Great Divide St. Bridgets Porter (St. Brigids)

Dark brown; hints of read. Offwhite to light brown head. I actually liked the aroma more than most here. Chocolate and malt. Earthy. Can’t believe this is so low; not saying it is amazing, but very solid porter. Dominated by chocolate; but hints of malt and roasted coffee. Would have liked a fuller flavor; maybe a little light for the style. But definitely would drink again.

Bottle: Deep red hues among the dark brown with a tan head. The aroma is heavy roasted nuts and the flavor was dominated by earthy features and charcoal. I really thought this was quite yummy and was surprised to see that it only gets 58% for its style.

12 oz. bottled late October 2006. Smells of coffee, burnt toast, and cigarette smoke with a touch of sweetness. The odor is offputting and, frankly, pretty gross. Pours an opaque black with a moderate amount of tan head. As dark a beer as I’ve ever seen. Coffee is overwhelming in the flavor. I hate the taste of actual coffee, but I often like coffee-like flavors in beers. The problem is, I’m not sure that this is a beer and not a chilled coffee. Sugary, fruit juice sweetness emerges after multiple sips. Smooth and soft in the palate. Light-bodied and watery, making it easy to drink despite the substandard taste. St. Bridget’s Porter is a major disappointment from a highly regarded brewery. I’m sure it’s well made, but it is not my cup of tea (or coffee, as the case may be). Great Divide is capable of much better.

Bottle from Chatham Marketplace. Aroma of chocolate malt. Flavor is similar, more cocoa, a little coffee with a nice hop bitterness. An easy drinking porter that I would def pick up again.

Pours a deep, nearly opaque brown with a light tan head. Aroma of roasted malts, chocolate and coffee. Somewhat sour aroma as well. Mouth is slightly creamy. Flavor is roasted and chocolate with a little bit of hops. Finishes light with a little bitterness. Not a bad porter, but I’ve had better.

(Bottle) Pours a dark brown body with a small beige head. Aroma of coffee and roasted malt. Flavor of dark malts and light sweet chocolate with a nice carbonation.

Pours dark with a thick, frothy head. Chocolate aroma, but somewhat sour. Mildly sweet, with heavy chocolate and coffee flavors. Nice, light finish for a porter, with a bit of hops. Good flavor, but the aroma isn’t very pleasant.

Black pour with no head. Burnt coffe aroma and some roasted malts. The medium palate lies underneath bitter and almost burnt coffee flavors. Very one dimensional effort from Great Divide.