OK, Terrapin Beer Company of Athens, Georgia. I just had a beer from you I didn’t really like very much, your T-Time Berliner Weisse with Tea and Lemon. Sorry. Didn’t work for me. Of course it didn’t take long for the naysayers to blame that on the fact Terrapin is owned by MillerCoors, which used to be SAB Miller, and Miller Coors before that. Let’s not even go there.

Anyway, I had faith in you nonetheless, and for that very reason popped a can of Terrapin Side Project 28: Smoke on the Porter for a shot at redemption. Smoke on the Porter was released at the end of October 2016, and I just happened to have a can in my beer fridge on a fine Sunday afternoon in late August of 2017. Now before we go any further, let’s get that refrain in our heads out of the way:

Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

Smoke on the water

There you go. Now a little from Terrapin, from the can label:

Like music to your ears, “Smoke on the Porter” is that song you just can’t seem to get out of your head. Brewed with beechwood smoked malt and aged on French oak, this old world lager will keep you humming that familiar tune.

And of course I already gave you the relevant lyrics from that song. You’re welcome!

Terrapin Side Project 28: Smoke on the Porter has an alcohol content of 8.5% by volume with 30 IBUs. The tough part about this one is the price: $13.99 a six-pack.

Terrapin Side Project 28: Smoke on the Porter pours to a midnight black color with a thick fluffy tan head and a super, I mean super smoky nose. There’s licorice in the nose too, and hickory like smokiness as I draw the rim of the glass nearer to my nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a thick, full mouthfeel with deep roasted chocolate nose, lots of licorice, a hint of caramel, woody oak and a Schlenkerla-like acrid smokiness all leading into a smooth, smoky roasty finish. I don’t get the vanilla, but man do I get everything else. It’s slightly phenolic, reminiscent of Alaskan Smoked Porter. Smoke and oak! It’s amazing!

Normally I would deduct something for the high price, but folks, this beer is worth it. It was wonderful with 10 months of age, and I hope they bring it back as a regular release (they have done this with Side Projects before). Is it a Baltic Porter, or is it a Rauchbier? Both, really. The smoke is so pervasive though that I’ll peg it in the latter category.



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