Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Port Brewing's "Hot Rocks" Lager

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jan 7, 2011 10:20PM

Kicking off 2011 in style here with our first look at Port Brewing out of California. That's incorrect; we've featured Port's Lost Abbey series a few times. But never an actual Port selection. Here's one worth the search.

Winter lagers tend to veer toward the darker end of the style. Port's "Hot Rocks" is a "stein bier" style lager. Brewed using German Magnum and Tettnanger hops, which give the beer a slight bitterness that doesn't get in the way of the sugars from the malt. And those sugars are caramelized in the wort with the addition of glowing hot granite to the kettle. You'll taste some toffee and smoked caramel on the palate, with a slight dryness on the finish.

Beer Menus Chicago lists Hot Rocks as being available at Lunar Brewing Company Brewpub (54 E. St. Charles Rd., Villa Park, 630-530-2077). We bought our bottles at — where else? — LUSH Wine & Spirits University Village.