Surly Devil's Work Porter

Surly Devil's Work Robust Porter, brewed with blackstrap molasses and star anise. 6.6% ABV (Okay, 6.66, because, you know, the Devil and all that.) Created last year as an homage to an album by some band called Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats and their local debut. Now, Surly is making it periodically, and guess what, I got a keg for Acadia. Finally sat down to write notes, before it's too late.

Solid brown body, cocoa-toned head, stays slim, lasts long.

Chocolate in the nose, molasses lurks beneath, dark malts rule the realm.

In the mouth, it lives up to the pre-fix. Robust is the word. Full-bodied, for sure, and brimming with flavor. The star anise starts to kick in, and the spice is an excellent companion to the sweetness of the dark malts and the molasses. The palate turns dry with each new exit from the mouth. Spices tingle, hops do a turn on the tongue. Nicely hopped. (Oh, I forgot, I shouldn't say "nice" concerning anything Surly. "Wickedly"? Will that do?)

 This is my kind of beer, and a lower ABV than some other rich, malty porters or stouts, it's not doing too much damage after a pint or two. I like that. It's a good beer, and dammit, I can drink it.