Stranger Than Fiction

Stranger Than Fiction is a moody porter from Hamilton, Ontario's Collective Arts Brewing. At 5.5%, this dark ale is potent, but not overpowering. My first brush with a Collective Arts brew sold in a can, the 473mL vessel still manages to display the variety of art that makes C.A. a unique outfit--in this case, a spooky-eyed lass with antlers.

The beer itself is dark brown, verging on black, with reddish highlights and a supple, fluffy layer of off-white head. It smells of well-roasted malts and has a whiff of mocha. The mouthfeel isn't as velvety as many dark beers, but proves enjoyable all the same. To my palate, the flavour is rich, with a solid malty base and notes of cappuccino and chocolate. There is a nice bitter finish that closed things off quite pleasingly. 

Not remarkable or memorable, Stranger Than Fiction is still a nicely made beer from an inventive Ontario brewer. It's neither sweet nor bitter, which left the beer a touch anemic. While not inventive, the beer is certainly agreeable. A fine Ontarian porter that's well worth trying, from an innovative and risk-taking brewery that I think deserves a lot of credit.

Rating: 7.0 out of 10.