Left Hand Fade to Black

Tonight the beer I'll be drinking comes from Left Hand Brewing, their 2nd limited release in the Fade to Black series.  This is a smoked baltic porter, running a hearty 7.8%ABV and 35 IBUs.  The key ingredient is Smoked Munich, which is a malt smoked with Hackberry wood. 

The label design is eye-catching, with a black and white theme and flowing lines that look like flames.  Pouring into my snifter, this pours black-brown with a thin layer of dark tan head.  The smell is full of smoke and wood, as well as roasted chocolate malts.  Also a hint of licorice in there.

The drink brings a blast of smoke and cedar wood.  The smokiness persists from beginning to end, but in the middle there is a bit of coffee and some sweet cocoa.  The finish is warm with alcohol, which is a nice compliment to the smoke flavors.  The texture is smooth and creamy, and the carbonation is on the light side.

Overall Rating:  (4.8 out of 6.0)  This beer really showcases smoked flavors and definitely stands out in the world of porters.  Terrific beer for a cold winter night.  This one is a limited release, so get it while you can.