Founders Porter - Founders Brewing Company

Brabander

Netherlands

4.5/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is an overall great beer! Got it in a trade with Rohkey. Thanks Chris! Poured this beer in my small Struise chalice. Pitchdark fluid with a very nive head. Good starter. The head disappears after a while leaving some nice lacing in the glass.

Smell is inviting but i can not detect much. Taste is with coffee. The alcohollevel is good on this one. Very good mouthfeel, not any carbonation but that is not important in a beer like this!

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 20:07:34 | More by Brabander

Bauzen

New York

4.18/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours black as night, but not thick as I thought it would be. Can't be a judge of the head because I poured it very gently.

Smells of coffee and smokey, earthy, hops. Hints of chocolate or mocha too.

Flavor profile follows the nose almost entirely. Super flavorful and potent despite what you'd expect from the lower ABV.

Tastes of toffee and chocolate remain on the palette remain following each sip, and this beer stays with you long after you're finished drinking it.

It's a solid porter, but it leaves me wanting a breakfast stout or a KBS.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 00:10:08 | More by Bauzen

Roman5150

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

bottle into tulip

appearance: solid black, tan 1 finger head, some lacing

smell: roasted malt, intense smokiness, some espresso/coffee aroma, dark chocolate, caramel, subtle vanilla

taste: dark chocolate, espresso, earthy hop bitterness on the tail end. For a Porter, this is pretty hoppy. This is very well balanced, smokiness and coffee flavors come out when it warms. Very, very smooth.

mouthfeel: full bodied and thick, lots of carbonation

overall: A very smoky, hoppy porter, this is another amazing brew from Founders. Did a blind test with Bells Porter and Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald, this one wasn't as smooth as the Edmund, but hands down better than Bells. If you like dark, hoppy beer, you will enjoy this, very drinkable and lots of flavor complexities.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 03:03:34 | More by Roman5150

Bosoxfan20

Oklahoma

4.26/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.25

A- Pitch black with a 1 finger head that hangs around for just a bit. Head is creamy and dark mocha in color. Delightful lacing.

S- Dry coffee bean, unsweetend chocolate, powdered cocoa, mocha, earthy hops and caramel.

T- Love the flavor of this porter. Totally follows nose. Pine hops come out from underneath the dry, roasted goodness. Woodsy, slight charcoal, rich.

M- A little let down by the feel. not horrible, but somewhat thin for the style imo. Mid body. Dry and fairly drinkable.

O- I love a great porter, and that's exactly what this one is. Not real sweet, but delightfully earthy. One of the best in the country. Would most certainly have another!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 21:25:16 | More by Bosoxfan20

jaycle

North Carolina

4.48/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured into snifter. 1/2 finger tan head which dissipated leaving behind lacing all around the glass. Deep black. No lights getting through this stuff

S: Sweet roasted grains and some fruitiness makes it through.

T: Tastes of chocolate and toasted malt. The 45 IBU's provide a great bittering finish to compliment the sweet malt.

M: medium to heavy bodied. A really fine micro-sized carbonation and a moderate amount for style.

O: I really really enjoyed this beer. My favorite porter currently. Well balanced with plenty of bittering and sweetness. I wish I had the words to describe the awesome, unfortunately my tasting vocabulary is limited.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 03:28:45 | More by jaycle

Bowers-Brew

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A - Darker than many stouts, nice chocolate brown color. Would like a little more foamy head.

S - Smells lovely. Smoky, earthy, chocolate with a faint hop aroma.

T - Not quite as good as Founders Breakfast Stout, but very very tasty.

M - Clean and smooth. Wanted a little thicker/creamier texture. Might just be my expectation/perception based on the really dark color...

O - Stouts and porters seem to be dominated by Founders. Great beer for a cold rainy day, or anytime you want to enjoy a good porter.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 22:18:28 | More by Bowers-Brew

barczar

Kentucky

4.2/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours an opaque deep brown/black with a frothy inge inch cappuccino head that lingers.

Roast malt, coffee, and milk chocolate meet up with citrus and resin in the initial aroma. Notes of grapefruit and pine provide am interesting contrast to the roast malt backbone.

