Dark Horse Reserve Special Black Bier

Brewed by Dark Horse Brewing Company
Style: Porter
Marshall, Michigan USA

On tap at the brewpub. These guys know how to do dark beers. Dark black with a foamy beige head with rocky rivers running through it. Charred wood, coffee, molasses, dark fruits and good hop kick to boot. Wow.

Beautifully brewed porter in every way. Great black oily pour. Intense roasted aroma. Very pronounced roasted (make that, "burnt") flavors...dried fruits, raisins, figs, dates, espresso, molasses, and brown sugar. Hop bitterness there throughout, but strengthens in the finish. Enjoyed with El_ Borracho while touring the brewery. We drank, we looked at each other, and we said, "This might be my new favorite brewpub!"

Thanks to Sully for this one. Poured pitch black with a dark brown head. Aroma is sweet fruits and coffee. I actually noticed that pear seemed to be the dominant fruit. Flavor was mostly dark fruit: raisin and fig with some hints of chocolate. Chalky mouthfeel and slightly bitter and dry in the finish. Reminded me of the Hercule Stout, but better.

Very thick and rich for a porter...looks inviting! Great aroma: a lot of chocolate and even some espresso...a good dose of malts and vanilla. I really like it! The flavor is robust and more like an imperial porter, definetly. Great, creamy and thick mouthfeel. The vanilla comes through in the flavor, as does the coffee. Perfectly roasty. Yum!

Many thanks to OhioDad for this one - opaque pour with substantial, dark tan lace - very smokey aroma, with large amounts of coffee and sweet cream - very smooth, almost oily mouthfeel - quite bitter and roasty, huge coffee notes - plum, vanilla, cream - some hop bitterness at the end compliments the dark roast coffee flavors - a great porter.

Courtesy of Sprinkle. <P> Damn this poured like an Impy! Aroma is roasted coffee and dark chocolate. Deep black with a thin mocha head. Fore is very bitter with lots of coffee notes..hints of sweet cream in the middle along with quality milk chocolate and malt..the finish is again bitter with a big coffee finish. Intense flavor in this porter that could easily pass as a stout.

Bottle from Sully Thanks!

Pours a rich, oil-like black with minimal head and clinging lace. Aroma is wooden chocolate with a touch of smoke. Flavor is an onslaught of coffee, chocolate, hops, and bitterness. Smooth palate; very slick and clingy on the taste buds. A seemingly simple porter in the onset that develops complexity as it lingers on the tongue. Great beer!

WOW! This poured black with a thick creamy brown head. Left really great lacing. Nose seamed to be roasted chocolate, some dark fruits, and cream. Taste was a surprising alcohol kick. Did not know the 8%. There was roasted malts, coffee, raisins, and licorice. This was some bitter hops to make this a very well balanced brew. Thank you so much Sully. This is great. What is missing from this is that sickening sweetness. This is really good.