 Ughsmash (2613), Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
May 1, 2008
Thanks to Larry for the "growler"! Poured deep brown with a short, creamy cap of beige head. The aroma picked up sweeter and roasty darker chocolates with a heavy dose of black patent malts.. a bit lighter brown sugar and molasses also came through.. warm and pleasant. The flavor found darker chocolates and coffee bitterness with sporadic accents of bright pine and herbal bitterness.. sticky herbs at the end.. this didn’t come together as I had hoped. Rather grainy on the palate with low-moderate carbonation.. sticky and sweeter on the back.. decent, but short of expectations.
hophead75 (1555), Boonton, New Jersey, USA
May 4, 2008 TAP NY 08. Nearly black in color with a small off white head. Aroma- pretty nice with coffee, light black patent, chocolate, and caramel. Taste has a decent amount of coffee, mild roast, chocolate, caramel, and light bready yeast. light to Medium bodied with a dry moderate hop bittering finish. Some light lingering coffee and hop bitterness. Pretty good.
kujo9 (1038), North Ridgeville, Ohio, USA
May 3, 2008 750 ML bottle from a trade w/ Goldtwins. Thanks Larry! Deep brown pour w/a lasting smallish light beige head. Coffee and roasted immediately in the nose, but not overbearing. Semi sweet chocolate morsel, toasted malt notes, and hints of malted milk balls and raisiny dark fruit and a touch of woody aroma. Also a light caramel w/a also a hint of acetaldehyde tartness that adds to complexity rather than detracts. Yeastiness also chimes in, and very pleasant. Flavor is much the same, but more harmoniously blended and well balanced. Light tartness from grains, roasty, but not overly so, great use of coffee and patent malt! Chocolate and toasted malt notes w/ a hint of dark fruit more present in the aroma than flavor. Finish and aftertaste are on the dry side w/ chocolate and roasty notes and a touch of caramel. Moderately fruity w/ a semi sweet chocolate aftertaste. Low medium CO2, a bit on the semi dry mouthfeel side, and lighter medium body. 7.8% ABV... Are you kidding me? Very, very well hidden! This is a really, really good beer! Admittedly I’ve not had a great amount of porters and I’m not a huge fan of coffee beers, but this is a pretty damn good one, and very dangerous given the higher ABV. The coffee is well used and not overpowering, but adds great character to an already solid beer. Thanks a ton for this one Larry!
vyvvy (1516), Hazelwood, Missouri, USA
May 2, 2008 On tap at Spitzer’s in NYC. Pours very dark brown with a large thick tan head. The aroma has lots of rich dark chocolate and coffee malt. The malt is heavily roasted, just short of being char-like. The body is thick, smooth and velvety with light carbonation. The taste is very rich and smooth with lots of coffee, yet is not off putting to a non-coffee drinker such as myself. There is also copious amounts of dark chocolate. The finish adds some spicy hops and light char. I wish I would have had time to have more of this gem while I was in town. Thumbs up to this great porter.
kmweaver (1577), Takoma Park, Maryland, USA
Apr 28, 2008 750mL screwtop, courtesy of Ughsmash. Thanks, Jason! Pours a murky, dark chocolate color; very light tan head with fine-bubbled lacing. Basic coca, milk chocolate, and toastiness in the aroma; slightly bland; some cereal. Medium mouthfeel: basic cocoa, cereal, and wet grains upfront; some chalkiness and chocolate; basic, dry cereal. Medium finish: chocolate, cocoa, and a touch of coffee and dry cereal.
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