Slightly sweet chocolate and roast malt underlie the flavor profile, with coffee bitterness reigning in the finish. Notes of grapefruit at the beginning again provide contrast to the sweet malt notes. Malted milk balls and toasted nut flavors add complexity. There's a charred note in the aftertaste.

Body is smooth and moderate, with low carbonation and a hint of alcohol warmth.

Great notes of chocolate, and a decent balance of roast malt and coffee that are not overly bitter or acrid. The hop notes accent the malt character well. The balance is on the sweet side, but that's fine with me.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 20:27:51 | More by barczar

roundthewaygirls

Virginia

4.26/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

poured into a tumbler

A: black. no head. insignificant lacing.

S: dark chocolate. roasted malts. a little smoke. vanilla.

T: roasted malts. coffee is really prevalent. bitter dark chocolate flavor is more subdued on the palate than in the nose. smoky yet slightly creamy. a flavor you really have to chew.

M: smooth and silky going down. mildly carbonated. medium bodied. the roasted malts leave a dry aftertaste.

O: a very drinkable porter. definitive of the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 03:59:30 | More by roundthewaygirls

Burkbom23

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Black. No light coming through even on edges of glasss. Darkest beer I have evaluated since joining this site. Dark brown head, not very thick. Lots of thin tight lacing that sticks in spots long after the sip. The main aroma I am getting is raw grains. Some breadiness also. Burnt toast on the pallette. Some dark chocolate. Smooth, clean finish. Silky medium mouthfeel. Kind of lighter than i would like for a porter. Gives you a warming feeling as you drink it. Very drinkable and smooth, session porter possibly?

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 23:57:42 | More by Burkbom23

neophilus

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Dark, with a mocha colored head. Great lacing leaves layers between sips. Scents of mildly spicy and acrid roasty grain. Rich slightly sweet malt aroma underneath.

Flavor brings good bitterness balanced between hops and roasted grain. Rich, complex dark grain bread taste envelops the palate. Silky smooth body with a kick from the bitterness. Hints of espresso and semi-sweet chocolate.

This brew brings the malt bomb heavy and hard but keeps it well in check with ample roasted grain that stops well short of overpowering the taste buds.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2013 01:03:55 | More by neophilus

Dope

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Can't read the date, pretty sure it says 2011 which is about right. Call it 2 years old.

A: Pours a nice dark brown with an enormous frothy light brown head. Head fades very slowly, leaving an island of foam behind. Heavy, fluffy walls of lacing left behind.

S: Lots of chocolate with some mild char and smoke. A bit creamy.

T: Smooth dark chocolate and smoke mixing together. Hints of char. Some creamy sweetness in the middle, leading into the finish.

M: Medium bodied, ultra smooth and creamy. Wonderful.

O: This is the benchmark of all porters, in my opinion. Even after two years this is still wonderful. Great chocolate notes, super creamy and smooth. One of the most drinkable beers around. Surprising strength and variety of flavors for such a low ABV brew too. Another great Founders brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 00:14:14 | More by Dope

thlayli87

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

A - Dark brown with a half-inch of dark tan head that quickly dissipates.

S - Chocolate malt, roasty notes, and a prominent underlying sweet aroma.

T - Roasted malt, coffee, pleasantly bitter finish. The sweetness present in the nose is not evident in the taste.

M - Full bodied, somewhat syrupy mouthfeel.

O - Very tasty porter, and a good example of the style. I'd gladly enjoy this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:17:30 | More by thlayli87

Joethebeerpro

Georgia

4.28/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pretty dark pour with little bit of khaki colored head. Smells of roasted coffee dominates, chocolate, cocoa. The coffee comes through a lot on the taste as well as some smoke and burn. Roastiness, little bit of sweet in the form of chocolate/cocoa. Some bitter on the tongue afterwards but not overly. Medium bodied, slick. Strong porter overall, need to try with a cigar. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 05:41:29 | More by Joethebeerpro

delta490

Virginia

4.7/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Pours a deep brown, almost black with almost no head. Aromas is coffee, caramel and notes of citrus. Taste is very strong coffee but is just perfect as it is. Maybe a little hint of chocolate. Very smooth with almost no carbonation. A great porter with great depth.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2013 16:15:04 | More by delta490

