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Dzień dobry and welcome to another WT stage race and another round of sensational /WORLD TOUR WINE/ (bier) !!
Poland is obviously a vodka and beer country, so we will be taking a brief hiatus from wine after so many good bottles recently. This is BIG news for the /cyc/ office expense account.
Today's beer is from Miroslaw, a small town 150km north of today's stage between Wroclaw and Wieliczka.
Komes Baltic Porter ($6.50)
This is a Baltic Porter, which is a smooth, dark, highly-alcoholic lager made with darkly roasted malt. This is a style of beer that originated in the Baltic states, copying the style from Imperial stouts of English origin. It is one of the most popular dark beers of Polish breweries. Interestingly, this one has a funny little guide on the back telling you how the flavor changes if it is aged, but there is no obvious indication of when this bottle was brewed, so it's not very helpful.
Pours dark brown with auburn higlights. The foam has a compact mousse, not much head. The nose is sweet, with roasty caramel and raisin, perhaps light oak? The palate has a lovely mouthfeel with chocolate, coffee, and dark cooked fruit with a dry, hoppy finish. Despite all the rich flavors, the body is only medium and there is a bitter, hoppy finish that keeps it balanced. It is opening nicely in the glass. The 9% alcohol is totally hidden on the palate.
Really good...definitely light on it's feet for a booze bomb porter.