Left Hand Smoke Jumper Smoked Imperial Porter

     Review Date 1/4/2007

I’m always on the lookout for new beers. Whenever I see one, I usually buy it. These days, however, after sampling some 3259 (and counting) different beers, it takes something extra special to really make me stop and say “wow!” before I buy. I did, however, say “wow!” when I saw a bottle of Left Hand Brewing Smoke Jumper Smoked Imperial Porter on a store shelf.

To be sure, I’ve had smoked beers before, lots of them Smoked porters, too. But a smoked imperial porter? That’s a new one. Imperial porters are much bigger, bolder, and stronger than normal porters, and they’re really lagers, too, not ales. As such, they have the wherewithal to stand up to some smoked malt.

Smoked beers are really a German invention, inspired by the days when kilning (drying malt over a fire) was not a perfect science. Inevitably, some smoke got into the mix and flavored the malt. People decided they liked this, and there you go, Bob's your uncle.

Smoke Jumper is named after those brave souls who risk their lives combating forest fires. And what better than a smoke beer to do that with? I encourage you to think of them as you sip this wonderful brew, and know that Left Hand is committed to more than naming a beer in their honor: they donate money to worthy causes on their behalf as well.

Left Hand claims to use barley malt smoked over a combination of five hardwoods. And you’ll certainly believe it when you take a sip. Interestingly, the Left Hand website pegs this one at 9.2% alcohol by volume, though my bottle says 10.5%. Either way, that’s strong brew. Malts listed are Rauch malt, hand smoked malt, two-row, chocolate, special B, wheat, and roasted barley. Magnum and Mt. Hood hops are used, and the beer has on original gravity of about 1.082 with 67 IBUs of hop bitterness.

Left Hand Brewing Smoke Jumper Smoked Imperial Porter pours to an inky jet black color with a thick and creamy tan head formation and a hickory smoky licorice nose. Once you take a sip, you know this beer is a real treat as the thick, rich texture lolls over the tongue, depositing powerful chocolate and licorice flavors. You’ll also get espresso and a hint of fruity raisin, too, maybe even some green olive.

Then the smoke hits you, and intensifies as the beer progresses into the finish. It’s strong but never overpowering, as the other flavors are too strong to allow that to happen. Still, the hickory-smoke character is unmistakable. That woody smokiness melds nicely with the roasted barley malt character, licorice notes and warming alcohol sensation as the final elements of the brew.

This is a big beer at 10.5% alcohol by volume, with loads of big flavors going on. A smoked imperial porter-what a great idea. Ask for it wherever Left Hand beers are sold. A bit pricey at $11 for a 750ml cage corked bottle, bit truly worth every penny.