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

4.34/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, rich dark brown almost black with a short brown head that lingers leaving good lacing, clear

S: caramel, toffee, light roasted coffee, toast, malt

T: toasty malt, sweeter but not syrupy, big malt flavor with a slight hop bitterness towards the end

M: creamy with nice body

O: a really good beer that focuses on the flavor of toasted malt without having a burnt character

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 00:45:33 | More by M_C_Hampton

leokbelo

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Pours a deep black into a pint glass with an inch mocha head that lingers.
Deep chocolate, vanilla and coffee on the nose, some raisins too.
Smooth in the palate, with the chocolate/coffee notes coming in after the subtle hop kick.
Very balanced, very drinkable beer.
Excellent porter, highly recommended. Great session brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 12:14:33 | More by leokbelo

Stevedore

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Based on notes from previous consumption of 3x 12oz bottles over a span of 2 weeks in February 2013. All were poured chilled into a Bell's snifter.

Aroma: Smoky malt, mocha, dark chocolate malt and some sort of underlying sweetness that I can't put my finger on. It could be caramel, molasses or black licorice, but really smells like none of the above- perhaps its a combination of them all. The nose itself is somewhat pungent and is predominantly the smoky chocolate malt flavours. (4)

Colour: Pours a very dark cola brown, with a 2cm beige head that sticks around for a while. I usually hate waiting for a head to recede but it is a thing of beauty. When it dissipates, it does so into a thick beige collar and a thin brown film on the surface of the beer. The lacing is solid but nothing to write home about. (4)

Flavour: Definitely get a smokiness up front that colours the roast chocolate maltiness that follows. It finishes with a good bit of sweet spiciness- the same flavour I couldn't put a finger on in the aroma- I'm starting to think it was probably the hops and will have to consider this some more. Very pleasant smoky porter with a strong malt backbone makes for a good drinking experience. (4)

Mouthfeel: One of the thicker porters I've had the opportunity to try. A bit creamy and a bit dry but still thirst-quenching and drinkable. The body is thicker medium with decent carbonation. Aftertaste is roast chocolate maltiness tempered by the hops, again the flavours of which I can't put my finger on, but is quite pleasant. (4)

Overall: There are a lot of smells that suggests its complex, but they seem to blend together such that my overworked palate can't pick them out individually. Its a robust, full-flavoured porter that doesn't disappoint in any one department, but it doesn't amaze me in any one department either. Definitely a well-above average porter, but I prefer Black Butte and Eddy Fitz to this as a shelf porter. Definitely worth trying and a potential fridge staple should you prefer this to some of the other shelf porters out there. (4)

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 16:36:38 | More by Stevedore

brewcifix

Connecticut

4.19/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: I poured this from a bottle into a proper Porter tulip glass. It pours black, with a beautiful tan head. There's decent lacing.

Smell: The nose boasts caramel, sweet bread, and cereal, roasted coffee and malts. It’s a very pleasant aroma that, unfortunately, fades soon after the pour.

Taste: I taste roasted coffee, bitter chocolate, and a little smoke. This porter finshes nicely with grassy espresso hops and the faint memory of bakers cocoa (and maybe a little raisin?).

Mouthfeel: I don’t get the Brewer’s claim of a "silky" mouth feel. This beer is somewhat watery (medium to light tongue weight), with moderate carbonation affecting the back of my tongue.

Overall: This is a very nice porter with very drinkable appeal. I just wish the bouquet held out a litttle longer. Other than that, it's very tasty with rich flavor. I'd love to find this stuff on tap somewhere to REALLY get the full experience! This certainly is a "dark, rich, & sexy" porter that I wouldn't kick out of bed! Founders does it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 21:51:53 | More by brewcifix

suspect

New York

4.54/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Dogfish Head Snifter glass.

A: Deep dark brown as expected. Aggressive pour leads to a half-finger light brown colored head. Lacing is consistent and plentiful.

S: Good cocoa, chocolate malts, blackberry, molasses and a touch of coffee.

