Here’s a world traveler that came from across the pond. Black Ball Porter was conceived by To Øl Brewing company of Copenhagen, Denmark, brewed at De Proefbrouwerji in Lochristi-Hijfte, Belgium, purchased in Dublin, Ireland, and brought to the US. This is not the preferred supply chain for this organization, but it worked. The first thing I noticed was the 33 cL sized bottle which is roughly 11.2 oz and not the full 12oz I am familiar with. It pours a thick, malty, ashy, chocolaty smelling brew which could be improved upon by eliminating the chocolate, as with all chocolate beers that I have come across thus far. I don’t know why they can’t get the chocolate taste to be a bit more in the milk chocolate spectrum instead of the musty dark chocolate flavor that seems to always come through. At least with Black Ball, its only mildly chocolate flavored. There’s also pleasure in the sweet smells you will find which are quickly taken away by the overpowering musty and ashy notes. That’s all I have to say about this one. A lower score may have been more appropriate, consider yourselves lucky To Øl (and anyone else involved). Final Score 3 smokestacks out of 7. Have a good night.
| Brewer | To Øl |
| Beer Name | Black Ball Porter |
| Brewer’s Description | Black Ball is a potent porter, boasted with dark cassonade sugar and a good heap of American hops to rebalance the edgy and full-flavoured malt profile. You will find notes of chocolate, caramel and sulphur. This results in a porter with a broad and delicate mouth feel, capable of a good kick and does not leave the mouth voluntarily. |
| Food Pairings | Cigars |
| Brewer Location | Copenhagen Denmark |
| Alcohol content by volume | 8.0% |
| Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) | 6.2 |
| Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) | 3 |
| Sausage detection? Y or N | No |
| Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks | 3 |
| Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) | 3 |
Learn more at: http://to-ol.dk/home/
and
SmokeBeerMinistry 