on THE TAPHANDLE

Fish Tale Mudshark Porter, a Porter by Fish Brewing Company

On tap at Fritz European Fry House in Bremerton, Washington.

Mudshark was delivered to me dark and enticing. It wore a thin light brown cap.

It smelled of dark chocolate, roasting coals, and wet wood bark. The flavor followed with more of the same—chocolate so dark that it was mostly bitter, with little sweetness; roasted malts; wet wood bark; whispers of pear; and a touch of alcohol. It was solid and firm in the mouth.

Mudshark went well with deep fried fish and Belgian fries. The combined elements of the meal were a perfect respite from the Pacific Northwest late spring/early summer rain and cold.