Northbound Buckwheat Honey Porter

Here's a case where I took too long to post a review, and now it's all historical for the record. I refrained from posting these notes because I don't want to have too many Northbound reviews in a row, and there weren't any other new notes to post. Now it's a moot point because this one just ran out about an hour ago. So, if it sounds good, don't come in looking for it, 'cause there ain't no more. (There's another one of those coming soon. Fair warning.) Notes on the Northbound Buckwheat Honey Porter follow now...

Northbound Smokehouse Brewpub Buckwheat Honey Porter. Emphasis on the Honey. Not the Buckwheat.

Solid blackness, under a large, lasting, rich tan head.

Aroma: cocoa, toffee, caramel, and a touch of honey-ish sweetness. Yeah, it's there, and it's nice.

Taste: Full malt flavors, moderate hops, lush sweetness, amply balanced. Some caramel and toffee, mingled with coffee tones. And then there's this underlying sweetness, this unique contribution from the buckwheat honey.

I like my porters a bit drier and a little roasty-er. That's just me. This has got it's own special charms. It's a good beer, and you can drink it. It hasn't become a huge hit at the pub, partially because so many are into the regular smokehouse porter, and those that aren't are the certified hopheads who just don't give a darn about any ol' buckwheat honey porter.

More info: 6.3% ABV. 30 IBUs. There is actually no buckwheat in this beer. We started with a base American porter and finished the brew with 60 pounds of buckwheat honey. Buckwheat honey is a single source honey, which means the beer were kept near a buckwheat field and produced the honey almost exclusively from buckwheat. This honey is very different from other single source honeys. It is very dark with a strong, earthy, molasses flavor and hints of cinnamon and allspice. We thought the flavor of the buckwheat honey would mix nicely with a porter. The base porter has caramel, chocolate and coffee notes. The honey adds complexity with molasses and spice notes.