Pleasantville Smoked Porter - Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

cosmicevan

New York

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

newly released 16.9oz bottles of "Smoked Porter" picked up locally. enjoyed from a capt lawrence tulip.

a - 8 ball black with a thin off white fizzy head that leaves some pretty solid chunky lacing and hangs out for a bit. when you look closely you can see carbonation bubbles slowly churning to the surface of the beer from below.

s - smoked malts and bakers chocolate with some peat. crisp and clean...almost soapy.

t - bitter baker's chocolate, porter char and a nice hint of smoke. smoke beers can be tough to take but this is very well done. almost milk stout like in smoothness and flavor with a glaze of smokiness. nice roastiness.

m - VERY lively...almost too much carbonation. lots of char.

o - overall nice hint smokiness on a great porter backbone. rather tasty and impressive. this is definitely one to seek out and one that i will gladly have again. if only the carbonation was dialed back a touch.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 22:08:24 | More by cosmicevan

nh2032

New York

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-05-2013 20:25:53 | More by nh2032

chippo33

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%

05-02-2013 00:31:15 | More by chippo33

RyFikes

New York

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

04-30-2013 13:12:38 | More by RyFikes

juliusseizure

New York

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

04-15-2013 01:50:25 | More by juliusseizure

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500 mL bottle, no date

pours almost black in color, still some reddish highlights in the corners. off-white head that stays awhile. smell is roasty and smokey aroma. like charred wood. same with the taste, just enough smoke flavor without being too much. pleasant. toasty. body on the thicker side. coats the mouth, lower to medium carbonation.

overall -good level of smoke. I don't normally like that flavor when it's overpowering, but this beer is a good one.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 02:26:43 | More by jmdrpi

iL0VEbeer

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.2%

04-04-2013 18:01:34 | More by iL0VEbeer

duceswild

Maryland

4/5  rDev -2.2%

04-04-2013 13:00:00 | More by duceswild

marlinsfan4

Maryland

4/5  rDev -2.2%

04-03-2013 04:37:03 | More by marlinsfan4

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.24/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a nearly fully black with a light brown head. Aroma was very meaty, smoky, woody, chocolate, roast, brisket. Meaty taste as well. Not bacon, but definite smoked meatiness. Light chocolate and char, roast and light fruit notes. Creamy, full body.

Love me a meaty smoked beer and this fit the bill! Than,s a bunch Shane!

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 23:32:47 | More by EgadBananas

alexgash

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

16.9 oz. bottle.

Dark chocolate brown body. Small, but persistent, light khaki head. Some nice lacing. Nose shows a nice mix of roasted, sweet, and smoke. Charred barley, light coffee, semi-sweet chocolate, light peat, and flinty campfire.

Roasted barley and mild coffee bitterness up front. Light molasses bittersweetness, chocolate, and more roasted malt mid-palate. Smokiness comes on toward the finish. Smoldering campfire and a little peat. Earthy, carob-y,licorice-y sweetness in the finish. Slightly drier with lingering roasted bitterness and smoke. Medium bodied, with a creamy feel. A nicely balanced smoked porter.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 00:54:28 | More by alexgash

JohnQVD

New York

4/5  rDev -2.2%

03-17-2013 19:50:41 | More by JohnQVD

socon67

New York

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Mugs Alehouse

A - Black pour with a tan foam that settled fast. Some lacing and minimal carbonation.

S - Sweet sugary fruit smell is balancing some smoky heat. Smells like peppers grilling on the BBQ or the crackling peppers and onions from fresh fajitas.

T - Nice blend of sweet malt and fruit to go with some smoky peat malt. Leaves the right amount of burn on the tongue.

M - Very good balance on this beer. Does not go overboard with the smoke. would easily pair this with good cheeses.

O - I'd get this again. A good introductory smoked beer or an option for those that want some smoke but keep their palate intact.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2013 20:51:04 | More by socon67

smutty33

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -2.2%

03-09-2013 15:45:43 | More by smutty33

CharlatanSin

Connecticut

4.09/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Haven't had this for a couple of years until now, and never in the bottle. Remember liking it pretty well on tap.

A: Very dark brown, with dark tan edges and a small light tan head.

S: A ton of smoke. Campfire smoke. A good amount of dark fruit. Not a lot of roast.

T/M: Smoked malt. Chocolate. Plum. The smoke is the main event but not completely dominant -- there's good balance. The mouthfeel's medium, with low but prickly carbonation.

