Baltic Porter

Like with food (and almost everything else, for that matter), I tend to go through phases in beer. The shifts can be subtle, like earlier this summer moving away from my staple hefeweizens to full-wheats and eventually to Pilsners, and brought on by environmental changes like visiting the Czech Republic (home of many awesome Pilsners). Or, they can be quick and dramatic and brought on just by trying something new.

Just before leaving DC, I visited the always entertaining Brickskeller, and sampled the Ukraine’s Obolon Porter. I was duly impressed by my ancestral land’s meaty, dark and very flavorful brew, and have since discovered the wonderful world of Baltic porters. The other night, at Atlanta’s answer to the Brickskeller – the Brick Store Pub, a rather nice venue, but nowhere near approximating its apparent (possible?) namesake – my eyes shot directly to a Finnish offering, the Sinebrychoff Porter. Yes, beer from Finland. Good beer from Finland.

Sinebrychoff Porter pours like hot molasses, with a thick mocha-colored head, and develops slowly in the mouth. The first taste is bitter toffee, with hints of chocolate, but as it slides over your palette you notice coffee, chicory, and smoky flavors, with a subtly spicy finish. Beneath all that, there’s a slightly sweet taste (but it’s not a sweet beer at all).

I like beers that fight back. This one might even win.

The Brick Store Pub
125 E. Court Square
Decatur, GA 30030
404-687-0990