Pleasantville Smoked Porter - Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

washburnkid

New York

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice big beige bubbly froth. Porter is dark with very little color at the edges. Aromas are smoky and malty but not overwhelming. Flavors are less smoky than the aroma promises but it still makes itself known. Chocolate is burned and there's a minor acidity. Thin mouth. This is a good porter, but as someone who has had the same offering from Stone, it doesn't quite compare in the smokiness factor. Still good!

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2011 21:30:40 | More by washburnkid

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap. Served in a goblet. Reviewed from notes.

Pours nearly black with a very large mocha head and really nice retention. Spotty lacing on the way down. The nose brings some light roast and smoke along with a bit of coffee. The flavor picks it back up with a really nice roast-to-coffee-to-smoke triangle going on. Well done. Medium body with a smokey finish. Good carbonation. Solid brew.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2011 18:33:49 | More by Thorpe429

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark black color with some brown hues and a nice finger of frothy tan head. The head fades slowly down to a ring around the glass leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - The aroma is bursting with smoke and oak notes. There is also some sweet malt and some chocolate and coffee mixed in as well.

T - Starts off with a nice mix of smoke and roasted flavors with some sweet malt and some oak and vanilla notes. Through the middle some sweet chocolate and some coffee flavors come through. The finish is a mix of some roasted and smoky flavors with some oak and chocolate that linger nicely.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels just a bit creamy. The smoke flavor feels great and balanced throughout the beer. The finish especially has some nice warming oak and smoke flavor.

D - Very drinkable. Really nicely balanced flavors and very complex. The smoke feels nice and strong, but at the same times feels balanced with the rest of the flavors.

Serving type: growler

05-27-2011 05:14:21 | More by ngeunit1

Avantyawn

New York

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Shake Shack of all places..

A: Dark black pour on tap, very little head.

S: Smokey smoked smokiness. Some malts and coffee scents, but smoke dominated.

T: Smokey smoked smokiness, tastes exactly like it smells. Woody charred stinky wood taste, almost meat like flavors. I like it. A nice malty finish.

M: A bit thin, this was served way too cold on tap, I think the mouthfeel might have been better if it weren't so cold. Thinly carbonated.

D: Very drinkable beer here. It certainly is smooth, balanced, and tasty. The only reason I am not giving this a 4.5 is because I feel like smokiness would wear on me after 2 of these, but I have yet to test the threshold of a smoky beer.

I had this with a burger and fries, and it went very well with it. I would probably pick this up if I saw it bottled. I am impressed with my first Captain Lawrence tasting.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2011 01:27:11 | More by Avantyawn

PicoPapa

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On tap. Pours a black color with a thin head. Lots of lacing. Aromas of smoke, roasted malts and some coffee. Flavor shadows the aroma. Alot of smoke upfront among with some malts and coffee. A bit thin in the mouthfeel department but damn tasty. Overall its a good smokey brew worth a second look.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2011 20:09:14 | More by PicoPapa

mltobin

Connecticut

3.68/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap from the CL brewery.

Appearance is black with a short tan head. Its smell is a mix of coffee, roasted malts, kinda smokey too. This porter tastes rich and sweet with the malts still there. MF is full bodied. It drinks well, it is better than many other porters out there.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2011 01:55:56 | More by mltobin

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Half Acre shaker pint glass.

Big thanks to Cuzco for sending me this growler!

Reviewed blind as part of Blind BIF #4. The pour results in a ruby-tinted obsidian topped by slightly more than a finger of bright ecru foam. The nose comprises peat smoke (mild but wonderul), molasses, chocolate syrup, roasted malts, sweet caramel, and a touch of vanilla bean. The taste keeps the smoke up front and personal, just the way I like it, along with some roast, coffee, dark chocolate, and caramelized caramel. The body is a hearty medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a nearly chewy feel. Overall, a very tasty little treat, a big hit with the guys I shared it with.

Serving type: growler

02-20-2011 23:42:03 | More by TMoney2591

Vdubb86

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Sam Adam's Perfect Pint Glass

Thanks to TMoney2591 for bringing this growler over to share with everyone. Apparently this is part of his Blind Beer BIF #4 so I'm honored to be a part of it.

This beer pours a very dark brown appearing near black in the glass. The foam is off-white in color. The beer has a smell of both smoke and and a malty sweetness. There are hints of vanilla and a touch of coffee. This beer tastes similar to the aroma. There is a wonderful balance between the smoke flavor and the sweetness of the malty body. The mouthfeel is minorly astringent due to the coffee flavor. But in all honesty it still goes down really easily. I honestly could drink a lot of this beer. If there is high ABV I can't really taste it. I truly enjoyed being able to try this beer.

