Stone & Wood ‘2021 Stone Beer’ Wood Fired Porter

Rating:

“In homage to brewing history, 2021 Stone Beer was brewed using wood fired stones and focuses on high quality Australian craft malts and barrel aging techniques. Pouring dark brown, Stone Beer starts with a rich and chocolatey aroma followed by coffee, dark chocolate and biscuity flavours that envelop the palate before a firm bitter finish. Perfect for cold winter nights, our wood fired porter was made for moments by the fire with friends, beer in hand and tales unfolding.”

Glassware: English Pint.

Appearance: Dark brown pour with trickles of light creeping through around the edges. It produces a short tan head which gradually recedes. A gorgeous cascading lace trails it down.

Aroma: Not getting a great deal off the nose to be honest. The dominant scent would have to be the gamey smoked ham hock quality which is really delightful to take in. It throws out similar scents of salami and beef jerky but behind it is a subtle touch of smoked malt, lightly charred wood, burnt espresso, dark chocolate, roasted almond and molasses. The most delicate of sweet malts also opening up as it settles.

Flavour: Ok this is where it’s all at! It kicks off with an incredible roasty and charred malt character which incorporates dark chocolate, coffee and this certain woody/smoky note which infuses really well. Loving the delicate touch of milky chocolate around the mid which is quickly overtaken by smoked ham hock, burnt espresso and charred malts to finish.

Mouthfeel: Pretty smooth and palate-friendly actually. On the flipside it’s probably a tad too light on. The 6.4% ABV is very well hidden though.

Overall: Once again this wood fired Porter does the right things but doesn’t really blow us away. We’d love to see this beer progress in certain ways. In saying that their barrel aged version is always a ripper…if one can get their hands on it! Anywho, solid but nothing memorable.