 ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Nov 25, 2007
Draught pint at Redbones on 11/1/07
Thin, but well-retained dark beige head tops a maroon-tinted-chocolate brown body, medium-high clarity. Little lacing.
Roast and chocolate are the mainstays of the aroma, with neither dominating, and neither being all that aromatic, really. But fresh yeast and green, juicy hops add some further complexity. Muted vinousness emerges slightly with warming, but gooey fudge notes interrupt. Some bare specks of exposed roasted malts do dry the finish, but lend a bit too much ashiness.
Very smooth, chewy texture is immediately attractive, while milk chocolate-like malt sweetness fills out the body and the palate goes to work digesting. Green, juicy, floral and lightly citric hops add little/no bitterness and typical American porter flavors. Dry, grainy malts, soft, doughy yeast and burnt malt notes all succeed in muting the finish, but some bitter cocoa-like notes persist. The chewy body helps balance the bitterness for the most part, however, and what’s left is a drinkable, straightforward porter, leaving, perhaps, a little more flavor and vinousness to be desired. No alcohol or flaws noted.
masonjer (394), Lansing, Michigan, USA
Jul 1, 2008 Thanks to brewdad for giving me a chance to try this. Poured thick black into the glass. Bitter chocolate on the nose. Taste was chocolate, a hint of coffee, black licorice, with a nice bittersweet finish. Full bodied and flavorful. a bit underrated I would say.
Skyview (2641), Papoose Jct., Minnesota, USA
Jun 24, 2008 On draught at the brewery taproom in Snoqualmie, WA. Pours an opaque dark brown brew with a creamy beige head that has some good retention and some spotty lacing. Aroma of oatmeal malt, dark chocolate a touch of coffee and some roasted nuts. Taste is medium bodied, mild carbonation with flavors of roasted dark malt, dark chocolate, and some coffee. Finish is slightly sweet at first and then quickly changes to a dry oatmeal and multi-grain malt aftertaste.
Angeloregon (1516), Portland, Oregon, USA
Jun 7, 2008 Glass enjoyed at Bailey’s Taproom in PDX--Poured a deep dark black body with a small tan head. Nose of mild cacao and a dash of coffee bean. Dry, chalky, nutty, and bitter. Finished a little thin and oily, but overall quite delicious.
DA (2261), Portland, Oregon City, Oregon, USA
May 20, 2008 On tap at the Green Dragon. Pours dark brown with a small tan head. Fairly smooth porter, lighter roasted body, soft cocoa flavor up front, more of a bakers chocolate flavor towards the finish. A touch watery, lacked the creamy smoothness of some porters, opting instead for a crisper more pronounced hopped quality.
chokmah33 (82), Bremerton, Washington, USA
May 2, 2008 Aromas of molasses, vanilla, raw grains. Some cherry fruitiness, oak, and smoke.
Tastes of dark chocolate, darkly toasted marshmellows (a sweet woody flavor).
Dominated by sublte roasted malts.
Hints of hazelnuts (think nutella).
Good bittersweet finish.
Easy-going palate, creamy texture.
Finishs dry and sticky, like a bitter chocolate milkshake.
A sublty satsifying porter, not overly thick + smoky like many of the genre.
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