Founders Porter - Founders Brewing Company

CFHMagnet

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured this one into a pint glass for a half finger of mocha colored head. This broke up rather quickly and left not much more than a ring on top of a dark cola-colored body. Lace clings then slowly descends the side of the glass.

This smells deliciously of roasty malts, dark chocolate and a kiss of coffee.

Roasted malt and a hint of dark fruit starts off the flavor. Coffee and a taste of earthy hops seem to take over, and then the finish is all chocolate and malt.

The mouthfeel on this is a solid medium body. I honestly think the carbonation is a little too biting. It nips at the tongue quite a bit on this one. Lightly coats the tongue, slightly dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 14:04:11 | More by CFHMagnet

IchLiebeBier

Virginia

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

Appearance: Very dark chestnut, almost black; small tan head dissipates quickly with little lacing

Aroma: Bitter roasted grains; earthy hops; coffee

Taste: Bitter roasted grains up front; creamy mouthfeel in the mid with good malt character and dried figs; ends with a smooth, bitter finish and dry aftertaste

Remarks: Did not score A, T, S, M at that time; disregard those scores

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 13:17:54 | More by IchLiebeBier

LI_PO12

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Bottle into pint glass

Appearance- Black, no light coming through, 1 finger tanish head

Aroma- toasty malt, coffee, some chocolate, slight roast, some caramel sweetness, a bit of herbal hop punch

Flavor-some coffee, toasted malt, a little chocolate, caramel, nice bitterness but in balance, some pine in there as well

Mouthfeel- Medium, medium carbonation, a little creamy

Overall- Pretty much my go to American porter. There are probably slightly better ones out there but so far its the best one I've had. Great take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 02:36:44 | More by LI_PO12

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

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

Poured on-tap and served in a chalice, the beer is a dark brown to black coloring with a tall, frothy, dense, tan head that isn't going anywhere. Aromas of dry roast coffee, chocolate, and a touch of smoke. Slightly earthy, too. Flavors are dry and roasty, with a chocolate-mocha blending, and a creamy chocolate blend at the end of the palate. Dry and slightly creamy in mouth, with a dry, clean finish. Very solid porter.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2013 00:44:29 | More by GarthDanielson

UltramagnusX

Rhode Island

4.9/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

First off, I am not a fan of Porters. I tried this in a sampling at a local brewery supply house where we were having a beer tasting. The aroma just carried into my skull, intoxicating my senses. As I took my sip, I dreaded it, but suddenly, a burst of creamy goodness splashed against my pallet. I look back up at the bottle and first scan the label... Porter?! Then I read a little higher... Oh, its Founders... obviously!

So, ya, this was a great experience.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2013 23:23:29 | More by UltramagnusX

thegodfather1076

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Presentation: Bottle and label and simple and classy with a very elegant old school feel. Label gives web info, brewery info, and states “Rich, Dark, and Sexy”. Neck label has Founders logo as well as IBU and ABV info.

Appearance: After a 10min warming I aggressively poured this from its 12oz bottle into a 16oz snifter. Pours out a dark cola brown with lots of bubbles and a 1½ finger brown rocky foam head of medium density. Head retention was 2min 33sec before fading to a thick coating and ring. Excellent lacing.

Smell/Aroma: Smells of roast coffee malts along with hints of dark chocolate, caramel, and slight hints of dark fruits and hops.

Flavor/Taste: Tastes of dark chocolate and caramel sweetness on the front-end with a slight hop bitterness coming through at the midpoint before being quickly over powered by the dark deep roast coffee bitterness.

MouthFeel/Drinkability: Medium bodied with an above average amount of carbonation that goes down smooth. Very drinkable.

Overall/Comments: I was very impressed with this porter and think it is a fine example of the style that boasts a very nice nose and excellent flavor profile. While I wouldn't put this in the Edmund Fitzgerald class, it is just a notch below. Classified as an American Porter @ 6.5% ABV. Consumed 5/16/2013.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 19:37:45 | More by thegodfather1076

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

4.09/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 355ml bottle with no visible BB date. Purchased ages ago from a webshop and stored in my garage. If it's anything like the other Founders beers I bought from the same place then it was bottled a while back - hope it hasn't suffered too much.

Poured into a Delirium chalice. Bottle conditioned. A very dark brown that appears as an unpenetrable blackness in the glass. Produces a vast head of creamy light-brown foam with superb retention; it endures for ages before slowly reducing to a thick surface layer. Aroma of roasted malt with hints of earthy yeast, mild coffee, chocolate, dried fruit, faint molasses and a touch of caramel. Slightly sweet, with a twinge of cardboard in the background.

Tastes of dark, roasted malt with a dry finish. Notes of chocolate, mild coffee, subtle burnt grain, dried fruit, molasses, earthy yeast, faint stewed leaves and a touch of smokiness. Slightly sweet, with a restrained bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth, dry and tingly, with a thick velvety body and light carbonation. Somewhat astringent, with an aftertaste of bitter roasted malt, fruitiness and earthy yeast.

A rich porter with an exceptional depth of character. It looks fantastic. The aroma is decent but not as defined as it could be - the yeast is rather dominant. The flavour is excellent; plenty of roasted malt notes with a mild fruitiness to round it out. Body is also good - thick and smooth. Overall, a quality brew from Founders. I suspect this bottle is a little past it and I hope to try a fresher example sometime, however it still puts on a good show. Well worth sampling if you have the chance.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 00:08:50 | More by jazzyjeff13

flyingpig

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.29/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

355ml Bottle from Good Spirits Co, Glasgow (£2.60):
Opaque mahogany colour, almost black. Has a thin, medium brown head with red tinges about 0.5cm tall and holds great with some lacing too.

Light coffee with some roasted malts, hints of chocolate and a nice earthy aroma that is light but noticeable. The aroma is a rich some with some sweet caramel touches with some light bitterness.

Sweet malts with some roasted one on top and a good helping of chocolate. The beer is lighter than I was expecting and quite rich too with a tiny but of spice right at the end.

Medium, very smooth, some rich and sweet flavours. The balance of the beer is pretty much perfect and the beer is clean with a dry, sweet finish.

Brilliant beer that is not as dark or heavy as I was expecting but it managed to have a great balance between the sweet malts and the darker, roasted malts that follow. A very easy beer to drink and one that goes far too fast.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 07:46:06 | More by flyingpig

incucrash

Virginia

4.8/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Dark, Rich, and Sexy, yes it is!

While I am still new to the characteristics of beer, I will try my best.

Nice dark color, and comes to a good head.

Tastes amazing, creamy and sweet with hints of coffee and cocoa

Texture is a little thin but the flavor makes up for any shortfalls in this beer.

This beer is amazing, and I have yet to find another Porter that is equal!

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 01:34:29 | More by incucrash

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

Missouri

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