O: Another great effort from Captain Larry in a style we should see more of.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 18:06:10 | More by CharlatanSin

Noelito76

New York

2.75/5  rDev -32.8%

03-02-2013 04:01:55 | More by Noelito76

muskiesman

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

03-02-2013 00:53:22 | More by muskiesman

StJamesGate

New York

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Ruby black with craggy, purple-tan head that clings and trails.
Iodine smoke but also meat and red berry - gentle.
Prune and licorice, a roasty bite, smoky hit and then a bark and resin hop hit.
Cranberry finish and anise linger
Medium, chewy, some fizz, round.

Unusually, a solid porter on its own merits where the smoke supplements rather than overwhelms. Doesn't cloy, hops are restrained, and smoke appetizes at the end. Usual quality from Capt. Lawrence.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 02:09:55 | More by StJamesGate

macrosmatic

Florida

3.46/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes. Poured from 16.9 oz. bottle into a CCB pint glass.

A: Pours a nice dark brown, fairly clear, with a half-finger white head. Visible carbonation on the low side.

S: Smoky, roasty and bitter, with some bittersweet cacao.

T: Smoke, roasted coffee bitterness, toasted malt, a bit of Band-aid near the swallow. A mild bitter pine hop presence as well.

M: Body on the thin side for a porter, good carbonation sensation, moderate alcohol presence.

O: Not my favorite style. Decent for a smoked porter, but falls short of others I've had. Certainly not bad to give a try.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not certain that I'm reviewing the right beer. The label on this bottle simply says Smoked Porter, with no mention of Pleasantville. But it seems to be the only one listed on Captain Lawrence's website, so I'm running with it.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 00:04:35 | More by macrosmatic

Milkysunshine

New York

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

02-24-2013 19:29:21 | More by Milkysunshine

MadScientist

New York

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: A very dark brown beer with a deep garnet hue, almost too dark to let light through. The head is long lasting, creamy, expresso colored bubbles that leave some lasting.

S: Smooth, moderately-strong coffee and cocoa aromas with smoke coming just a bit under those. A light note of earthy hops and a little bit of dark, dried fruit.

T: A somewhat sweet, coffee and cream flavor with a moderate chocolate and smoke. The hops give a moderately-light bitterness with an light earthy hops flavor. A little dark fruit flavors again. The balance is slightly sweet with a medium-sweet finish and a smokey, chocolate aftertaste.

M: Medium full bodied with a moderate carbonation. Very cream and smooth that works so well with the flavors.

O: It's like having a fire roasted cup of coffee with cream and sugar. The overall balance is great and somewhat rich.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 23:56:53 | More by MadScientist

metter98

New York

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: The beer is nearly black in color—traces of dark red are visible near the bottom of the glass when it is held up to a bright light. It poured with a finger high dense tan colored head that died down but left a coating of bubbles down the sides of the glass and a thin head covering the surface.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of smoke and dark and chocolate malts in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the initial taste is smoky but starts to give way to flavors of chocolate and roasted malts as well as some hints of coffee beans. A slight amount of bitterness is present.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and a little smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. The finish leaves your mouth with a slight amount of dryness.
O: While the smoky aromas and flavors of this beer can rival a rauchbier, this beer isn't overpowered by the smoky malts and still has a light-bodied nature and easy drinkability of a porter. I would have no problem drinking several of these in one sitting.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 03:41:33 | More by metter98

jbuddle

New York

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%

02-20-2013 17:45:30 | More by jbuddle

ThePorterSorter

New York

3.99/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

The beer pours an opaque black with an inch of creamy tan head that offers good retention and laces. The nose is chocolate-y, bacon-ey, cardboard-y, and hoppy. I didn't get as much distinct smoke as I'd hoped for. However, the taste coats the palate with smoked malt. It's still relatively sweet and bitter and the smoke is not overpowering. I'd place this beer as medium bodied with great interplay between the sweet and smokey malts and bitter hops. The aftertaste is more bitterness than smoke, but it still leaves a mildly ashy burnt caramel. I'm pleased with the beer, it's price/availability, and drinkability and think it should be a local go-to for that smoked porter craving.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 01:47:29 | More by ThePorterSorter

dogfishandi

New York

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

16.9 oz bottle at fridge temp poured into a snifter. Labeled just as "Smoked Porter" but based on the other reviews I'm thinking this is the same beer.

Pours out pretty much opaque black with a very nice full head, light beige in color. Good retention with a ton of thick sticky lace. Looks really good.

Nice smokey aroma, smoked wood, charcoal, ashy. Hard to get much else, some roast as it warms.

The smoke is more in balance with the rest of the beer, still pretty prominent. Ashy smoked wood, a bit of campfire, A nice dark chocolate roasted malt, bakers chocolate. Maybe a hint of an English yeast?

Medium in body, carb feel about right for style.

A very nice smoked porter, very true to style. I'd drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 23:21:12 | More by dogfishandi