Serving type: growler

02-20-2011 08:37:44 | More by Vdubb86

SpeedwayJim

New York

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this one up to share with the family. $10 for a 64oz. growler fill. Pretty good deal. Poured from a growler into (embarrasingly) a Duvel oversize tulip. Reviewed from notes.

A: Standard pour yields a 1.5 finger frothy light milk chocolate head with moderate retention. Beer is a clear, dark, almost opaque brown. Lacing is stringy and with little stick. Pretty standard overall.

S: Not much going on in the nose though not unpleasant either. Brown sugar, roasted malt, liquorice, caramel, char, and some chocolate notes. Simple and moderately aromatic.

T: Opens sweet. Caramel, honey, and brown sugar. Roasted malt smokiness towards the middle. Reminds me of a honey covered and brown sugar sprinkled strip of bacon. Ends sweet brown sugar, caramel spice, and some roasted notes. Finish is barbecue and honey glaze and aftertaste is moderately sweet.

M: Light to medium bodied and moderately carbonated. Silky and smooth on the palate and easy going down. Finish is slightly messy with a bit of a lingering aftertaste. Drinks a bit bolder than its abv, which is nice.

D: The first time I sampled this at the brewery, I wasn't a huge fan. However, after having it again, I'm not sure why. Very easily drinkable and quite sessionable overall. I'd love to try the new imperial version of this one.

Serving type: growler

02-13-2011 03:14:14 | More by SpeedwayJim

taigor

New York

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into regular pint glass.

A - Poured pitch black color with medium head that took a while to dissipate leaving lots of lacing around the glass.

S - Smell is mostly malts with nothing much else detected.

T - Taste is sweet roasted malts with smoked sausage.

M - Medium bodied with above average carbonation.

D - Great porter overall, would be perfect for bbq. I would recommend it. Great job Captain!

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2010 18:16:32 | More by taigor

CooperEllis

New York

3.9/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tasty across the board.

It looks tasty, poured from a counterpressure filled growler the head rose nicly, light tan in contrast to the deeper roasted coffee color of the porter.

It smells tasty - whispy smoke, not overdone.

It is tasty. Seriously good beer. Solid malt flavors with traces of smoke throughout. A nice finishing taste. It could use a bit more sweetness...that's not exactly the right phrase. Somewhere between dark fruit chewy and outright sweet is a flavor I usually find that goes nicely with crisps burned in a quality smoker. I don't taste that here. It is not notable by it's absence, but it's addition would fully round out the flavor of this porter.

It is very light. Perhaps the lighest porter I've had.

Quite drinkable, indeed. I would hasten to add, I'm not a huge CL drinker on the whole, having been limited in the selection I've had from there. That said, I would certainly consider having this on hand routinely as my 'warm weather' porter.

(Tenth)

Serving type: growler

08-31-2010 23:33:46 | More by CooperEllis

drewd0g

New York

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

appearance - Dark Dark brown color, lets some light through. Has a beige head that sticks around for a little while.

smell - Smell is smokey and malty. Nice roasted mesquite scent.

taste - Lots of smoke and roasted malt flavor. Some espresso notes in there too.

mouthfeel - Relatively Thin, Nice for a porter. Moves around the mouth easily. Very pleasant.

drinkability - I love drinking this beer, one of my favorite beers they have. High drinkability, pairs nice with barbecue and roasted meats. Also good on its own as an after dinner drink.

Serving type: growler

08-17-2010 00:06:42 | More by drewd0g

mdfb79

New York

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

From 7/24/10 notes. Had on tap at CL at the cdc release.

a - Pours a dark black color with two inches of tan head and light carbonation evident.

s - Smells of chocolate, roasted malts, toasted malts, and has some definite smokiness to it. Very enjoyable.

t - Tastes of roasted malts, chocolate, light coffee, and some smokiness.

m - Medium body and low carbonation. Pretty easy to drink.

d - A very enjoyable and drinkable smoked porter. Would love to try again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2010 21:35:35 | More by mdfb79

Pahn

New York

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

Growler from the Bowery Whole Foods in NYC. Poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: Free pour leaves a thick, two inch frothy light tan head that dissipates slowly leaving a wall of lacing. Pours a solid black and leaves big swatches of lacing all along the glass.

Smell: Dominated mostly by a beautiful cookies and cream aroma. Some faint hops and cola-ish notes. Some roasted notes in the background.

Taste: Creamy chocolate, mild roasted malt, and a smoky coffee flavor. Small but noticeable bitterness--a lot less than you'd expect with the flavors surrounding it really. No hop presence in the flavor. Very smooth and palatable. Some of the cookie from the nose, but less than I personally would like.

Mouthfeel: Thick and creamy. Just a touch lighter than full-bodied. Not stout-thick, but not offensively watery either.

