Alaskan Smoked Porter.

My first and only experience with Alaskan Smoked Porter came recently, a 10 year old bottle from 1998. Wow! 10 years in the bottle and only little signs of oxidation. Instead, aromas of rich, honey baked ham with a strong base of deep and dark roast. Small punches of sherry nuttiness and soft dark fruits. The mouth-feel really achieved inspiration with a roasted malt fullness and a dry, pleasantly smoky finish.

Coming from the brisk cold of Juneau, Alaska, the beer first came on the market in 1988. With an inspiration for roasted malts and smoked salmon, the owners of Alaskan Brewing Co., Geoff and Marcy Larson, began to smoke the malts locally over alderwood at Taku Smokeries. The beers incredible reputation helps build anticipation every year as the bottles are marked with a vintage date, encouraging you to cellar a few for the future.

If you try this beer sometime soon and you want a food recommendation, I suggest a simple sandwich. Using multi-grain bread, I would layer tomatoes, sprouts, mozzarella cheese, a couple drops of hot sauce, a small amount of a mild mustard, and then, instead of a smoked meat, just enjoy the smoked porter with the meal.