Sometimes us beer people can get a little… obsessed. Obsessed with finding the new hotness, the latest and greatest hop explosion, the most bitter, toasty, or highest alcohol content libation (made with malt) we can find. This week’s pick is none of those.

This extended winter has kept me searching for more hardy beers, something to curl up on the couch with a roaring fireplace and hope that Spring comes before Memorial Day. Grrr. IPAs, blonde ales, and shandy’s will have to wait till I see grass turning green. I’ve turned my head towards the simple – nothing super high in alcohol, nothing outrageously bitter, or flavored within an inch of its life with something other than hops, malt, and yeast. I was looking for a comforting roast with a touch of sweet to lull me into forgetting I should be preparing the patio for summer entertaining.

Picked up as a left over share from a Minnesota Brewers meeting, the Urban Growler’s De-Lovely porter fit this bill to a tee. My wife and I had been to the Urban Growler taproom once during a Get Knit, Brews and Buses event (which we’re going on again on the 28th) and sampled most of the beer in their lineup at the time. To be honest, I never thought their beers were rave worthy. Good, but not great.

This porter was very tasty. Aroma of chocolate malts, a little bready, and the flavor matched. Rich chocolate flavor but not too much. Low notes of roasted coffee matched perfectly with the chocolate to add a little depth. The mouth feel was full, almost to the point of creamy and stout like, but not quite. Over all, a really good beer. Not outrageously fantastic in its own right but was super satisfying.

Have I had better porters? Yes. Was this the best porter I had at the time? Yes. This brought me back and reminded me of what the true essence of beer drinking is. Enjoying the beer that’s in front of you.

Sometimes the best beer is the one that’s there right when you want it.