The Devil’s Trumpet Brewing Co. of Merrillville, IN has been received into the tabernacle with War Horn, a less than average smoked porter. Although printed on the bottle as “porter” the website clearly states that this beer is a smoked porter, along with a note on the side of the bottle stating the use of smoked malts. The imagery on the label really draws you in. Also, knowing how porters and smoke flavors often go hand in hand SBM gave it a shot, and was presented with dry and musty light smoke notes wafting around the rim of the glass. After seeing the striking label, reading the terminology used, mentions of smoke on the label and website, I wonder why Devil’s Trumpet then delivered a run of the mill porter? Posturing. Plenty of companies use smoke malts to beef up the flavor, but few ever mention that (because they’re afraid of scaring away customers), and Devils Trumpet went out of their way to boast about that smoke. And then failed to deliver something above and beyond. War Horn is not a bad beer, it’s just too much badassery for this four door sedan of beers. Total smokestacks = 3.
| Brewer | The Devil’s Trumpet |
| Beer Name | War Horn |
| Brewer’s Description | The gentle use of smoked malts in this beer gives it a subtle smokiness that compliments the beer’s chocolate and roasty flavors. |
| Food Pairings | Burgers and fries |
| Brewer Location | Merrilville, IN |
| Alcohol content by volume | 6% |
| IBU (International Bitterness Units) | 26 |
| Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) | 4.5 |
| Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) | 3 |
| Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks | 3 |
| Sausage detection? Y or N | N |
| Beer thickness 1-7 (water – used motor oil) | 4.5 |
| Overall Happiness Rating: 1-7 (low – high) | 3 |
These folks are in Merrillville, IN, which has an Acura dealership that exhibits feats of strength.
Devil’s Trumpet has a decent website:
SmokeBeerMinistry 