Show-Me I'm Back: Deschutes Black Butte Porter

So it has been a while since I have done a beer review.  There are a couple of reasons.  One, my body needed a break from alcohol.  I didn't go completely cold turkey, but I just needed to slow it way down.  It got to the point where it wasn't enjoyable.  When drinking beer isn't enjoyable, writing about beer is just torture.  Time to step back.  There has been enough time off, so I feel ready to ease back into blogging.

As I'm easing back in, I am reevaluating my goals for Show-Me Beer.  Posts may not be as frequent as before my break.  I have three active kids, so I can't cover the bar scene the way KC Beer Blog or STL Hops can.  That was actually never my thing.  I always preferred kicking back in my easy chair and enjoying a beer at home.  That's not to say I won't hit up a beer fest or a tasting on a rare occasion.  I will share news that I find interesting and relevant.  When breweries send out press releases, I will be sure to share those as well.

Speaking of press releases, Deschutes Brewery just sent me a release about release to the Missouri market.

(5, December, 2011 {I know, old news}) Deschutes Brewery officially announced today that it will begin selling Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale in Missouri starting the week of January 9, 2012!
Missourians along the I-70 corridor will be pleased to know they can extend the New Year celebratory festivities with Deschutes' Black Butte Porter, the nation's number one selling craft porter, in 22-ounce bottles and on draft.  For those who view dark beer with suspicion, this deep, velvety brew dispels lingering myths and has been creating zealous enthusiasts for over 23 years.  But the cup of kindness for auld lang syne doesn't end there: Mirror Pond Pale Ale will be bringing its own definitive Cascade hop aroma and hop forward flavor into play. The quintessential, deftly balanced pale ale will likewise be available in 22-ounce bottles and on draft.
Deschutes will also be bringing in a limited amount of The Stoic, Black Butte XXIII and The Abyss for Missouri's serious beer fanatics, as well as 22-once bottles of Hop Henge Experimental IPA.  Six packs of Mirror Pond, Black Butte Porter, Inversion IPA and Red Chair NWPA will be available later down the road.
"For years, our fans have been pleading with us to bring our beers farther east, and Missouri was the ideal step in that direction," said Gary Fish, president and founder of Deschutes Brewery.  "Our recent collaboration brew with Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City gave us a tangible knowledge of just how passionate Missourians are about their craft beer.  We're looking forward to formally introducing our beers tot he market there and getting to know the beer enthusiasts in this region even better."

The press release goes on about the distributors, but what really got my attention was that the release was wrapped around a 22-ounce bottle of Black Butte Porter!  I once had Black Butte XX, a limited release version of the porter, but I've never had the traditional Black Butte Porter itself.  The fact that the beer was free does not influence my review.

Poured into a pub glass, the head takes up the top third of the glass.  Awesome tan lacing sticks to the glass.  The body is a dark, almost black color at an arm's length.  As I pull the glass closer, I see there is some clarity around the edges with a dark ruby red core when held to the light.

Smell has the typical dark roasted aromas of a porter.  A little wood smoke, coffee and bitter chocolate.  The taste is smooth bitterness, with a hint of hops in the finish.

Mouthfeel is silky slick.  Very soft body and a moderate ABV of 5.2% enhances the overall drinkability.  What an excellent addition to beers available in Missouri