MacTarnahans Blackwatch Cream Porter

Brewed by Portland Brewing Company (Pyramid)
Style: Porter
Portland, Oregon USA

We liked this one a lot . . . Poured from 12 oz. bottle an almost black color with a medium brown head. The head was short lived, but lacing was OK. Aroma is strong featuring chocolate predominately and overall dark malts. Flavor is well-balanced between bitter elements of coffee and roasted malts, and the chocolate and somewhat molasses-like tones. Hops provide adequate bitterness, but do not overpower. The oatmeal is not actually noticeable in the flavor, but clearly helps to smooth this brew overall. This is not really a great example of a "Porter" (nor would we guess it is meant to be), but taken on its own terms it is a very enjoyable brew. (BTW, here in St. Louis, the MacTarnahan products are no longer available as the only distributor locally has dropped them. Hopefully that will change . . . )

Poured a nearly opaque black, no head to speak of. The nose is smokey with rich strong chocolate on the back end. The taste starts the same with a little of that same smokiness with chocolate and a hint of coffee. The end is malty and a little creamy. It’s a little thin for a porter, slightly fizzy as well. It’s an okay porter. Won’t go out of my way for it though.

Black, no head. Syrup nose, woody, chocolate. Lots of cocoa in the flavor, more wood, grainy malt. Way too watery, short finish in cocoa and malt. Finish is reminiscent of chocolate milk. Pretty forgettable overall, except way too syrupy and sweet.

I had this a long time ago and all I wrote down was: A little sweet for my taste, but with a wonderful mouthfeel.

Just finished this one, my first ever cream porter. Colour was a VERY dark brown accompanied by a brown, small head plus ample carbonation. Aroma was a meld of coffee and roasted malt, as was the taste. A nice, unique beer.

Bottle. Pours black with a one finger tan head. Roasty aroma with chocolate and a hint of coffee. Flavor was roasted malts, bitter chocolate, light coffee and a touch of caramel with a semi thin body.

Bottle Pours a good black with a decent tan head. The head leaves quickly but seems to lace okay. Aroma is of rich chocolate. The chocolate overtakes all other aromas. Has a lighter carbonation. The flavor is okay hints of sourness with overpowering chocolate. The mouthfeel is light. Has a bubbly texture. The finish is decent and the aftertaste is not bad. Has a light body. This is okay but seems to missing something. Good for chocolate lovers.

From bottle. Thin head dissapears almost immediately. Pours a very dark brown.Thin to medium to body. Feels almost more like a heavy brown ale. Don’t rate this as very special. Not my favourite porter by along shot. Mouthfeel is way too light for me. No lasting bitterness or malt or anything, really. Bit of dark chocolate on the nose. Tastes too carbonated and I get the flavor of over cooked coffee.