Founders Porter - Founders Brewing Company

JizackFH

New York

4.22/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Sunswick 35/35 on 2/27/11.

Review taken from notes.

A - This beer pours a very dark brown color. It has a 1-finger light tan head on it. The head leaves some nice lacing on the glass.

S - It smells roasty and sweet. There are also notes of vanilla, coffee, caramel, and molasses. It also smells a bit grainy.

T - It tastes of dark roasty malt up front. There are notes of vanilla, caramel, molasses, and dark fruit. There a nice roasty bitterness here as well, that lingers a bit in the finish.

M - The body is on the lighter side of medium, and it has average carbonation. This beer goes down easy, and there is a slightly lingering bitterness in the finish.

D - The drinkability is good. It has great flavor and quite easy to drink. This is another solid beer from founders. I recommend trying this one. Cheers.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2011 07:22:47 | More by JizackFH

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

3.83/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

An interesting beer from Founders. I've never been so up an down in categories on any beer before!

The pour is great, super lacing and a black hue with flashes of brown on the sides, the head is a khaki color. Beautiful.

Smell is not so beautiful since I barely even get any aroma off this tapped beer at all. Roasted nuts, flutters of yeast...roasted malt and some chocolate maybe, just a very disappointing aroma from a super solid brewery.

Taste is a huge improvement in the smell. A Big fudgy beer with charred malt, hop bitters, and an overall trail mix like taste that all compliment each other.

Mouth is a little over carbonated for me and medium in feel. A mostly solid beer, I'm just surprised Founders would produce a beer with such a weak aroma and not awesome feel.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2011 00:24:42 | More by Dreadnaught33

ChugginOil

Illinois

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

A- Pitch black in color with a fluffy head that leaves lacing as it dissipates.

S- Chocolate offerings right up front with coffee as well

T- Similar to the scent. Very robust and roasty. Sweet chocolate with a bitter cocoa backbone. Very pleasant.

M- Full mothfeel that covers the palate

D- Smooth and fulfiling. Ill drink it all day

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2011 02:58:51 | More by ChugginOil

jrallen34

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Haymarket into a 4oz tasting glass, first beer of the night, a good one for sure...Dark pour for porter, a nice black color with a really nice dark tan head that has good retention and lacing...The aroma is unique, lots of coffee but with a bite of hops, nuts and chocolate come through as well, slightly acetone note. I like this...The taste matches the aroma a coffee porter with some hops, yummy and balanced, and drinkable. This is a winner.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2011 01:11:45 | More by jrallen34

nkersten

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from tap into pint glass. Liquid is brownish black with a thin tan head, no retention or lacing. Smells of roasted caramel, very traditional porter, some slightly floral and spicy hops. Taste is a perfect balance of spicy hops and roasted malts with a bit of caramel sweetness. Finish has a bit of a smokey flavor. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and medium carbonation. This is a very drinkable beer, as I think most porters should be. This is a bit heavier in body then most traditional porters I have had, but overall an excellent example of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2010 06:03:50 | More by nkersten

Spider889

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Winking Lizard.

This is a beer I see in nearly every store that carries Founders and recently at several bars. I finally gave it a shot last night.

Nice black color, dark brown around the edges. A dark khaki colored head of maybe a half inch or less. The head didn't last and I was left with no lacing.

Smelled pretty darn good. Lots of roasted coffee and charred toast in the nose. Really faint sweetness hidden beneath all of the malty goodness.

The taste is robust with lots of heavy chocolate malt flavor. Again, I was getting some roasted coffee notes which paired well with a mild hop bitterness present in the beer.

Fairly thin bodied, what would be expected out of a porter. Super carbonated, enough that I was wishing it were toned down some.

Really drinkable. You don't notice the alcohol and it's flavorful enough to keep you coming back.

Overall nothing amazing, but a really solid porter nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2010 15:00:26 | More by Spider889

scottbrew4u

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Served up black in color with a hint of light coming through and a thick frothy tan head that wanted to stick around a while.

S: Lots of roasted and burnt malt up front with some coffee ans peat smoke. Molasses and brown bread in the nose too with a bit of herbal and spicy hops. Not much though for the hops. Finish is a bit ashy in the nose.

T: Clean and roasty all the way with a good deal of burnt and smoky malt. Dark coffee and an earthy spicy hop not are the bittering flavors. Mostly chewy and bready malt goodness.

