Buzzards Bay West Porter

Formerly brewed at Just Beer (fka Buzzards Bay Brewing)
Style: Porter
Westport, Massachusetts USA

2004 bottle. I knew my faith in this brewery was well-placed. Pours an ultra dark-brown, seemingly opaque though perhas just very dark, as I dont believe it is bottle conditioned/unfiltered. Anyways, dark as night with a solid, burnt tan head. Aroma gives away hints of rotten veggies at first, but as it warms and breathes, this turns in to a very deep underlying chocolate malt mixed with some smoked malt and salty roast. Flavor begins with a dose of salty, bacon like smoke, a big dose of rich dark coffee roast and moves in to a bit more of a sweet chocolate. Hops bitterness is not dominant, but is noticeable and provides good balance on the finish. Hints of licorice on the finish as well. Body begins with too much carbonation, my biggest complaint with this beer, but evens out as it sits. Because of the relatively high carbonation, the body comes across as medium to medium-full. The flavor, especially the roasty/smoky part is just divine though.

This is easily the best from this brewery. A little hoppier than I’m accustomed to, for the style, with a clean, rich roasted malt body. Pretty wicked pissah, doods.

Color is strictly ebon, head is thick and tall, a deep cocoa/brown. Aroma is perfect for a porter, full of all things nice: coffee, cream, toffee, a touch of chocolate. Rich, sweet, uplifting. Hop delivery is pleasing, though brief, upon the palate. Malt is fully in charge here, and is sweet and luscious. Very drinkable, and hops make return appearance throughout, allowing for for tasty texture and rewarding drinking. I would easily choose this excellent porter as a session brew, though I’d surely be distracted by the flavor.

Roasted grain, caramel, chocolate, coffee aroma. Deep nut brown hue. Rich foamy tan head. Sweet malts dominate first, medium bodied, nice bitter finish. Creamy chocolate earthy lingering finish. I enjoy this porter, very drinkable.

Re-Rate 04/12/02, Another Missing Beer? Pours a nice deep brown, the head beige, the nose is malt, slight toastyness, and some caramel tones also noted. Front is sweet malt, the top medium, the finish is dry and acidic, hops present, drinkable, and worth a try.

dark brown color with a slightly reddish hue, very little head, aroma of nicely roasted malt, a mocha character as well, with a light touch of hops; roasted malt flavor, chocolate and mocha, also a bit of a rich malty touch similar to doppelbocks, flavor just a tiny bit light and texture is average for a porter

Roasted and slightly vinous aroma, bit of chocolate as well. Unexceptional appearance. Warmed up nicely, with some occasional bursts of flavor. Distinctly dry, mild bitter aftertaste. Slightly slippery, oily palate, but other times striking a watery tone. Decent porter (and thus well above average in the beer world) but didn’t thrill me. I liked the legal disclaimer on the back of the bottle--one that I hadn’t seen before: "Chart on front not meant for navigational purposes." Yeah, like some guys on a boat off of Massachusetts find themselves lost and one of them says, "hey, I know! We’ll use this Buzzard map on this bottle...."

Very dark brown,tan head.Aroma of roasted malts.Sweet,bready/malty flavor with atouch of fruit and acidity.