Katy and Sasha are the contributors for Ottawa Beer Events! They have distinctly different palates and in this segment they go head-to-head tasting Ottawa beer. This week they sample Belle Hop Porter from Beyond the Pale Brewing Company.

I know we're clinging to those last four days of summer, hoping the leaves will stay green for a few more days (at least a weekend) more, but it's time to give in. The days are getting shorter, the sun is getting hard to find and aren't you getting a little tired of drinking session IPA after session IPA? When the weather changes beer seasons change and now is a great time to start bumping it up a notch and cozy in to those higher alcohol beers. Beyond the Pale's Belle Hop Porter is a great brew to snap you out of that seasonal mood swing and have you looking forward to the dark and complex world of cold season beers.

Belle Hop Porter pours a deep brown with mahogany highlights and a frothy mocha head that lingered in the glass. Aromas of roasted malt and dark chocolate were prominent with a slight green pepper note as it warms. The flavour is predominantly malt with an emphasis on coffee, roast and dark chocolate but there is a noticeable bitter hop at the end.

With a light body and hidden alcohol flavours this 7.8% ABV brew could be very easy to drink, especially if you're inside on a rainy day with Netflix.