruit notes and a touch of
fruitcake. The flavour was an attention catching jumble of
tastes--raisin, coffee, leather, and well-roasted malt were the chief
elements that I picked up. CBP finished sweetly, but with a ripple of
hops. By the end, the booze bill was also starting to assert itself.
According
to the slogan printed in the label, "continuity" is a noun defined as
"the unbroken and consistent existence of great beer over time." Lofty
stuff. Fortunately, this Baltic porter did approach greatness, with its
stalwart, never showy flavour, and its high percentage. It could have
been a bit more bitter--that would have given the finish a bit of verve.
Still and all, CBP was a really nice dark beer from one of Ontario's
better below-the-radar brewers.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10.
No comments:
Post a Comment