U-Boat is a collaboration between BrewDog and Victory Brewing Company. Devised by Bill Covaleski (co-founder of Victory) alongside Bowman and Franz, this subversive smoked porter has a complex smoky aroma and a superbly balanced flavour. Brewed with a blend of speciality malts and fermented with lager yeast, U-Boat is deceptively different and achieves a flavour and body similar to a chocolate stout but by entirely different means. The nose is warm and smoky, rich with milk chocolate and a hint of espresso, and a subtle lager character. On the palate is a big dark malt sweetness, balanced by the blend of spicy Mittelfruh and citrussy Galena. Cocoa powder, rich dark chocolate, and ripe berries interplay with a toasty burnt sugar bitterness. The mouthfeel is thick and chewy with a treacley quality that doesn’t cloy, as it plays off against the hops and roast malt bitterness.