The Swill: Pipeline Porter
The Still: Kona Brewing Company
Kona, Hawaii
http://www.konabrewingco.com
The Drill: Porter brewed with Hawaiian coffee, 12oz bottle, 5.4% ABV, available September through March
The Spill: Smooth and highly drinkable, this porter is, in and of itself, not a bold beverage. However, the addition of Kona coffee to the brew enhances its roasty aspect quite nicely. Nearly black in color, the mouthfeel is thin, facilitating the aformentioned ease in going down, though the flavor nearly makes up for it, as does the finish, which is pure coffee.
Says Bill: A popular concept, as readers of this blog have no doubt noticed, coffee added to a good dark beer can serve to increase that which is already inherent in the brewing style. However, exceptional dark beers have no need for the assist when it comes to providing a deep and roasty flavor. Which is not to say that it's cheating, although it kinda is, particularly if you subscribe to the Reinheitsgebot Purity Law. However, it's kinda fun to throw a little flair into a beer now and then, especially if it's done right.
Refill?: I like my beers a little more chewy, like the other stuff you associate with the word pipeline: 3 taps out of 5.