T: Follows the nose with the chocolate up front. The toasted malts take a back seat and avoid the bitterness that may come along.

M: Perfectly carbonated, creamy, smooth finish.

O: Perfect porter, really. Excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 03:43:04 | More by suspect

dar482

New York

4.43/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

This porter comes in a pitch black color with a small brown head with slight lacing.

The aroma isn’t heavy with roasted malt, with a hint of chocolate and vanilla.

The flavor is of roasted malt, espresso, and bitter chocolate. The hops kick to is really makes this porter interesting.

The finish has a charred flavor along with a creamy medium mouthfeel. There is a hop touch finish. The hoppiness is what makes this porter interesting and the bitter finish. It’s extremely drinkable.

One of the most interesting and best porters I’ve had. I do prefer more coffee and bigger flavors, but this is so different that I do like it.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 06:07:24 | More by dar482

Dave_in_GR

Michigan

4.61/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance is a very dark brown with a tiny bit of tan colored head.

Smell is dominated by chocolate, maybe a bit of roasted coffee in there as well.

Taste is bold, some chocolate and coffee flavor but also more bitterness than I'm used to in a beer like this. It all works well together, really tasty.

Mouthfeel is very thick; this is a heavy bodied beer but with a bit of carbonation that lightens it up. Not an easy drinking beer or anything, but easier than you would expect.

This bottle has been in my fridge for over a month as I polished off my stash of breakfast stout, really wish I had gotten to this sooner!

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 23:30:41 | More by Dave_in_GR

NiceTaps

New Jersey

4.39/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A- Dark chocolate brown color, nearly black. Dark and dense, with a malty-mocha head that leaves big brown lacing.

S- Chocolate, coffe, dark roasty malts, and some alcohol.

T- Good dark chocolate bitterness, coffee, roasted malts.

M-Rich feel, fuller than many porters. Very good carbonation and the alcohol takes a back seat after it passes the nose.

O- It's flavor forward and tuned-up just enough so it doesn't come on too strong. A good 'un.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 20:59:01 | More by NiceTaps

punky796

Michigan

5/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On-tap at Bar Louie.

A - Pours dark-dark-brown, almost black, like Guinness. About a finger of thick cream-colored head, but dissipates after a short time. Moderate lacing.

S - Coffee, chocolate, caramel malts. A touch of alcohol, even. All very roasty/toasty.

T - All the same as the smells, and additionally a healthy amount of bitterness, in a good way. Excellent.

M - Smooth, creamy, medium-low carbonation. Almost warms you up as you drink it. Great body. Easy to take another healthy-sized slug right after.

O - You're not supposed to give many fives, but it's happening here...it almost feels like there should be more to say. This is as close to perfect as I can imagine. The best beer I've had to date.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2013 09:08:15 | More by punky796

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Single bottle from a Founders mix pack I made myself on a recent trip to Buffalo. Poured into a Founders glass.

Pours a near black hue, with a bit of chestnut. A half inch of large bubbled head dissolves speedily into a fine ring. Not the best looking brew I have to say, but fortunately that doesn't matter too much here.

Nose is nice roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, caramel, good bitterness.

A very nice porter, with loads of flavor. Coffee, chocolate and a firm, assertive bitterness - whether from the coffee or the hops, I can't tell, but there's a mild citric bite in there as well. Creamy, with a lingering bitter finish. Great stuff.

Mouthfeel is just on the edge, almost a bit too carbonated for my tastes, but it hangs in there. Decent thickness, but well within the porter range. Warming alcohol on the tongue.

A get up, stand up kind of porter. Highly drinkable for those days when a beastly imperial coffee stout is just too much to handle. This one is just the ticket.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 02:35:03 | More by JohnnyBarman

JuliusCaesar

New Hampshire

4.3/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Black, little to no head

S: Dark chocolate and coffee with a hint of booze

T: Bitter dark chocolate and dark roast coffee. Nice bitter finish evens every thing out. No alcohol

M: Smooth and light

Overall: A great Porter. Not as aggressive as Smutty's Robust but better than others I've had. A very enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 00:43:28 | More by JuliusCaesar