Baird Baba Oatmeal Smoked Porter is a 5.7% porter from Baird Beer based in Shuzenji, Shizuoka. It’s part of their draft only range and is the flagship beer for the Baird Takadanobaba Taproom, which opened in May 2016. At the time of writing, it can only be found at that branch and there are no plans to release it in bottles or on tap at the other taprooms.
Baird Baba Oatmeal Smoked Porter Aroma and Taste
Baird Baba Oatmeal Smoked Porter came up a pitch black colour with a fair amount of frothy tan head but that what to be expected as it is a hand-pump beer. The head quickly died down into itself though it did cling to the side of the glass. It had a strong aroma of smoky meatiness to it, though not as strong as a rauch and not as potent as the Yokohama Peated Black. There was also a slight edge of coffee and chocolate to it though the flavours were faint in comparison to the smoke.
The beer telegraphed in the aroma what it is going to taste like – the smoky meatiness was present in the body, kind of resembling some smoked bacon really. Along with that, there was a nuttiness to it which I guess should be attributed to the oatmeal used. There was also some hints of coffee and a faint chocolate edge to Baird Baba Oatmeal Smoked Porter but throughout drinking, the smoke was the dominant flavour. It was ever present, right through to the aftertaste as well.
Baird Baba Oatmeal Smoked Porter The Bottom Line
Baird Baba Oatmeal Smoked Porter is a marmite beer – if you like smoky beers then you’ll like this. If not, then best give it a miss.