First we came up with an Imperial Porter that we call Fortune Teller East India Imperial Porter. That was October, 2011.

Then we come up with a barrel-conditioned version. We called that one Zoltar, in December, 2011.

As if that wasn’t enough, we go further. First, a cherry conditioned version.

Then we thought that since British coloniztion of India was our inspiration, we should do a version that pairs with their delicious spicy food.

In comes Smoke Teller Spicy Soothsayer. After barrel-conditioning, we smoked jalapeno, serrano and Scotch Bonnet hot peppers until they were fully collapsed, then added them to Zoltar.

The result is an oakey backbone with bitter cholocate notes against lingering residual spice notes. Nuanced, yet memorable.

Smoke Teller (Spicy Soothsayer)

Style Guidelines: Barrel-conditioned East India Imperial Porter (Zoltar) infused with hot peppers

Rotation Schedule: once in a blue moon

Food Pairings: Excellent accompaniment to shellfish, especially oysters in any form. Porter pairs nicely with almost any meat dish. Mushrooms; rosemary; chicken. The imperial nature of this beer pairs well with spicy Indian or Thai cuisine or any assertive hard cheese.

Body: medium to full
Color: nut brown

Grain: British pale, chocolate and Victory

Bittering Hops: Columbus, Cascade, Centennial and Millenium
Finishing Hops: Centennial, Columbus, Cascade

Original Gravity: 1.080
IBUs (estimate): 67
Alcohol By Volume: 7.5%

First Tapped: January 2012