Ale Asylum Contorter Porter Review
Brewery: Ale Asylum, Madison, Wisconsin
Beer: Contorter Porter
Serving: 12 oz bottle
Glassware: Nonic
Information: 4.8% ABV
Style: English Porter
Availability: Year-round
Cellaring: Not recommended for extended aging.
Appearance
With large “glugs”, the beer was poured with vigor creating a small tan head that fades to a foamy ring of suds below wispy lacing. Clear reddish-brown highlights show some clarity through this very dark porter.
Smell
Contorter’s aroma immediately bursts fourth with really roasted, almost burnt qualities followed by bitter baker’s chocolate, dry cocoa, and a light toffee and coffee-bean nose. While the aroma is assertive, it’s also got a nice “light” feel that trails off with earthy notes of dirt and English hops.
Taste
Roasted black and chocolate malts give Contorter a strong flavor presence of dry cocoa and crumbly bitter chocolate while also bittering it significantly on the finish. Light, watered down coffee flavors are present as well but underwhelming when set next to the roasted malt.
Mouthfeel
Crisp and well-carbonated this medium-bodied porter surprisingly has a very smooth feel for it’s carbonation level, finishing a touch dry and fairly bitter from the roasted malts.
Overall
Contorter Porter is one of those sinister-looking dark beers that’s no where near as aggressive as it first appears. It might not be immediately approachable, but this is a dark beer that’s got good flavor without really packing a wallop or “being too thick”. It’s an easy-drinking porter that would fit right in with the English session ales; a few at your favorite pub wouldn’t be a bad start to the night!
Score: 82 / 100 - Very Good
Cheers,
-Andy
