Australia’s most extreme craft brewer revealed its winter seasonal beer to be an unconventional Imperial/Robust Porter, which Head Brewer Graeme Mahy describes as ‘a beautiful belly-warming beer’.
Made vaguely in the Robust Porter style, but with an alcohol content that allows the beer to be classed as an Imperial Porter, Murray’s Best Extra Porter is part of the company’s seasonal bottled brew program. The hugely popular Autumn seasonal, Murray’s Grand Cru, presented in 330ml bottles, sold out within weeks of its release.
Made from selected roasted malts, Murray’s Best Extra Porter is full bodied, rich and complex. Pouring with a deep ruby colour and creamy off-white head, the beer has an aroma of caramel and bittersweet chocolate, which follows through in the flavour and finishes with a firm, but balanced bitterness. Murray’s Best Extra Porter has 8.0% alcohol by volume.
“Due to the style of the beer, we have purposely lowered the bottle carbonation to give it a more rounded and smooth mouth feel,” said Graeme. “This will also increase the wonderful chocolate/coffee flavours.”
Graeme recommends storing this beer on a shelf, rather than in the fridge, as it will allow the flavours to keep developing. “It’s very satisfying to see the flavours morph and deepen over time. At the moment, there’s a real smokiness that is also starting to develop in the beer. Beautiful!”
Drink Murray’s Best Extra Porter on its own, or as a perfect accompaniment with your favourite chocolate dessert.
But beer lovers will need to be quick.
“Once again, it’s a huge beer, but a tiny batch,” said brewery owner, Murray Howe. “And we’re only making 400 cases of each of our seasonals. So once they’re sold, that’s it for the style for this year.”
Murray’s Best Extra Porter is now available from select retailers in NSW and the ACT. Enthusiasts living outside of these areas won’t miss out – they can purchase online at www.murraysbrewingco.com.au. RRP is $19.99 for a 4-pack of 330ml beer.
For further details on stockists visit www.murraysbrewingco.com.au