Day 34, Beer 34 - Anchor's "Porter"

Today's Beer

Name – Anchor Porter

Brewer – Well... Anchor, naturally.

Classification – Oh, now come on!

Strength – 5.6% ABV

Verdict - At A Glance

On the eye – Even an MRI scan would reveal only black.

On the nose – Dark berries and brandy-soaked liquorice.

On the tongue – Peppery cocoa and spiced treacle. A subtle but lingering butterscotch finish.

On the subject – One of the USA's craft-brew major league players. And how this drink deftly explains this!

On the market – Ubiquitous US presence. UK and Europe buyers need to search harder and that's a pity. Got this at Selfridges (in store only.)

On the whole – 8.5/10

Full Review

Depth and anchors have a great deal in common.

Naturally.

But there is a point at which this common ground becomes stretched beyond capacity. Any seafarer will tell you that certain depths lie below of the reach of any anchor known to man.

This claim, however, is false. Because a certain brewery in San Francisco has comprehensively re-written that very maritime rule, with truly startling results.

There is no depth which this beer does not reach.

At play within this beer, there is deepness of flavour and of texture which is so unfathomable – that it simply astounds. It is a rich, creamy, bitter-sweet assault on the mouth, and it has been crafted with textbook precision to simultaneously soothe, excite and satisfy.

I've often marvelled at why anyone would ever choose a porter or a stout (for the difference between these two see here) in place of a dark premium or strong ale.

This little US gem is the explanation I have long awaited.

Perhaps my new source of bemusement should be – why would anyone follow a cool winter stroll with a black coffee, a chunk or two of dark chocolate and a brandy, when they could round it off infinitely better with a single jar of this exquisite brew?

Answers on a postcard please....