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A solid pour into my large Tripel Karmeliet tulip glass nets me a two-finger thick, lightly browned, tan colored head. The beer is quite dark, with a burnt, concentrated brown color. When held up to the light the beer shows an almost opaque darkness, but does show some flashes of murky, concentrated amber around the edges. The aroma has the hearty aroma of smoked malt, it smells quite similar to beech-wood smoked malt, though perhaps a touch softer ad less meaty. Underneath the chewy smoked malt character are notes of roasted grain; a touch of char, a rich toasted whole grain character and as the beer warms a bit, rich notes of dark chocolate and city roast coffee beans. I really like that the smoke is distinct, dominant even, but doesn't drown out the beautiful dark malt aromatics here.

Fairly light bodied, almost thin in some ways. The beer is also quite dry tasting up front, with even a touch of roast grain derived acidity to it. The smoke adds some richness to the flavor, but isn't quite as prominent as it was in the aroma. The dark, roasted malt notes play a significant, almost leading role here; roasted cocoa, well toasted whole grain bread crust, blackened toffee and, in the finish, a bitter, burnt grain note and some charred acidity lingers on in the palate. The smoke seems to accentuate, or perhaps even contribute to a certain sweetness here in the finish. As the beer warms up it starts to gain in richness and texture; the body has more viscousness to it and it feels fuller as it rolls across the tongue. The malt sweetness also is magnified as the beer warms up, this works really well with the smokiness and even adds a touch of dark fruit character up front.

This is quite a nice beer. I really like the mix of flavors from the smoked and the roasted malt mix. My biggest complaint is that a 12oz bottle is not nearly enough of this for one sitting. This is one of those beers that started out a bit slow, but finished up great.

Served In: Tulip

Deep brown with red highlights. Not quite black. Not much of a head to speak of, but what there is is a deep tan.

I definitely get a hint of smoke in the aroma, but it isn't very powerful. I also smell some sweetness as in a Milk/Sweet Stout, which does dominate.

A very well-made porter, is my first impression of the taste. Behind the porter goodliness is that faint smoke, which lingers through the bitter aftertaste and lasts a really long time. The beer isn't particularly thick, but it is a solid porter that drinks easily and smoothly.

A winner for the Unplugged series. Huzzah.

Served In: Bottle

Pours a dark brown with a toasty head that lasts. Aroma of smoky malts, not at all band-aid-y with underlying faint fruitiness and a coffeeish note.

Not nearly as smoky as I would have expected - the smoke is present in similar quantity to what hops would be in an English pale ale, there but not at all overwhelming. Nice toffee-coffee maltiness throughout, hops limited to bittering purposes. Some milk stout like qualities in here as well. Nice mouthfeel, smooth as silk. Not at all a knockout brew in its smokiness, but eminently quaffable for it.

Served In: Pint Glass

2 - 12 oz bottles.

I approach this beer with a healthy dose of skepticism, as the NG Unplugged series has been hit or miss for me.

Pours a rich black-brown, with a 2 finger off-white head. Small traces of spotty lacing cling to the sides of the glass. Smells of smoke, apples, and cocoa. A beautifully balanced smoked porter - more porter than smoke. Smoked malt at the front of the taste, followed by hints of caramel and burnt chocolate, with a slighty sour finish. Smooth and clean on the tongue; 2 bottles go down quickly and easily. Well done. I recommend this one.

Served In: Bottle

again, thanks to tip top for this brew>

Pours really dark. Rootbeerish color, nice a brown with a tan head on it. Nice light smokiness to it, goes along well with the malts in the smell. Almost a sweet smell to it. Nice roasted flavor, followed by a real nice smokey aftertaste. Really solid drinker with a nice mouthfeel.

Served In: Snifter

Color is dark brown, just about what you expect from a porter. Half-inch tan-colored head. Thin smoke smell, not getting much else. Very light smoke flavor, which is somewhat lacking. From the perspective of being a porter, this one is pretty good. From the smoke perspective, it is underwhelming. As WST threat noted, you also get some spicy flavor in there too. Feel is decent, if somewhat sticky for the style.

Overall, not as impressive as I would have expected from New Glarus. For me, the smoke smell and taste was too muted. The best examples of the smoked porter style make that aspect work well with the normal plusses of a porter. This one misses the mark, if only slightly.

Served In: Pint Glass

A: Medium dark brown color with loose opacity. Head is low but creamy, quality toasted marshmallow color.

S: Really minor smokiness, sort of how your hair smells after you’ve been camping. Some raspberry, blueberry, lactose, minor espresso and

T: Light smokiness is the first flavor to hit the palate. Cold smoke variety, fairly smooth. The porter aspect start out really smooth too; some watery milk chocolate, lactose and perhaps even whipped cream. After the swallow, the roasted personality of the beer begins to shine and the smoke seems to work really well with it. A quality buttery persona found mixed in. I almost get a cinnamon and allspice twang to it. Finishes somewhat complacent and unassuming. Little boring actually.

M: Medium body, texturally nice.

D: I liked this beer more towards the beginning. The longer I drank it, the more I sort of got tired of it.

Served In: Pint Glass