Gorilla Warfare Coffee Porter - Sixpoint Brewery

Lordjabba

New York

4.43/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tasty new marriage of Gorilla coffee from Park slope in Brooklyn and a smooth dark porter from the boys in Red hook.

The pour from the growler is a rich black oil that slowly forms a one inch brown head at the top of the glass.

The aroma reminds me of a cold winter morning waking to the smell of a fresh ground roast of delicious Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. MMM

I first had this at Barcade in Brooklyn and saw it on tap at BierKraft and had to get it. The taste is so creamy and fine, as the 7.8% abv is well hidden. The aftertaste lingers ever so slightly until you reach for the next sip.

I'm not a huge porter fan as I love the hop-bombs, but I really can't find anything wrong with this beer. I hope they make this a regular winter treat for us lucky ones in the tri-state area. Good job Sixpoint, your 19 rank on BA's American Brewery list is well deserved.

Serving type: growler

12-31-2007 00:44:16 | More by Lordjabba

grandq

New York

4.78/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Reviewing this from memory from last night - on tap at the Waterfront Ale House. Sixpoint beer meets Gorilla coffee for a Brooklyn power team. This greets the nose with a morning cup of joe, maybe a bit of chocolate swizzled in as a sweetener. I'm willing to hazard a guess that the beans in question are Yirgacheffe, as that's what I drink from Gorilla on a daily basis. The taste matches, nice and earthy with a bit of spicyness, cooling into a creamy, malty finish without much bitterness. Being a smoked porter, the hop profile is pretty low key, but it seems like they slip in a bit after the initial coffee taste to emphasize the character of the beans. I'm surprised to read that this is nearly 8% - its really deceptively quaffable and could be a dangerous session favorite for as long as its available on local taps. I only fault this for the mouthfeel, which I found a little bit thin, though I may be biased by a recent stout kick.

While I'm not willing to throw all fives at this brew, I just got back from California where I tried Speedway Stout and I actually preferred Sixpoint's porter. Don't get me wrong, the Speedway is a killer stout, one of the smoothest things I've ever poured down my gullet, but I think the quality of the coffee and maybe the choice of bean origin puts Sixpoint/Gorilla over the edge. The Alesmith finished like the bottom of a french press - way too espresso-y. I'd be really interested in a side by side taste test of Ryan Bros. and Gorilla coffee to see if that's the case. Anyone in San Diego care to hook me up?

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2007 19:07:15 | More by grandq

sleazo

New York

4.97/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A_big soapy coffee coloured head. Dark brown slightly opague liquid

S_roasted coffee permeates the nose. Smells like a shot of espresso

T_dark espresson bakers chocolate and a nice roasted malt bitterness. Hops play their way in here with a vague herbalness. A slight winey vinuousness is evident from the type of beans used.

M_smooth as can be

D_wow. So smooth and drinkable, this is an outstanding coffee porter. the alcohol is WELL hidden here and this is a dangerous creeper. I could drink this all the time if available. One of the best porters I have had to date. The use of the Ethiopian Yerbecheffe coffee beans really shines through.

Serving type: cask

12-07-2007 20:27:55 | More by sleazo

HimerMan

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On Cask at the Blind Tiger Ale House, started on 12/6/07 - as part of their VSK night.

Served at a nice temperature in a thick glass mug.

Immediate smells of HUGE coffee, and a very dark brown/black liquid, minimal head.

Wonderful coffee and very subtle chocolate notes notes that really carry this beer, it was like a very light stout - but a porter. It did feel a bit thin in the aftertaste, but this may have been due to its big upfront coffee flavor, and lack of any harsh bittering hops (which I am happy about).

Overall, this beer is excellent, and I would suggest heading out to try it while you still can.

Cheers.

Serving type: cask

12-07-2007 12:43:34 | More by HimerMan