Mendocino Winter Ale (04/05 - Porter)

Formerly brewed at Olde Saratoga Brewing (Mendocino Brewing Co.)
Style: Porter
Saratoga Springs, New York USA

Deep, dark brown pour with a fair tan head. Not much staying power but did leave good lace. Roasty coffee, bitter chocolate, sweet malt, hops and a touch of smoke. Flavors are the same and very robust with a sharply bitter, dry, alcohol tainted finish. Decent body and feel. I didn’t get much in the way of this "warming spiciness" though. I’ll try again with another bottle.

honestly i was a bit disappointed by this beer. it poured inky black with dark tan head. the nose was of spice (perhaps nutmeg or clove) and roasted malts. Then came the subpar flavor. i was hoping for more spice, i really didnt get any of that. i did taste a strong roasty character and alcohol. was a fine porter, i was just hoping for something extra.

2004-2005 bottle. Opaque dark coal-brown pour with a moderate amount of rich, tan head. Plenty of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. Aroma of light roast, lots of hops (light green hop smell, with some sweet orange and grapefruit in there), some chocolate and peanut brittle. Flavor begins with a strong roast, that is neither too dry or astringent, followed by sweet chocolate and caramel malts, well extracted and of course, the hops. Everything hangs in a very rounded balance, with a lightly gritty, medium-full to full body. You can really tell that they didn’t skimp on the malting and hops here, which was surprising to me, to be honest. Finishes moderately dry, with some Spanish coffee notes, hints of vanilla and light chocolate. Moderate carbonation does not harm the flow of the body. Little to no alcohol apparency. Bravo Mendocino Brewing!

Black Coloring with Small Head. Coffee Aroma..Some Chocolate and Harsh Roast Flavor.. A Good Porter That You Would Need to be in The Mood For.

Aroma is faint and mediciny though sort of pleasant. Dark chocolate and licorice flavors dominate, much like brown Curacao liqueur, especially in the finish. Strong flavor and body hides the 7% alcohol well. Hops show through if you let it sit in the mouth. Not bad, but maybe a bit too classic-porter harshness for a special edition winter.

Aroma is of chocolate, alcohol and a unique type of hops, perhaps the Warrior hops? Avg.-sized light brown head. Fully opaque. Lace is artful and unpredictable. Dry, with some bittersweet chocolate. Smoke. 7% alcohol, although evident in the nose is largely hidden on the palate. Some sourness. Hops come out more at mid glass, making this more than just your average "porter". This tastes more like an imperial stout than a porter. Could be a touch sweeter, a touch hoppier and have a touch more alcohol. The label is a little goofy, ranging from turquoise to light purple. Still, I like this brew, even though I feel my diet going down the tubes. Thanks Slikwily!

The nose was roasty w/ hints of coffee. The pour was opaque to deep brown w/ dark orange hues. The head was thin and there was only slight lacing. The flavor was roasty and malty w/ hints of coffee and alcohol sweetness. The mouthfeel was creamy and full.

Smokey bitter chocolate on a thick body. Bitter malts effect. Inquisitive without being rude. Aftertaste has staying power--I’ll taste this one tomorrow.