Tasting - Port Brewing

Last week, I sat down with Meghann and Fitz to do the first official 502Beer tasting. We were first going to do a tasting of some Imperial Stouts. However, for a bit of diversity, we opened up four beers I procured in Chicago from the Port Brewing Company. We tasted Panzer Imperial Pilsner, Hop 15 Imperial IPA, Shark Attack Triple Red Ale and 2008 Santa's Little Helper Imperial Stout.

It was a tough job, but we muscled through it.


Panzer Imperial Pilsner 9.5% ABV




Meghann: Golden color, spicy nose.
Lovely Malt Presence
Long Finish with a little hop bitterness at the end
***

Fitz: Look - Light, Straw Color
Nose - Biscuit, Malty, Lavender, Bay Leaf
Mouthfeel - Nice Carbonation, Medium Body, Clean Finish
Taste - Floral, Crisp, Old World Hops, Nice Malt Balance with Clean, Spicy finish.
***1/2

Scott: Golden, Honey color
Grainy, cereal nose. Flowery quality (lilac)
Sweet but balanced. Slight Spice and grapefruit
Full mouthfeel, finishes clean
***1/2



Hop 15 Imperial IPA





Meghann: Medium Amber color
Nice Malty nose
Strong hop presence without alot of bitterness in the finish
***

Fitz: Look - Orange, Amber
Nose - Piney, Cat Pee, Sweet Malt
Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, crisp, good carbonation
Taste - Hops, Sweet Malt, Long Piney Finish
***



Scott: Orange Amber color
Honeysuckle, apricot, orange and slight alcohol on the nose
Very balanced caramel sweetness, pine and a slight soapiness from the hops.
****


Shark Attack Triple Red Ale








Meghann: Dark Amber color
Big malt presence on the nose
Molasses
Strong malt presence without lingering bitterness
***

Fitz: Look - Red, Amber
Nose - Rice, Malt, Barley, Grape Nuts, Molasses
Mouthfeel - Lighter than expected, flat finish
Taste - Unbalanced malt with hop finish. Muddled "uncool" finish
**

Scott: Hazy, unfiltered Red brick color
Burnt Caramel, grapefruit, slightly boozy nose
Grainy, Malty, Slightly out of balance. More like a Barleywine.
**




Santa's Little Helper Imperial Stout 2008





Meghann: Black in color

Coffee, dark, bitter chocolate on the nose
Nice smokey taste
Very well balanced. Great beer.
****

Fitz: Look - Black, Opaque
Nose - Coffee, Chocolate, MALT!!!
Mouthfeel - Rich, Full Bodied, Clean, Not Cloying
Taste - Bacon fat, Chocolate, Coffee, Anise. The best of the night!!!
****1/2

Scott: Jet Black pour, with a tan head.
Coffee all over the nose with some baker's chocolate
Full Mouthfeel
Smokey, bacon, dark chocolate taste
Great balance, fantastic beer!!!
****1/2

So, there you go. If you find yourself in Southern California, or even up in Chicago, I'd definitely seek these beers out. For the most part, you can tell that we liked most of the beers, with Santa's Little Helper being the consensus for the best beer of the night. We didn't taste it that night, but Port's Wipeout IPA is one of the best representations of the "West Coast IPA" I have found.

If any of you would like to be a part of any of these tastings, just drop me a line at 502beer@gmail.com. Any and all participation will be welcomed and encouraged. Cheers, all.