Captain Lawrence Smoked Porter

Brewed by Captain Lawrence Brewing Company
Style: Porter
Pleasantville, New York USA

Rerate: From growler - thanks Jon. Pours with the most perfect, prototypical pockmarked ecru head. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Smoky, but soft, moderately hopped (forest leafiness). Deliciously softly sweet (brown sugar). Just absolutely killer, and so drinkable!

Original: Level of smokiness is perfect; not delicate nor overdone. A little bit of chocolate sweetness below a slightly creamy body. Really robust (woody, smoky, a touch of acrid bitterness). Completely sessionable. Thanks Bendo for the 22.

I have had the smoked porter many times. At the brewery and at random events and bars on tap. I don’t mind that the levels of smoke vary from time to time. It may scream inconsistency but to me its not. Its also mood and what I have before and after and during (food) that changes my perceptions of the leverl of smoke in this one in particular. What I mean by this is the flavor is so balanced and it is such a smooth easy drinking porter that I enjoy it any time. Overall the aroma and taste has a nice moderate smoked malt essence with a nice hint of mild bitter hops, very well utilizes. A little warming and comforting, I enjoy it every time.

Pours dark brown; opaque in the glass. Aroma of smoky malt and roasted coffee. A bit of liquorice and smoky malt in the taste. Fairly dry and smoky finish.

served from a 64oz. growler into pint glasses, purchased today at the brewery A: Lovely deep brown, reminds me of root beer. Aggressive pour yielded a nice 2-finger tan head that leaves very little lacing. Quickly goes away leaving a slight swirling effect as you drink. S: Smells strongly of cola and roasted coffee, not much in the way of hops comes through. Very appealing. T/M: Yum! A very creamy texture, softly carbonated, allows the ample roasted flavors of bready, buttery goodness. A healthy dose of sweet cookie dough in the middle balances things out, and ample bitterness from the coffee flavors finishes things out. Superb! D: This could easily be an all-day drinking beer, perfectly balanced, it beckons you to have another glass. If you find yourself anywhere near Capt. Lawrence’s facility, make sure to stop by and sample this!

Tried this in a Tapas restaurant on tap. Surprisingly easy finish, beautiful dark shadow, makes me want to try their other offerings.

Date: 01/12/2008
Mode: Growler
Source: Tasting, Cellar Party

opaque dark brown, fine tan head, big smoky dark chocolate aroma, rich chocolate flavor, nice dark caramel sweetness, smoke comes in to balance the sweetness but let’s the chocolate remain in control, light lasting bitter finish comes out of the smoke,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.7/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **4

Draft at Ginger Man, NYC. No one aroma or flavor dominates this beer, though its sweetness comes close. There is a blend of smokiness, which is slight, roasted malts, slight bitterness and sweetness. If it wasn’t labeled a smoked porter, you could mistake it for a sweet stout. Dark, dark brown-black body below a tan head. The nose presents roasted malts, caramel, chocolate. The flavor is moderately sweet, lightly bitter and moderately acidic. Very little smoke shows up in the flavor — with only a hint of burnt wood in the finish. Medium body with a dry finish. Low carbonation. Nicely done.

The one is very rich in color and flavors. Black in color and pours with a brown head. This porter is thick compared to other porters I have had. Has a stong aroma of smokey almonds. I’m diggin this beer can’t wait to get it again.