Midnight Sun Brewing – Treat : Is an Imperial Chocolate Pumpkin Porter with a cool label from Alaska that was brewed at a strength of 7.8% with 30 IBU’s and was enjoyed at home from a 22 oz bottle I discovered in a recent cellar sort (so close to 1 year old) and I poured it into a snifter glass.
Aroma and Appearance: It pours a dark chocolate brown with a thin layer of beige head and some bubble action could be seen near the foam. The aroma was pumpkin, sweet potato, nutmeg, chocolate brownie, and brown sugar.
Flavour: Immediately I noticed the nutmeg and pumpkin, followed by sweet molasses, brown sugar, chocolate, cinnamon, toffee some booze in the middle and a dry sweet cocoa finish.
Overall Impression: I liked this one, but there is a lot going on here and the flavours can be a bit overwhelming and it was just a touch too sweet. Likely better with more age!
Rating: I give it a very good rating of 7.5/10, it will develop nicely over time.
Food Pairing: Go for something sweet and dessert like, vanilla ice cream with caramel swirls would work nicely or with pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.
Chocolate pumpkin porters are generally pretty decent beers, very dessert like and so far my favourite has been Lost Souls by Parallel 49.
Gotta love when you find random beer in your cellar!
Cleaning and sorting the beer cellar is really treasure hunting with the occasional oops this is expired and undrinkable.
Well I have not found expired ones before. But always a treasure hunt.