Drinkability: Very easy drinking, and all around a strong porter. I don't expect to crave it, really, but I'd have it again, especially in the Winter.

Nothing in this beer is particularly surprising, but pretty much everything is well-done and enjoyable.

Serving type: growler

07-13-2010 04:07:48 | More by Pahn

yourefragile

District of Columbia

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

Growler picked up at Barrel Select release.

Pours a dark brown, nearly opaque, but not quite. Hard pour produces a finger of small tan bubbles that slowly subside to a crown and film with average lacing. Aroma is roasty and smoky as expected, but fairly mild and never veering too charred or sharp. The smoked malt almost has a fruit like sweetness occasionally. Body is medium thick, slightly chewy with soft, fine carbonation. Flavor is like the nose, pleasantly sweet, roasted and smoky with some occasional chocolate, coffee and toffee notes. A very nice full bodied porter, but it would be a little more interesting if the smoke was turned up a little more.

Serving type: growler

05-14-2010 20:08:42 | More by yourefragile

berkey

California

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

Growler courtesy of ineedabeerhere. Thanks again Joe. From notes 04/25/10.

Initially I was worried about carbonation loss as there was a little moisture and stickiness in the package but this seems to have held up very well. A medium sized khaki colored head forms and leaves some nice lacing as it settles. The body is black & completely opaque even when held to sunlight.

Aromas are of roasted malt with a good share of dark chocolate. While the roasted malt definitely gives this a smoky character it's more balanced with the chocolate notes than I expected given the fact they call this a smoked porter.

First sip and the roasted smokiness is much more present helping this beer to live up to its name. Interestingly, the dark roasted malt doesn't have me thinking coffee as much as it does in many other roasty porters. Possibly because this isn't quite as bitter as some. Cocoa notes are still a big part of the flavor profile and help keep everything together. As it reaches room temperature there are some nice nutty and faint fruity flavors.

This beer is very easy drinking. Actually, now that my review notes are mostly done I find myself drinking this slightly quicker than my usual slow and steady pace.

Overall a very good American Porter that I'm very glad I had a chance to try. I look forward to more from this brewer in the near future.

Serving type: growler

04-26-2010 19:58:06 | More by berkey

ShogoKawada

Rhode Island

4.8/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

64oz growler from Mr. ineedabeerhere. Good looks, man!

A- Deep dark brown, nice head for a growler, sticky lacing, which is surprising me.

S- A wisp of smoke... campfire. Rich burnt coffee and caramel/molasses notes as well.

T- Mild dark fruit, a twang of acidic black coffee, and a wave of smoke fill the tongue. The smoke is very well incorporated.. Sometimes subtlety is where it's at. Really one of the best porters I've ever had.

M- Great body, good mouthfeel an a nice lingering (but mild) smoke flavor.

D- High. Goes down easy, no off-notes, and a wonderfully complex smoky element make this a tremendous beer. Of what I've had of Capt. Lawrence, this is waaay up there. I'll be buying three of growlers of this next time I'm in town..

Serving type: growler

04-07-2010 02:42:49 | More by ShogoKawada

scootny

New York

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

One of my favorite porters. A dark brown with a sizable head and goodly amount of lacing. A smoke and roasted malt nose has an underlying dark fruit and molasses sweetness. Some burnt chocolate as well. This smells very good. Taste is rich with roasted malts and coffee. Dark fruit and molasses with a sweet brown bread underpin it. Finish is firmly hopped in an earthy, English style with a bit of dryness and a clean astringent touch. A bit of chocolate cherries underneath the lingering brown bread and graham crackers. Feel is medium weight with a creamy, moderate carbonation. A quenching and satisfying drink that is a joy to session. This went great with Southern fried tofu and biscuits and gravy.

Serving type: growler

04-01-2010 05:51:06 | More by scootny

GbVDave

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 64oz growler into a 20oz imperial pint. Extra special thanks to Ineedabeerhere for this from our most recent trade! Growler filled at 5pm 3/13/10.

A: Pours a shade of dark brown so close to black, but not quite. Some ruby highlights at the bottom and edges when held to the light. Capping this is a marshmallow-y, dark khaki, three finger head that clings for dear life and leaves some sticky lace behind.

S: Surprisingly, not a huge smokey nose with this one. Heavily roasted malt combines nicely with some dark chocolate, fudge, and coffee. Also detected the aroma of fresh baked brownies.

T: See above. Some campfire smoke makes an appearance early in the game along with the aforementioned dark chocolate, coffee, and fudge. Also along for the ride is a hint of cherry and/or lemon.

M: Suprisingly smooth. That's not to say that there isn't a bit of that Porter-ish bitter tang in there (there is!) but along with the prickle, there's a wonderful smoothness that coats the tongue and hangs around for ages.

