Rascal

North Peak Brewing Company’s Rascal Cherry Porter was judged as a BJCP category 29A Fruit Beer. This beer starts with an inviting chocolate, roasted coffee-like aroma that has hints of cherry and a slight funkiness that is accented by an earthy hop aroma. The alcohol in this 6.5% abv porter becomes more apparent as the sample warms up. The color is pretty deep brown with a reddish hue and it is slightly hazy. The head is a creamy light beige that clings all around the rim of the glass. Roasted coffee, burnt toffee and some underlying fruitiness are the first impressions when tasted. This is followed by a very earthy hop flavor and a moderate hop bitterness that fights a bit with the dark grain flavors, yet works well to mask the alcohol in the flavor. This sample was not overly cherry-forward in flavor, and the roast is what lingers on the tongue as it finishes medium-dry. There is a moderate astringency that leads to a grainy consistency on the tongue. It is a moderately carbonated, medium-bodied beer. Overall it is a tasty porter with a very subtle fruitiness. It is more roast forward than many porters and this couples well with the dry finish.