M: Pretty full body for a Porter with some chewiness to it and a crisp yet smooth carbonation.

D: Heavy for a Porter which is how I like it and it had some great balance to it making it easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2010 03:37:26 | More by scottbrew4u

Natural510

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Peach's in Yellow Springs, OH

Color is a dense, pitch-black with white head & lacing. Looks frightening enough for Halloween.
Scent is mostly coffee bean and some raw cocoa with a sweet edge.
Initial flavor is a mild coffee/cocoa combination which leads into heavier flavor of fennel & black licorice. As it warms the coffee & dark chocolate notes come further to the forefront. Sweet roasted malt with enough of a hop bite to balance it out.
Very full, thick body. Heavier than many stouts, let alone porters.
Delicious, but not something I would consume in quantity. Nice choice for a cool autumn or snappy winter day.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2010 20:52:58 | More by Natural510

jpro

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at Duckworth's in Charlotte...

A: Served in a standard shaker pint, this one was pretty dark / close to black, with a light brown, rocky head; the head kind of reminded me of chocolate chip cookie dough (without the chocolate chips); lots of sticky, mocha lace coats the glass on this one.

S: First and foremost... coffee... lots of it; robust, roasted malts; chocolate / baker's cocoa; some nuttiness; this beer smells delicious!

T: Again, coffee - characterized by a full-flavored, rounded roastiness - rich; cocoa; a light hop bitterness on the finish that's just enough to provide balance.

M: Medium bodied, creamy and very smooth.

D: Very drinkable and quite enjoyable; a good cool / cold weather brew.

Serving type: on-tap

10-08-2010 17:42:03 | More by jpro

DoubleSimcoe

New York

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

Founders Porter on tap at Brews Cafe in Granville, Ohio.

Appearance: Solid black like the midnight dark out here in Central Ohio. Barely any head. Nice lacing! Looks like an Imperial Stout.

Smell: Coffee, faint chicory. Some hops.

Taste: White liquor, like gin or vodka. Some sweetness. Bitterness all around, hops.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, satisfying. Close-to-perfect carbonation.

Drinkability: Low for a porter, but great if it were an Imperial Porter or Imperial Stout! Sip it, but don't miss it!

Incredibly delicious, my review does not appropriately convey how good this beer is.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2010 05:09:08 | More by DoubleSimcoe

mdfb79

New York

4.18/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Fire Works in Arlington, VA tonight.

a - Pours a dark brown color with an inch of tan head and light carbonation evident.

s - Smells of strong roasted malts, smokey, chocolate, and vanilla.

t - Tastes of light chocolate, vanilla, roasted malts, coffee, toasted malts, and smokey.

m - Medium to full body and light to medium carbonation. Pretty easy to drink.

d - A very good smokey, roasted porter that at 6% you can def have a few of. Will definitely have again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2010 01:01:41 | More by mdfb79

jagoffyinzer

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark hard to tell its exact.color in the light. A very tan head fades to a nice layer. Tremendous tan lacing coats the glass on the way down. The smell is malty with a nice roast that stands behind it. Great chocolate notes in there at the end that work well. Tasting at first there is a smooth cocoa flavor finishes roasty and warm. Malt shines through ever flavor. This is smooth and creamy but not too heavy. Pretty drinkable. Founders never disappoints.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2010 00:58:08 | More by jagoffyinzer

CooperEllis

New York

4.65/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

First review, figured I'd start with something I like generally (porter) but a brewery I had never had before.

The color is near perfect, in the pour and head. The growlers from Bierkraft are counter pressure filled; the head on the first pour was three quarters of an inch and coated the sides of the glass nicely as it settled.

Initially, it smelled like when you open a fresh tin of nesquick or hershey's (the powder kind) and there's that dry smell of slightly bitter chocolate dust. It did not hold a distinctive aroma with drinking, but disappeared or faded into the background of the taste.

The tast is very good, I mean, it taste's how I expected (or hoped!) it would taste. I did thinks it was a little one-demensional.

This porter is slightly watery in mouthfee, but with a little attention to 'chewing' the flavors released nicely. While I'm loathe to say 'it tasted like chocolate' the aftertaste is distinctly that sourtaste that I always associate with a very high quality piece of dark chocolate. I have to imagine pairing this with a nice chipotle chocolate treat would be amazing for a dessert but I have to say this was light enough for a porter that I could see pouring four or five over the course of an afternoon bbq and enjoying each.

