Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Porter Beer Tasting: Jan 1 - Jan 15

• oregonbeerlover

  

  Member
   

  December 26, 2008

  Starting the New Year off with some dark, rich brew. Too soon to start belly-busting yet, we've got beer to drink. Porters, both domestic and imports are what we are talking about here.

  Starting the New Year off with some dark, rich brew. Too soon to start belly-busting yet, we've got beer to drink. Porters, both domestic and imports are what we are talking about here.
• oregonbeerlover

  

  Member
   

  December 27, 2008

  I know we started early....pre-mature beer drinking, is there a drug for that? Anyway:
  
  Butte Creek Brewing, Co. - Chico, CA
  Organic Porter
  5.9% ABV
  
  This porter poured out a walnut brown color, without much head, although others have said it leaves a 2 finger head...I disagree
  
  Aroma: predominant of molasses, malt and roasted nuts
  
  Taste: malty, caramel, smoked nuts. It says on the label - chocolate, but I did not get that.
  
  A bit watery for a porter, reminded me more of an ale, not rich and thick. Tastes Ok, just not what I'd grab if I want a porter.
  
  Give it a "B" grade
  

  I know we started early....pre-mature beer drinking, is there a drug for that? Anyway:
  
  Butte Creek Brewing, Co. - Chico, CA
  Organic Porter
  5.9% ABV
  
  This porter poured out a walnut brown color, without much head, although others have said it leaves a 2 finger head...I disagree
  
  Aroma: predominant of molasses, malt and roasted nuts
  
  Taste: malty, caramel, smoked nuts. It says on the label - chocolate, but I did not get that.
  
  A bit watery for a porter, reminded me more of an ale, not rich and thick. Tastes Ok, just not what I'd grab if I want a porter.
  
  Give it a "B" grade
  
• ilovebeer

  

  Member
   

  December 28, 2008

  Well I had to tackle the "STONE Smoked Porter" as I was tasting this I was reading the bottle and had to agree with damn near everything it said...one thing I did not get is the Chocolate notes, so here it is right off the label:
  "Quote"
  
  "Stone Smoked Porter is dark, rich and complicated. Our Smoked porter has a captivatingly deep mahogany color, complimented by silky dark tan head. Rich, full bodied and robust. Smooth, with chocolate and coffee-like flavors balanced by the subtle "smoky" character of just the right amount of peat-smoked specialty malt."
  
  I was very happy with this beer, but not surpised... It's made by Stone....
  
  ABV 5.9
  Cost: Who cares....just buy it and drink it.... (maybe 4 bucks)
  Score: Kick grandma down 2 flights of stairs XX

  Well I had to tackle the "STONE Smoked Porter" as I was tasting this I was reading the bottle and had to agree with damn near everything it said...one thing I did not get is the Chocolate notes, so here it is right off the label:
  "Quote"
  
  "Stone Smoked Porter is dark, rich and complicated. Our Smoked porter has a captivatingly deep mahogany color, complimented by silky dark tan head. Rich, full bodied and robust. Smooth, with chocolate and coffee-like flavors balanced by the subtle "smoky" character of just the right amount of peat-smoked specialty malt."
  
  I was very happy with this beer, but not surpised... It's made by Stone....
  
  ABV 5.9
  Cost: Who cares....just buy it and drink it.... (maybe 4 bucks)
  Score: Kick grandma down 2 flights of stairs XX
• Rick

  

  Member
   

  January 1, 2009

  Yuengling Porter
  Pottsville, Pa
  
  Yuengling Porter pours dark with a nice foamy head. Taste-wise, it is fairly light for a porter, but it is not bad. Yuengling is the oldest operating brewery in the United States and they have brewing porter since the 1960s, when most American breweries were making things like Bud, Miller and Schlitz.

  Yuengling Porter
  Pottsville, Pa
  
  Yuengling Porter pours dark with a nice foamy head. Taste-wise, it is fairly light for a porter, but it is not bad. Yuengling is the oldest operating brewery in the United States and they have brewing porter since the 1960s, when most American breweries were making things like Bud, Miller and Schlitz.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  January 3, 2009

  Rogue Mocha Porter, 5.30% ABV
  Rogue Ales Brewery, Portland, Oregon
  
  This Mocha Porter from Rogue Ales pours out dark brown, almost black in color, with a thick, dense, tan colored head. Decent lacing on the glass. Aromas of roasted malts, coffee and a slight caramel sweetness come through on the nose. In the mouth there are some mild coffee flavors but mostly a coffee bitterness with a hint of sweetness and malt. This was on the light side of medium bodied to me with a good dose of carbonation. The finish was fairly short, bitter and slightly drying. I was expecting more coffee with this being labelled "Mocha Porter" but I did not find that.

  Rogue Mocha Porter, 5.30% ABV
  Rogue Ales Brewery, Portland, Oregon
  
  This Mocha Porter from Rogue Ales pours out dark brown, almost black in color, with a thick, dense, tan colored head. Decent lacing on the glass. Aromas of roasted malts, coffee and a slight caramel sweetness come through on the nose. In the mouth there are some mild coffee flavors but mostly a coffee bitterness with a hint of sweetness and malt. This was on the light side of medium bodied to me with a good dose of carbonation. The finish was fairly short, bitter and slightly drying. I was expecting more coffee with this being labelled "Mocha Porter" but I did not find that.
• ilovebeer

  

  Member
   

  January 3, 2009

  Alaskan Smoked Porter 2008 Edition.
  Juneau, Alaska
  6.5% ABV
  
  Pours out dark brown body, with a 1 inch thick mocha head.
  
