into port

The American import store has really expanded its beer options.  The pioneer was actually a Spanish beer, although with American inspiration.  But now, one can find Sam Adams, Bud, even Duff.  And for discerning tastes, both Anchor and Flying Dog peer out from the refrigerator door.  It's been a while since I've had an Anchor beer, so that what was most appetizing.

I picked up an Anchor Porter (also a while since I've had a dark beer), which poured out in a comfortable chocolate brown with a beige head that fizzed up, but died back fairly quickly.  It has that nice sour-sweet porter smell, bringing plums to mind I think.  The fruitiness is apparent first when drinking, but the undertone of bitter earthiness is also there.  It rises to the top after a couple of seconds though, and hangs around after the beer is swallowed.  A little sour clings to the back of the tongue too.  The balance between sour-sweet-bitter is maintained from top to bottom of the glass, with the beer remaining smooth from start to finish.  A dark beer to go with the dark, chilly nights of the moment.