Carnegie Porter 5,5% - Carlsberg Sverige AB

Jason

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: Short 8.82 oz brown bottle with the vintage date of 1998 on the label.

Appearance: Thin lace though it has neatly textured tiny bubbles that crop up every time you take a sip. Close to jet black, only holding it up to the light will it produce some ruby hues.

Smell: Big sugary molasses aroma with a figgy back, dark caramel all over though chocolaty enough to give off a suggestion of brownies. Faint acidity in the nose also.

Taste: Smooth low level of carbonation with a slick mouth feel and solid full to medium body. Roasted flavours are intense but simple with a bite of charcoal and sweetness around all. Flavours of mild espresso, molasses and dark chocolate engulf the taste buds. Vague signs of age show with a touch of wet paper, this seems to add more good than harm and enhances the rich roasted flavours. From the charcoal flavours are trace woody and vanilla notes as well as a deep earthiness. Vague and lost acidic twang barely makes a dent in the threshold of flavour. Fruitiness is hidden for the most part but glimpses of burnt raisins and prune come to mind. Stays sweet even through the finish and there the alcohol is fairly noticed.

Notes: After four years it has held up very well with little signs of damage. Oxidation is minimal and the acidic twang is far out of reach to be a nuance. Makes you wonder what another year or more will bring to this brew.
--
1997: Nearly jet black with a very thin bubbly lace that keeps on coming back after each sip. Smell of dark bread similar to pumpernickel, good amount of sweetness in the nose to soften the roasted aroma. Mild charcoal with woody and bready flavours that want to come in at the same time, very low carbonation that lets the creaminess flow first then a quick yet small smoothness rolls in. Vague acidic twang that is very passive, malt flavours pass back and forth between roasted and bready. Hops are but a dream and seem to be the most faded trait this brew has, thankfully the roasted grain picks up a little of the slack. Hard to tell this brew is on it fifth year, malt is still very fresh on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2002 19:56:39 | More by Jason

Todd

Massachusetts

4.95/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Presentation: 8.82fl.oz. cute little brown bottle. "årgång 1997" states that it's their '97 vintage. "stark" is strong.

Appearance: Deep, dark brown/ruby red. Head pours weak at first with large bubbles, then it creates a 1/4" cream lace under the same. It dissipates to a patchy, creamy off-white lace. A gentle swirl will induce a more creamy head.

Smell: One of the best aromas that I have ever come across. Big malt aromas of dark fruits and sweet raw malts, touch of caramel malt, black liquorice, oak and vanilla. Esters and oxidation are noted. Very rich and complex nose.

Taste: Sweet malt profile of caramel (faint diacetyl/butter flavours), grape-like flavours, light molasses and chocolate. No real "roasted" type flavours, which makes it a very traditional Porter, however you can just pick up a faint smoked malt flavour. Body is medium to full, mouthfeel is a bit chewy and luscious. Towards the end you can taste some oxidation and cherry/oak notes, a by-product of its age. Finishes slighty dry and bready, with notes of grain husk and chocolate residuals.

Notes: This vintage has probably reached its peak, though I'd be interested in tasting it again in a few years. It's an amazing example of the style and ripe for the tasting. I implore everyone to try this magnificent Swedish beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2001 09:48:26 | More by Todd

kvnstfrd

Missouri

5/5  rDev +20.8%

05-23-2013 13:20:57 | More by kvnstfrd

BeerZack

North Carolina

4.14/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Dark brown with ruby highlights and generous foamy tan head that crowns the beer. Very subtle nose, nothings jumping right out. Hints of caramel, roast and chocolate, with even a bit of alcohol as it warms, but its all very much in balance. Mild coffee and hint of Burgundy wine, even a bit tannic mouthfeel, but only serves to balance the malt sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 00:30:02 | More by BeerZack

apanloco

Sweden

4/5  rDev -3.4%

05-17-2013 18:28:52 | More by apanloco

SaisonRichBiere

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-12-2013 20:20:45 | More by SaisonRichBiere

Peyton5410

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +20.8%

05-03-2013 01:53:35 | More by Peyton5410

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -3.4%

04-26-2013 23:25:18 | More by Dreadnaught33

zenithberwyn

California

4/5  rDev -3.4%

04-20-2013 04:58:04 | More by zenithberwyn

BlitzShadow

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +14.7%

04-13-2013 20:57:48 | More by BlitzShadow

ThomasAWilson2

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%

04-13-2013 20:14:36 | More by ThomasAWilson2

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.16/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

was fortunate enough to find a 2000 vintage bottle of this for just 13 bucks. the label reads best before November 2010, but im thinking its not past its prime at all. it pours a surprisingly lively darkest of browns, without any light at all able to pass through. the head is made up of micro bubbles of a lighter brown color. the head doesn't last, but its easily reinvigorated with a swirl of my globe. the nose on this is heavy chocolate, burnt malt, ash, and a gentle toffee tickle. it has an aged mellowness to it, very earthy and organic, with roasted barley and cocoa powder dominating up front. the finish is like all the best features of dusty leather, my grandpas attic, mature compost, and smoked pork. its just so complex and delicious. there is a funny astringent bitterness towards the finish and the alcohol stands out more than it should in a beer so low in abv, but other than that its phenomenal. the mouthfeel makes it for me, so gentle on the carbonation, and curiously dry for the style. I love the cocoa powder flavor, it transforms into a cocoa powder feel of sorts, really cool. age has definitely done wonders for this beer, and while ive never had a fresh one, I can assure you that this is one special porter. perhaps also my first beer from Sweden. memorable.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 19:04:00 | More by StonedTrippin

shigg85

Japan

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%

04-06-2013 00:16:52 | More by shigg85

jsteele

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%

03-31-2013 19:37:31 | More by jsteele

nosavingsaccount

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.4%

03-25-2013 02:50:40 | More by nosavingsaccount

BGsWo22

New York

3.25/5  rDev -21.5%

03-21-2013 00:38:58 | More by BGsWo22

Ethanol4one

New York

4.9/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Very dark, with an average head, this beer sneaks up on you like base jumping Airborne Ranger delivering flowers that you forgot for your best girl as you walk up to her doorstep, with its mildly sweet, malty and perfectly balanced slight hopped aroma, and a just short of moderately thick mouth feel, like that of a stout. In fact, I'd bet a case that most people would identify it as a stout, if they were not told it's labeled a porter.

My first reaction right down to the last drop was that "this beer is perfect", so there's that. Although, the second one tasted more sweet to me, after pairings with some of the excellent olives Beer Table serves.

I had it at Beer Table, on tap in Brooklyn, where they really care about teh suds.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2013 18:50:52 | More by Ethanol4one

zonker17

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%

03-18-2013 00:58:58 | More by zonker17

duceswild

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -15.5%

03-17-2013 18:11:49 | More by duceswild

b2hogan

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%

03-17-2013 02:36:50 | More by b2hogan

leedorham

Washington

3.25/5  rDev -21.5%

03-16-2013 23:54:56 | More by leedorham

djrn2

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -15.5%

03-16-2013 18:30:02 | More by djrn2

acurtis

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -15.5%

03-16-2013 18:29:23 | More by acurtis

marlinsfan4

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -15.5%

03-15-2013 03:53:59 | More by marlinsfan4

AngusOg

Maryland

4/5  rDev -3.4%

03-12-2013 22:38:21 | More by AngusOg