Southern Tier brewing company's Porter

Chocolate. That's all I smelled when I opened the bottle.

The taste is like liquid smoke. I can't even begin to describe it. It's almost like a smoked porter, but they forgot to add the porter. I really don't know how to describe this beer.

There's that tongue-tingling spiciness to it when you hold it in your mouth long enough. But that's the only time.

Once it airs out a bit and I've drunk about a quarter of the bottle, the chocolate smell goes away and is replaced by the smell of beer. The smokiness starts to go away too. Maybe it really is a smoked porter, but the smoke rose to the top.

It advertises itself as a 'dark, robust porter'. It certainly is dark, there's a hint of darkness at the end of every sip. But I'm not sure I'd call it robust. It's far too subtle to be called robust. I'd call this one downright fascinating. I've never had a beer like it. It certainly makes me want to try more by this company.