This is, perhaps my favorite porter style ale at the moment, if it’s possible to have such a thing. Elemental Porter from New Zealand’s Renaissance Brewing is a rich, robust porter. I choose to use a tall, footed pokal style glass which showcases the creamy, light brown head superbly. This is a dark auburn porter, supported by a medium and creamy mouth feel. The aroma (from the malt) invites the nose with moderately heavy of bread, medium coffee, subtle roasted cereal notes, hints of black licorice and dark chocolate confront the drinker initially. The bouquet (from the hops), as you might expect in a porter, hides beneath the malt. Revealing itself as only the lightest notes of herbs with just a suggestion of pine. Once the initial impression has been experienced I find a few more qualities of note begin to become apparent. There is a hint of smoke and soy sauce hovering above a sweat note of vanilla. This porters flavour begins with a light sweetness and light to moderate bitterness and finishes equally bitter, loosing the sweetness over time, becoming lightly acidic. These full and balanced aromas and flavours linger on the palate for an average period of time. ♦♦♦♦♦
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