Here’s a tasty beer from the Burnt Hickory Brewery of Kennesaw, Georgia: Courageous Conductor Red Velvet Cake Porter. The beer is sold in bottles though I’ve never seen it as it seems to be a seasonal, occasional offering. I do see Burnt Hickory beers quite commonly offered in bottles at Total Wine and Sherlocks, and on tap here in Canton at Stout’s Growlers and at Taco Mac.

The latter location, Taco Mac, is where I found Courageous Conductor on a fine Thursday night in early May. Kennesaw isn’t all that far from us, so I’m surprised we don’t see Burnt Hickory more often. Anyway, the Courageous Conductor was here tonight so I was all over it.

Burnt Hickory Courageous Conductor Red Velvet Porter is a beer with a historical connection attached to the name. The label explains:

On the morning of April 12^th, 1862, Union spies absconded with the loyal steam engine The General it was an easy heist. What they didn’t count on was the locomotive’s courageous conductor, William Fuller. On foot, he chased down his stolen engine and got it back. This beer is dedicated to his persistence and his moxie.

Those interested in history and beer can visit both Burnt Hickory and The General in Kennesaw.

Burnt Hickory Courageous Conductor Red Velvet Porter has an alcohol content of 8% by volume, and I paid $6.50 for an 11-ounce glass at Taco Mac.

That glass of Burnt Hickory Courageous Conductor Red Velvet Porter arrived jet black in color with a thick creamy head and roast and raspberry in the nose. Sipping, I get dark chocolate and raspberry and cherry in the palate, with a deep dark roasty bittersweet chocolate finish. Not getting the vanilla but the beer is very delicious indeed.

Truth be told, Burnt Hickory Courageous Conductor Red Velvet Porter did not recall Red Velvet Cake for me, certainly not in the way that Ballast Point Red Velvet Golden Oatmeal Stout does. That said, it was truly delicious, and if I see it in the bottle or at the growler shop, I’ll be all over it my friends.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 

 



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