Intensified Coffee Porter

Intensified Coffee Porter is a collaboration between Brooklyn Brewery, El Salvadoran coffee growers, an East Coast coffee roaster and a Kentucky bourbon distillery. All of their efforts are evident in this monstrously large porter, clocking in at 11.8 percent ABV. 

The powerful aroma has a slightly burnt coffee character in combination with an intense bourbon nose that tends to dominate over the vanillin and oaky characters of the barrel. Visually, this lightly carbonated brew is an opaque deep brown/black with ruby highlights and an off-white head that dissipates rapidly. The flavor resembles that of a freshly brewed double-strength chocolate-infused coffee with a shot of bourbon thrown in as a kicker. The alcohol is very evident and is quite warming. The base porter has a hard time shining through all this. While the body is quite thin, there is a background sugary sweetness that comes through in the middle and finish. Overall, an interesting beverage (and a great sipper), but more body and base porter character would be appreciated.