Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter

I've mostly worn out the selection of micro and craft beers at State Liquors, so I drove the exra two miles down to Mass Liquors.  The week before Halloween a guy I know picked up a rather impressive collection of pumpkin beers at Mass, so I've been interested in seeing their selection for a while now.  I must say, viewing it was a little like having a religious experience.  I've tended so far to stick to State because they are near by and they don't give me any hassle about using my passport (MA state law prohibits buying alcohol with an out of state ID), like some other stores in Worcester do.  Now I regret not branching out earlier.  Mass Liquors has the largest selection of craft and microbrews that I've seen yet (granted, I've not been to too many stores).  I picked up a 4-pack of Flying Dog's limited run Gonzo Imperial Porter--made in honor of Hunter S. Thomson--and a 22oz bottle of Smuttynose's Scotch Ale.  I had a taste of Founder's Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale last week at the Armsby Abby and I am seriously considering making a scotch ale for my next project.  The 22oz bottle is more than this little lady is willing to tackle by herself, so it will have to wait until I have someone to drink it with.

The porter on the other hand, is the reason for this post.  First off, it's not really a porter.  Porters are the precursers to stouts, which were originally called 'stout porters.'  Stouts generally have more body and alcohol than porters, and this beer has got a fair amount of both.  The first thing I noticed when I poured this out, was the dark black color and the creamy, brown head.  The aroma is very hoppy, owing, as the website says, to it being "dry hopped with a shit load of cascade hops."  The beer has a complex malty flavor with bitter chocolate undertones and a nice bitter bite from the hops to finish it.  I love dark, bitter beers, so I am giving the Gonzo Imperial Porter two thumbs up.  However, if you are not a fan of dark, flavor-intense beers, this beer probably won't be the one to convert you.

***

I have an oatmeal stout sitting in my secondary right now.  I'll probably try to bottle it this weekend, assuming I have the time and help from my friends.  I had a taste of it when I racked it from the primary bucket and the hops were way too sharp.  I plan to let it mellow in bottles for at least a month, if not longer.  Hopefully the hop taste will back down and let the chocolate malts come to the fore.  I can't wait to taste it, yum!

I also have a cranberry hefeweizen in my primary bucket.  The airlock didn't move for two days, which worried me.  When I fiddled with it, it started bubbling like crazy, so I guess the rubber ring around the airlock tube is letting air in.  That's pretty frustrating.  I like brewing in plastic, because it's light weight and easy to clean.  It does have major draw-backs, like being non-airtight and opaque so I can't see what's going on inside.  Maybe if I can grab a carboy or two from my parent's house, I'll start brewing in glass.  I just don't want to shell out the money for them right now.