“A Baltic-style Porter that has been cold lagered and cold conditioned to create a clean and layered dark beer character, with notes of chocolate and espresso. A coffee addition from The Cape Effect Coffee Roasters builds on this flavour and aroma, whilst 9 months ageing in Whipper Snapper whiskey barrels has created rich whiskey flavour, structure and a beautiful oak finish.”

Glassware: Tulip.

Appearance: Uber dark pour for a Baltic Porter. Mostly impenetrable black except for a skerrick of light breaking through at the base of the glass. It forms two fingers of tan head which peels off slowly. Settling to a collar with wet and wavy lacing.

Aroma: Nice and punchy roasted malts upfront. Espresso, licorice, raw cacao and molasses are also leaping out of the glass. It’s hard to believe this style of beer is brewed with a Lager yeast! Loving the addition of Whipper Snapper barrels. We know the distillery well (one of us had a bottle of their Upshot Australian Whiskey once. It’s finished now ) but it’s a little shy. Delicate hints of cedar and vanilla here and there but that’s about it.

Flavour: Oh wow. The progression is impressive. The front palate is all chocolate, coffee and licorice with just the mildest hint of cedar and oak creeping through. As it rolls into the mid the woody accents take shape. So does the sweet and spicy Whiskey. The finish is all about the big flavours i.e Whiskey, oak, espresso coffee, chocolate and the lingering charred malts.

Mouthfeel: Fairly moderate which is remarkable. Smooth, silky, medium bodied. A notable Co2 on it. The 8.3% ABV is very well behaved for its size.

Overall: An impressive collaboration and an equally impressive beer. WA might just need a bit more attention!