***

I poured a second glass of this and let it sit for a while, the rise in temperature completely changed the mouth feel and flavor. This beer became more complex in flavor, with a creamy texture.

Serving type: growler

07-17-2010 18:51:32 | More by CooperEllis

Billolick

New York

4.22/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler our from DeCicco's in Ardsley, NY. Pours dark, dark mahogany with dark ruby highlights. The head is puny, and fairly short lived, going to a loose and bubbly thicker collar, very dark tan. :eaves fine and widely scattered fields of lacing. Dark chocolate infuses the nose, dusty and slightly chalky. Densely flavorful and aggressively styled porter. Plenty of dark chocolate, figs and other ripe dark fruits, woody/whiskey/smokey chords are also lightly hit. Big and brawn, full flavor porter, good stuff.

Serving type: growler

07-08-2010 02:22:44 | More by Billolick

philosobeer

Illinois

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

If you want a heavier porter, this one is well worth a try. A little heavy, but it is a very tasty beer.

A: One very dark brown pint that on first glance I was tempted to call black. The head is a good medium-creamy foam. Settling as you drink it, those who compared it to the crema of an espresso were quite right. It's an ornament of heavy brown cream which really does draw an appropriate and favorable comparison to coffee. The half point it lost was for being dark enough to make me wonder if I ordered the stout.

S: Roasted barley is very evident here, as are the chocolate malts. One good swirl and sniff brought alcohol, chocolate, coffee, and grilled foods to mind. At the smell, you know it's a beer and get a whiff of its strength. The chocolate coffee compels a sip.

T: The first taste is sweet and malty with english hops just drying out the head. This tastes rich enough to be satisfying and just dry enough to not be overwhelming. I think the alcohol, and highly kilned and roasted grain brought up the end.

M: This was heavy for a porter even, something that I've noticed with Founder's other beers. Here that feels a bit better than it did in many of their others and I'll accept it. Its effervescence is present, not overwhelming and really what it should be.

D: The heaviness and alcohol feel detract here, but not by enough to make me turn on it. It's heavy, yes, it's got noticeable alcohol, yes -- it is not too much to keep you from considering a second. A third is really pushing it, but of mostly from its heaviness. This goes well with fish.

This is at one of the local favorite bars in Chicago's pilsen neighborhood. And now that two of my favorites are gone, when I am looking for a good darker beer there, this is one I assure you I will order again. Not elevated to my favorite porter by any means, but probably my favorite Founder's.

Cheers.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2010 00:24:33 | More by philosobeer

Avagadro

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A: this porter is black and opaque. The pour didn't really engender a head, but a thin mocha colored film tops this black beauty.

S: bouquet is a tad faint, but suggests that this will be chocolatey porter.

T: semi-sweet and super rich, Founders Porter boasts molasses, chocolate, and caramel. This is one of the best porters I've had to date.

M: thick and creamy, the mouthfeel holds up to the indulgent theme set by the flavor.

D: I don't know if I like this or the oatmeal stout better. They are both delicious in there own way. My only conclusion is that both must be ordered. This is definitely worth a shot, as it has all of my favorite attributes of a good RIS.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2010 22:50:25 | More by Avagadro

TCgoalie

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Notes from Founders on 5/9/10.

The pour is a beautiful two fingers of brown head. Pitch black in color with excellent lacing. This is what a porter should look like!

The scent is that of roasted toffee, coffee, and some chocolate malts.

Taste: Rich chocolate malts blend with roasty bitter nuts. There is a nice bitterness at the end which is well placed. I would prefer a little more in the middle of the taste, but overall it is solid.

The mouthfeel is medium to slightly full. There is also a nice smooth, creamy character.

This is as drinkable as a porter should be. A solid standard Porter with looks to brag about.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2010 03:41:53 | More by TCgoalie

homebrew311

Illinois

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

A: pours an opaque black with a very dark brown head that looks like hot cocoa, decent head retention and lots of lacing

S: huge roasted malt profile with an intense dark chocolate presence, extremely robust

T: like the nose, this porter is all about the roasted specialty grains, tons of chocolate malts and coffee, a touch of earthy hops on the finish, very nicely balanced and incredibly flavorful.

