2012 Big Beer Series Release #1: Baltic Porter

Shipments Begin January 9!!!

           It's finally Baltic Porter time.  Sure, it's a few months late, but this was the best we could do with a surprisingly busy production schedule.  How busy?  Here are a few numbers for you.  With the same amount of tank space as in 2010, we sold and shipped 37,556 barrels of Smuttynose beer this year, which reflects 28.6% growth from last year.  This figure includes both our FX Matt production (4500 barrels total), as well as the two or so weeks we weren't able to bottle beer during the installation of our new-to-us bottle filler.  

          In fact, the difficulties of the filler install were one of the causes of the delay in packaging 2011's Imperial Stout release.  The other portion of the Big Beer Series delays were the result of increased demand of year round and seasonal beers preventing us from over-lapping Big Beer production.

          Since Baltic Porter and Really Old Brown Dog are two of our best-loved Big Beers, the decision to push them into 2012 was very easy to make.  So without further ado, here is some information on the style of beer and this year's release.

           Baltic porters came into the world almost exactly like imperial stouts; 18^th Century British brewers found a lucrative trade selling strong dark beers to states along the Baltic Sea.  It didn’t take too long for local breweries in Sweden, Poland and Finland to learn to make their own versions of these strong, imported ales.  Following continental Europe’s mid 19^th Century explosion in lager brewing, Baltic brewers sought to streamline their production and began using these new, in-vogue yeasts in their dark beers as well and a new style was born!

            We’ve brewed Smuttynose Baltic Porter in a nod to the more recent versions utilizing the same lager yeast that we’ve always used.  One taste of its smooth roastiness and you’ll see why this black beauty is one of our best-loved Big Beers.

           

Food Pairings:  While Baltic porters, like many dark ales, don’t offer the pairing versatility of other beer styles, pairings that do work well are pretty spot on.  Write your shopping list to include oysters, ham, aged cheddar cheese and any sort of creamy dessert from your favorite vanilla ice cream to crème brulee or tiramisu.  You might even add a small pour to a molé sauce.

Stat Box

9.24% abv

35 IBU

Starting Extract: 20.8° Plato  Finishing Extract: 4.9° Plato

Malts: North American 2-Row, Munich 10L, Caramunich, Carahell, Carafa II DH

Hops: Sterling

Yeast: White Labs WLP-920 Old Bavarian Lager

Production size: 150 barrels (4650 gallons)

Just remember that your local wholesaler may not have the Baltic Porter during the week of January 9, since we simply include their allocation on their next order.  

Next up, Really Old Brown Dog in March!