Stone Smoked Porter

Pros: Great complex tastes
Cons: Not all that smoky, like I expected; High price, hard to find

California’s Stone Brewing is one of the best craft- brewers in the nation, with several outrageous products that go way over the top. Many drinkers are already familiar with the company’s Arrogant Bastard Ale and others have tried Double Bastard Ale- ...

Pros: Very drinkable, approachable porter with subtle smoke flavor.
Cons: Could use a bit more smoke and body.

Let's be clear about one thing: the idea for smoking beers did not come from America's microbrewery revolution. It's actually a style the Germans deserve credit for, since their Rauchbiers (smoked beers) date back hundreds of years. The ...

Pros: First and foremost a fantastic porter with a layer of peat smoke.
Cons: Um ... calories? Doesn't inspire tattoos?

"Dude, I got the Arrogant Bastard gargoyle tat just in time for the Stone festival." I wish that weren't a real quote, but it is. The proud owner of this tattoo loved Arrogant Bastard enough to marry it, and he is entitled to his opinion. My ...

Pros: Clean, well defined base porter
Cons: No smoke to be found here! (So what's the point of this beer???)

Love my porters, love my smoked ales...so a smoked porter oughta fit my tastes real well. (It certainly does when it comes to drinks like Alaskan Smoke Porter or some of the better brewbpub versions I've had over the years.) When I saw a shelf of bomber ...

Pros: wonderfully executed smoked porter
Cons: I sometimes have to go out of my way to get it.

In all my years of beer drinking, there are many fine beers that have crossed my path. I am able to enjoy almost every style of beer. And every so often, I stumble upon a brewery that raises the bar. Victory Brewing Co in Downingtown, PA,...