Bobo’s Robust Porter, a limited release beer from the Big Sky Brewing Co. in Missoula, Montana is a worthy, well-balanced and flavorful porter – even if it does has a chihuahua on the label.

Bobo’s pours a midnight black with a thick cafe au lait head and an aroma that keys on chocolate malts with notes of espresso and hints of floral hops. I found the aroma reminded me of  – of all things – a dark, roasty chocolate milk.

This porter’s initial flavor is that of moderately roasty mocha that keys on a rich – but not overdone – chocolate malt flavors.

Some coffee undertones make their way into the flavor profile at mid-tongue as well as a nicely balancing bit of floral and pine hop flavors. Minor notes of smoky and peat flavors were detected at mid-tongue also.

Hop notes intensify at the back of the throat and carry through into the finish. However, the hops never overpower the beer’s roasty malt profile, as the chocolate and coffee malt flavors dominate the finish.

Bobo’s Robust Porter has a smooth and velvety mouthfeel and is well crafted and balanced. I consider it to be medium to full bodied and full flavored.

Bobo’s is listed as being 6.2% alcohol by volume and was purchased at Beer Crazy in Urbandale.

I recommend the beer as a very worthy porter.

-Tim Hynds