 hiddenvariable (181), pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Mar 17, 2008
bottle. pours a deep dark brown that seems to have some sort of clarity to it when it’s thin enough to let the light through. a nice thick tan head sticks around like an unwanted ex. upon initial smell, what really stands out to me is the hops. they still take a back seat to the dominant roasted malt and light hints of dark chocolate, but this is a hoppy porter. it smells like it’s going to be quite sweet, and as i’m having this for dessert, i find that quite welcoming. just as it smells, the roasted and chocolate malts dominate, but the hops are assertive and impossible to deny. any more hoppy or any less malty and this would come close to a black ipa. a thick, chewy, piney citrusy hop flavor is like that little kid on the plane behind me who kept kicking my seat, except enjoyable. the finish is moderately bitter, and lightly sweet, and the mouthfeel brings it back into the realm of porters, being smooth and creamy, rather than resinous as the hop flavors had me expecting. the medium body and abundant prickly carbonation also stand true to style. while the malt flavors dominate, the hop flavors are quite a bit more assertive than i expect from a porter. i don’t necessarily consider that a bad thing. could be a bit more complex, but quite enjoyable just the same.
blutt59 (501), Dallas, Texas, USA
Jul 17, 2008 bottle, very dark color, nose has a lot of malt and black cherry, flavor is cherry, cocoa and some hop in there, fiinish is dry coffee, very good
nearbeer (1076), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Jul 16, 2008 07 vintage 12 oz. Opaque mahogany with a large head that lasts. Earthy cocoa, grapefruit, resin and caramel aroma. Front flavor follows the aroma, with a nice finish of oak, spicy green herb, char and smoke. Medium body is smooth, hop tingly and nearly chalky-dry.
jake65 (1182), Meridian, Idaho, USA
Jul 4, 2008 Bottle: Murky, middleweight brown pour with a large, foamy tan head. Thick lacing. Roasty and bittersweet cocoa aroma with hoppy hints up front. Taste maintains the good hop presence with a chocolate and malty smooth finish. I like the crisp hoppy, yet smooth chocolately finish here. Nice little hoppy porter.
zach8270 (1404), Henrietta, New York, USA
Jun 17, 2008 (bottle - 12 oz) Rating #1400. Dark black pour with a creamy tan head. Aroma is rich and chocolaty with some good roasted and burnt malts as well. Some light hints of cream. Flavor is very roasted at the beginning with a mildly sweet and bitter chocolate middle and a very thick, creamy, and chewy finish.
pepsican (640), the beer wastelands of, Iowa, USA
Jun 15, 2008 almost black pour with a medium sized tan head. Aroma is up front hops and roasted malt. Chocolate malt flavor with some smoke, nuts, and a bit of hops. Finishes bitter with a tad hint of sweetness to round that out.
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