Tuesday Tasting: Mikkeller Barrel Aged Chipotle Porter

Chipotle is more than then ubiquitous mexican food restaurant.  The peppers that is the namesake of the restaurant are in fact ripened jalapeños that have been smoke dried.  Preparing the peppers in this manner gives them a very distinct flavor; one whose smokiness and spice can compliment the roasted malt and chocolate notes of a porter.  Denmark’s Mikkeller is using the pepper in a barrel aged porter for a very unique beer.

Appearance
Very dark brown beer that is only discernable from black when held to the light.  Two fingers of light brown head settles on the beer and reluctantly recedes leaving ample lacing. 

Aroma
A cornucopia of smells drift up from the glass.  As expected, smokey chipotle hits the nose.  Malty notes of dark roast coffee, bitter sweet chocolate, and caramel.  Barrel aging adds a layer of oak, vanilla, and scotch to the beer.

Taste
Aging in single malt scotch barrels imparts peaty flavors to the beer that hit the tongue first.  The scotch notes melt into roasted malt and dark fruit like plum and ripe cherries.  The smokey pepper manages to add a punch of flavor in the end of a sip and a slight spiciness can be felt on the back of the throat.

Mouthfeel
Medium bodied beer is super smooth in the mouth.  Carbonation is moderate.  The beer leaves a pleasant spice lingering in the mouth and back of the throat. 

Drinkability
Certainly a beer worth trying if for nothing else than the novelty of a beer brewed with chipotle peppers.  Get past the unique ingredients of the beer and you’re left with a fine beverage.  Dark malt flavors are complimented by a moderate smokey spice. Barrel aging has added an entirely different layer of complexity that will have your taste buds begging for another sip.  Overall grade for Mikkeller Barrel Aged Chipotle Porter:  A-