MF: medium to thick body, low carbonation, silky mouthfeel

D: well it's weird to judge this as an American Porter because it is far more like what I thought a stout was supposed to be. Then again, there is definitely some overlap between these categories, but the bottom line is that this is the best American Porter I have had. Founders has never disappointed me.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2010 01:36:50 | More by homebrew311

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Kind of looks like flat Guinness Extra Stout. Nearly jet black, but actually dark dark brown. No carbonation or head retention, which creates the flat look. I'll give this the benefit of the doubt...maybe it was just a bad pour.

Smell: Not a surprise...coffee and chocolate. However, I like the clear presence of caramel malts, which gives it something extra.

Taste/Mouthfeel: No carbonation yet no flat or watery feeling. That's a plus. Nothing blows up as great. It's a very strong taste, with no surprises in the coffee, chocolate, and caramel malts. Some decent hops as well. More so than other beers like this that I've had.

Drinkability: It warms you up and convinces you to drink more...

Overall: Overall, Founders Porters is a rather unique beer in my opinion. It's a good bitter yet sweet beer.

Serving type: nitro-tap

04-24-2010 06:33:44 | More by tjsdomer2

CHickman

New York

4.45/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours opaque black with a 1/2 inch creamy chocolate shake like head with incredible lacing; the head floated on top like a malted the entire beer.

Smells of coffee, toasted malt, chocolate, and faint burnt wood chips. Very nice aroma, with the robust coffee odor of a stout.

Tastes of roasted malt, toasted coffee or espresso, sweet malt, light caramel, chocolate, toffee, grains, yeast, lemon, a slight hop bitterness and smoky finish - a nice complex taste combo. Tastes delicious like the coffee beans or cocoa could be floating in the beer.

Very tasty and smooth, this beer has a heavy body yet feels light and crisp. Mouthfeel is crisp and on the silky smooth side, with a smoky overall feel that's got very little to no carbonation.

A very enjoyable porter that has an earthy hoppy feel and goes down with ease. Highly drinkable and very tasty, I recommend this beer. It was so good that I ordered a second...with lunch.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2010 02:13:59 | More by CHickman

plaid75

New York

4.22/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at The Atlantic Chip Shop, Brooklyn, NYC.

Poured a deep black hue with a trace white cap. There was little retention and decent lacing.

The smell featured a sweet chocolate and light caramel.

The taste was driven by sweet cocoa and featured a slight smoke and light caramel.

The mouthfeel was full for the style.

Overall a tasty full bodied English style porter.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2010 19:10:50 | More by plaid75

metter98

New York

4.33/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured dark black with a small mocha head.
S: The aroma consists dark, roasted malts with faint hints of chocolate and coffee notes.
T: The flavors are very well balanced between dark roasted malts in the initial taste and bitter hops in the finish.
M: It feels relatively smooth and medium-bodied on the palate; the finish is slightly dry.
D: The drinkability is excellent.

Serving type: growler

04-11-2010 12:22:37 | More by metter98

jslern

New York

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

Poured from growler into 12 oz glass mug with handle.

A. Black with small/lacy tan head.

S. Rich coffee and dark chocolate.

T. coffee taste hits first with a hint of malty/bitter chocolate. Very good taste.

M. Thin and smooth.

D. Great stout, I want another.

Serving type: growler

04-05-2010 03:08:02 | More by jslern

cosmicevan

New York

4.38/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a fresh (growler fill was within the hour) 64oz growler into an Ommegang tulip.

A - Poured a silky oil black with a thin tan head that didn't hang around all that long.

S - Vanilla and caramel malts lead the nose. Has a touch of an earthy smell, but not as intense as say New Belgium brews.

T - Very roasted. Roasted nuts and malts dominate the flavor with some undertones of wood and caramel...perhaps even a touch of cocoa.

M - Very bready and oaty. Has a nice malty after-vibe and is cooling. Pretty thick, but not overly.

D - Really drinkable porter. If I have any complaint, it is the richness and fullness of the beer which might make this one that you wouldn't want to drink all evening. Really great porter though.

Serving type: growler

04-04-2010 00:11:48 | More by cosmicevan

david18

New York

4.1/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

So I've been hearing about Founders coming to New York for weeks and have been looking forward to the introduction since it was announced. I tried the Centennial and wasn't impressed. I had the pale ale and loved it! The porter is another one that impressed me greatly. Amazing malty and classic porter aroma. Great dark color and a perfect malty, portery flavor that, at the low abv makes it a great drinkable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2010 18:27:04 | More by david18