Brick and Mortar Porter is one of two beers Kettlehouse Brewing Co. brewed to celebrate the Montana Legislature’s House Bill 400 which significantly increased the amount of alcohol allowed in beer, opening up a range of new beers for Montanans. Kettlehouse calls this one a Belgian Imperial Porter and serves it at the new Northside location in 9 oz snifter glasses. Imperial, because of the high alcohol content at 11.5% abv.  Belgian, because of a blend of Kettlehouse’s house yeast and Belgian Ale yeast.  Like their Disc Down Oatmeal Brown Ale, this combination essentially creates a style not recognized in the beer annals, which is exactly the point (though Stone Brewing Co. brewed one this year as well). Described as strong and robust, there’s no disagreement about its strength. There is a very pronounced alcoholic note and this one hits you right away.  It is syrupy sweet with a huge mouth feel. I don’t find it to be very robust, though, which I generally associate with a rather pronounced bite from hop bitterness and, typically, roasted malts. There is a porter base here with smooth chocolate undertones, but no discernible hop aroma or flavor.  This one is malt all the way.

Name: Belgian Imperial Porter
Brewery: Kettlehouse Brewing Co., Missoula, MT.
Style: Imperial Porter with a twist.
Color: Very dark brown to black.
Packaging: draft at the Northside location.
Stats: 11.5% abv, ? IBU.
Bought: Kettlehouse Brewing Co.
Ruling: Four out of Five Hops. Excellent example of a strong imperial porter with a twist.