Great Divide Smoked Baltic Porter

We are getting a lot more seasonal, special run, and one-off beers here in Oklahoma, and that tells me more people are buying good beer and making it worthwhile for brewers to ship their goods to our fair state.  I hope the momentum continues, and I see no reason why it shouldn't.  That being said, the market for beer is in a transitional period, so nothing should be taken for granted, which means now you have a good excuse for having a beer right now! 

Black at the middle and lightening up to a dark reddish brown at the edges.  The foamy tan head breaks apart slowly, and unselfishly leaves a lot of its sticky self behind.  An initial whiff brings to the nose some molasses, dark chocolate, cocoa and a very distant wood pit charred smokiness.  Sweet and dark chocolates mix with dark fruits, black licorice, cocoa, more molasses and a huge hit of smokiness that envelops it all.  Creamy in the middle, and a thinner than expected body leads to a straight medium mouth-feel.  Has a woody edge on the throat, plenty of candy stickiness to the lips, and the alcohol is well-concealed. 

Good showing from one of my favorite breweries, but could use a bit more body to substantiate the complexities of aroma and taste.