D: I don't care if this doesn't fit some archaic english definition of "sessionable" but dammit, I could spend a day with this beer. Thanks go out to Joe for hooking a brother up!

Serving type: growler

03-18-2010 01:51:21 | More by GbVDave

barknee

New York

4.5/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is one fabulous smoked brew done right! Total Rauchbier in disguise. Plenty of smoked malt, though not overly assertive, proudly proclaims the style. Unlike many American "smoked" beers, no expense was spared in the prep of this one. Crisp, slightly sweet but lacking the cloying syrupy accompaniment that many other related products have. Absolutely delicious, refreshing and very Germanic, this is a valiant effort in every way!

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2010 23:36:38 | More by barknee

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at the Captain Lawrence brewery in Pleasantville, N.Y.

A: Poured a very dark brown, near black, with a thin, sudsy head of tan foam. Had great viscosity and left some clingy white lace.

S: Smells of roasted black malt and coal, with hints of carob and smoked pine. Light herbal hopping and licorice kick around in the background.

T: Has a nice roasted malt flavor with a bitter caramel sweetness. Had a burnt sugar and coffee flavor to go along with a slightly smoky, cocoa taste also. Finish is sweet and a little clingy with some strong herbal hops to wash it away.

M: Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied and leaves a slight oily slicl on the palate.

D: A slightly stronger porter, both in ABV and malt flavor, but steady drinking and pretty smooth. It would be a tough pair unless you had some smoked meats or fish to go with it. Then again, it's a fine brew to just sip on its own.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2010 21:35:57 | More by Gambrinus1184

knight84

California

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

A: pours black w/copper highlights. Two fingers of dark frothy khakhi head that dissipates fairly quickly.
N: roasted smokey malts, coffee, smells really sweet and creamy. Some dark fruits: currants, raisins. There is a slight woody character to it as well.
T: lots of roasted malts, coffee, smokey wood, candied sugar, very robust on the palate, develops some wood flavors, there is a nice hop bitterness to balance the sweetness of the malts. Tastes like an imp porter.
M: very strong for a porter, lots of carbonation, it is strong in mf for a porter but still doesn't approach a stout. 
O: very drinkable, one of the better porters I've had, the complexity is great, I wish this were available in MI.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2010 03:20:26 | More by knight84

glid02

Georgia

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

On-tap at Rattle-n-Hum in NYC.

Pours black with a one-finger brown head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of roasted malts with good amounts of dark chocolate and just a hint of smoke. As it warms the smokiness increases just a bit and hints of earthy hops waft out.

Tastes similar to how it smells though a bit more intense. Roasted and chocolate malt flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by a decent amount of smokiness. The smokiness fades just before a solidly bitter ending. As with the smell hints of earthy and leafy hops make an appearance once the beer warms.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a solid thickness with smooth carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I finished my glass without a problem and could have another.

Overall I was a bit let down by this beer - a good porter but an average smoked porter. Still, I have to say it's worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2010 18:55:27 | More by glid02

Gmann

New York

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a near black color, only slightly brown around the edges. Nice dense khaki colored head that left a wall of lacing as it dissipated. Very stout like. The aroma is of roasted malt and mocha, some wet smoldering wood. Not an intense smoke aroma but noticable. All around good aroma. The taste starts off with a nice roasted malt which is quickly followed by a solid smoke presense, some charred beef, light coffee and finishes with a lemony/tea like tart character. Very nice range of flavors. The feel is on the thinner side like a traditional porter, not as big as other smoked porters. The carbonation is very soft, fairly sweet throughout but does finish with that tea like twang. A very good combination of roasted malt and smoke flavors. This porter bring boths to the table without feeling very heavy. Very enjoyable and worth seeking out.

Serving type: growler

12-11-2009 01:24:02 | More by Gmann

asabreed

New York

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From a growler purchased at the brewery. Into a traditional pint glass.

Appearance: A dark and nearly opaque body with a mocha-colored head. Lacing's thick and sticks rather well to the glass.

Smell: Good smoke here. A lot of smoked porters, at least that I've had, tend to bury the smoke flavor, but here there's good dark malt flavors mixed with the smoke. A bit of roasted chocolate and earth. A bit of fruit esters. Mild coffee.

Taste: A good initial burst of woodsmoke, followed by dark roasted malts, a bit of coffee and chocolate sweetness, and some mild complimentary fruit esters.

Mouthfeel: Kind of odd, as it seems like a bigger-bodied brew, but there's still a little slickness and a slightly watery nature too it, though it doesn't detract too much.

Drinkability: A solid smoked porter, one that's not too much to have a few of them in this upcoming winter season. Check it out if you can.

Serving type: growler

11-29-2009 19:18:28 | More by asabreed