  Alder smoke in the aroma (like when your smoking salmon). Thick deep intoxicating layers of smokiness can I say HUGE smoke, underlayers of chocolate, and hefty backing of roasted malt. Aroma is absolutely huge, and perfect for the style. ( I don't think you can say SMOKE enough).
  
  A good amount of roasted malts attack the palate immediately, followed up closely by some insanely deep highly complex smoky notes. The roasted notes, and the smoke, blend perfectly creating a flavor tone that is just absolutely amazing.
  
  This is perfection, this beer nails the head on everything. Insanely complex and with no apparent faults, this one easily deserves a big high five in my book, but it's not for everyone like my wife (oregonbeerlover) was so, so on this one.
  
  

  Alaskan Smoked Porter 2008 Edition.
  Juneau, Alaska
  6.5% ABV
  
  Pours out dark brown body, with a 1 inch thick mocha head.
  
  Alder smoke in the aroma (like when your smoking salmon). Thick deep intoxicating layers of smokiness can I say HUGE smoke, underlayers of chocolate, and hefty backing of roasted malt. Aroma is absolutely huge, and perfect for the style. ( I don't think you can say SMOKE enough).
  
  A good amount of roasted malts attack the palate immediately, followed up closely by some insanely deep highly complex smoky notes. The roasted notes, and the smoke, blend perfectly creating a flavor tone that is just absolutely amazing.
  
  This is perfection, this beer nails the head on everything. Insanely complex and with no apparent faults, this one easily deserves a big high five in my book, but it's not for everyone like my wife (oregonbeerlover) was so, so on this one.
  
  
• oregonbeerlover

  

  Member
   

  January 3, 2009

  ilovebeer says I was so-so, but I think the Alaskan Smoked Porter would be excellent with smoked salmon and smoked meats and cheeses. Just tasted different with our wings and fries. Smoky to the extreme!

  ilovebeer says I was so-so, but I think the Alaskan Smoked Porter would be excellent with smoked salmon and smoked meats and cheeses. Just tasted different with our wings and fries. Smoky to the extreme!
• BludySky

  

  Member
   

  January 3, 2009

  
  Rogue Mocha Porter, 5.30% ABV
  Rogue Ales Brewery, Portland, Oregon
  
  This Mocha Porter from Rogue Ales pours out dark brown, almost black in color, with a thick, dense, tan colored head. Decent lacing on the glass. Aromas of roasted malts, coffee and a slight caramel sweetness come through on the nose. In the mouth there are some mild coffee flavors but mostly a coffee bitterness with a hint of sweetness and malt. This was on the light side of medium bodied to me with a good dose of carbonation. The finish was fairly short, bitter and slightly drying. I was expecting more coffee with this being labelled "Mocha Porter" but I did not find that.
  
  
  I have to agree, I was going to also do the the Mocha Porter, but after reading your description, I don't feel the need. I'll have to find another.

  [quote=Mark]
  Rogue Mocha Porter, 5.30% ABV
  Rogue Ales Brewery, Portland, Oregon
  
  This Mocha Porter from Rogue Ales pours out dark brown, almost black in color, with a thick, dense, tan colored head. Decent lacing on the glass. Aromas of roasted malts, coffee and a slight caramel sweetness come through on the nose. In the mouth there are some mild coffee flavors but mostly a coffee bitterness with a hint of sweetness and malt. This was on the light side of medium bodied to me with a good dose of carbonation. The finish was fairly short, bitter and slightly drying. I was expecting more coffee with this being labelled "Mocha Porter" but I did not find that.
  [/quote]
  
  I have to agree, I was going to also do the the Mocha Porter, but after reading your description, I don't feel the need. I'll have to find another.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  January 3, 2009

  Stone Smoked Porter, 5.90% ABV
  Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, CA
  
  This Smoked Porter from Stone Brewing Co. pours out dark chocolate brown with pretty good clarity and a fairly thin, dense tan head. On the nose I get sour roasted malt, hops and a little smoke. In the mouth you can taste the smoke but it is well intertwined and subtle enhancing the flavors of the chocolate, coffee, licorice and roasted malt. Some hop bitterness too. I'd say this is still on the light side of medium bodied. Good carbonation but not felt in the mouth. Very smooth drinker. Long finish with hints of a bitter sweet smokiness. Very enjoyable and worth having again.

  Stone Smoked Porter, 5.90% ABV
  Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, CA
  
  This Smoked Porter from Stone Brewing Co. pours out dark chocolate brown with pretty good clarity and a fairly thin, dense tan head. On the nose I get sour roasted malt, hops and a little smoke. In the mouth you can taste the smoke but it is well intertwined and subtle enhancing the flavors of the chocolate, coffee, licorice and roasted malt. Some hop bitterness too. I'd say this is still on the light side of medium bodied. Good carbonation but not felt in the mouth. Very smooth drinker. Long finish with hints of a bitter sweet smokiness. Very enjoyable and worth having again.
• BEERDONKEY1

  

  Member
   

  January 4, 2009

  I recently tried both butte creek porter and Sierra nevada porter. Sierra Nevada has always been my favorite porter so I guess im kinda bias ( sidebar, I dont care for Sierra Nevada pale ale/ go figure). My wife liked the Butte creek better but shes not much of a porter drinker. I completely agree/concur with Oregon beer lover's findings on butte creek's porter. Okay but weak in comparison to others.

  I recently tried both butte creek porter and Sierra nevada porter. Sierra Nevada has always been my favorite porter so I guess im kinda bias ( sidebar, I dont care for Sierra Nevada pale ale/ go figure). My wife liked the Butte creek better but shes not much of a porter drinker. I completely agree/concur with Oregon beer lover's findings on butte creek's porter. Okay but weak in comparison to others.