Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Across the World 2017: Campout Porter

This is from the 2017 Beer Camp Across the World pack from Sierra Nevada brewing. This year they joined with brewers not just all over the United States, as in past years, but from around the world as well. This 7.7% ABV porter brewed with smoked malt, vanilla, and honey, was brewed in collaboration with Garage Project of Wellington, New Zealand.

The beer pours a very dark brown, with tints of light ruby. There is a half-inch of so of light tan foam. The aroma is sweet, the honey and vanilla, combined with the dark roasted malt and char, create a fruity effect, like berries, particularly raspberries. The taste follows the aromas, but the dark roasted char is in much more effect in the taste. The smokiness is enough to take the sweetness of the beer and bring it to a very dry finish, with moderate bitterness. The beer drinks quite smooth, with very soft carbonation. Many smoked malt beers are too smokey, this one is perfect.