Mocha Porter - Rogue Ales

2ndstage

Texas

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle in Amarillo, Smooth porter a little light on the expected chocolate tones you would expect. Rich and bittersweet with most of the choc taste coming from the malt. Fairly mellow mouthfeel maybe thinner than I would like in a porter. Nice dark brown appearance with long lasting tan head.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2005 00:28:51 | More by 2ndstage

xpatriate

Quebec (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured one finger head into 20oz.pint glass.very dark brown almost black.zero light through the glass.chocolate in smell.taste was good and the chocolate comes out up and around the roof of my mouth.a little light when it came to mouthfeel.i could drink about three of these and that would be it.all in all a good beer with flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2007 02:23:24 | More by xpatriate

crizmo2352

Alabama

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer poured an opaque deep brown shade with rust colored highlights and produced a nice thick tan colored head. The head subsided to a thin pad, leaving splotchy lacing about the glass. I was hoping for a bit more head retention...The initial aroma of the beer is hoppy - a mostly piney scent with subtle citrus tones. The spiceyness of the hops does not linger, however. The aroma is also rich with roasted malt and chocolate notes. Roasted malt and bittersweet chocolate dominates the flavor, but there is also a hint of coffee. Burnt notes are also intermingled. The hops do not come through in the flavor quite as much as in the aroma, although the flavor is still pleasantly bitter and finishes dry and clean. Overall, the flavor profile is quite balanced. Solid medium-full bodied beer is almost a bit chewy. Maintained carbonation well but seems almost a bit more effervescent than should be for the style - although it does aid in smoothing out the body and bitterness. All in all, a good porter and worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2007 23:02:31 | More by crizmo2352

burkyburk

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I found a single bottle of this beer for sale. I'll definitely be going back for a six-pack in the future.

Almost two inches of head, reducing to beautiful lacing.
Such an amazing smell. I picked up on the coffee and chocolate right off the bat.
This beer is definitely worthy of the title "Mocha". Huge chocolatey presence.
The mouthfeel is a best of both worlds of sorts. Starts off sweet and smooth early and gets a bit bitter and "dark chocolate" reminiscent toward the end.
I'm impressed!

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2011 20:49:06 | More by burkyburk

ESeab

New Jersey

3.84/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour dark dark brown, close to black. Thin vanilla head with nice lacing

SMells rich dark chocolate/coffee

Tastes bitter dark coffee. A touch of dark fruit. Definitely more bitter and not sweetness much at all. Not very smooth and could be better balanced.

Mouthfeel is nice actually. I like a porter to be a bit thinner with a good amount of small bubbled carbonation.

Overall I'm happy I tried this. I'll drink this again but won't go out of my way to seek it out. There are better porters and stouts out there that aren't as bitter as this guy. I like the amount of flavor for the low abv though

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 23:58:39 | More by ESeab

JAZwara

New York

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz Bomber bottle

A: excellent, very deep brown, nearly black; pours with a wonderful tan head that slowly dissipates; very nice lacing

S: mostly malty and chocolate, something slightly off about the chocolate notes

T: very quality porter, but difficult to pick up on the mocha; mocha is very residual, doesn't come out until slightly after a sip

M: good, nicely carbonated which brings out a little bite to balance against the malts

D: complexity of the mocha flavor requires a slow drink to really enjoy, makes for a nice nightcap

I'm usually partial to Bell's and Southern Tier porters and stouts, and this was the first Rogue porter I sat down to review while I drank; a pretty good beer, but not quite at the top of my rotation

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 02:40:25 | More by JAZwara

brother_rat

New York

4.3/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours out a frothy, dirty tan head with the color and pitting of bubbling caramel. The beer is very dark, an opaque black, with only a faint redness at the ends of the glass when held up to a lamp. Deep and dark. The head fades quickly, after a few minutes, with very minimal lacing. 3.5/5

S: Pours tart, with dry, salty, smoky notes. Very pronounced sweet malts, minimal hops. 4/5

T: A very delicious balance, with many flavors poking out with each sip: tannins, chocolate, smoky hints, shaved wood, espresso, charcoal, and unripe fruit, etc. Hops in the background, well balanced. Finishes dry, with a mouthwatering creaminess. 4.5/5

M: Very drinkable, with a meaty, thick taste up front, which I love in a good porter, and yet it finishes dry and yet with a touch of lactose. Medium carbonation. 4/5

O: Not sure if there's lactose in this, or if it just tastes like there is; in any event, this is a fabulous porter: drinkable, dark and tannic but balanced and complex. The coffee/chocolate flavor is there but not slapping you in the face. I've had this many times (bottle & draught) and it's delicious by itself or paired. Tons of flavors that release as it warms up. 4.5/5

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 04:58:28 | More by brother_rat

robg2251

Michigan

3.53/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep dark black with a tan head that sits there quite a while.
Has a light chocolate caramel aroma to it.
Full and creamy on the palate, with lively carbonation. Has a mixture of chocolate, coffee and caramel taste to it. Very creamy.
This is a pretty good porter, but didn't surprise me with anything I haven't tasted before. Maybe a little too much carbonation for me.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2007 01:12:17 | More by robg2251

jxhowell

Mississippi

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance

Pours a dark brown, almost black color with traces of russett at the edges. A thin tan foamy head that laces well

Smell

roasty choocolate aromas dominate with slight vegetal undertones at the end

Taste

dark chocolate followed by roasted grain then the bitterness of the black malt takes over and gently leads you to the grassy, hoppy finish

Mouthfeel

Medium-full bodied that begins mid palate and quickly thins out to increase drinkability.

Overall, a very good beer that is dry enough to be enjoyed on a warm summer day yet roasty and full bodied enough to warm you up on winter nights.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2010 02:53:09 | More by jxhowell

erwin08

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: pours a rich dark brown, almost black, with a tan creamy head.

S: smells of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malts.

T: nicely balanced flavor of chocolate and coffee.

M: Rich mouth feel but smooth and not overly heavy tasting.

D: Amazingly drinkable for a porter. Highly recommended!

Another great brew from the folks at Rogue!

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2008 04:33:15 | More by erwin08

dedrick

New York

4.6/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was poured into a pint glass from a 12 oz. bottle.

A- Creamy, ivory, thick head. about two inches (though I gave it somewhat of a vicious pour). Very dark golden brown. Golden Ruby when held to the light. Heavy lacing.

S- Wonderful coffee, nutty smell.

T- This beer has a great taste. The traditional porter style is there but with a slight bitter coffee spin. Warm, fairly dry flavor. You have to really search for the sweetness but it's there toward the end.

M- Good feel. Creamy and smooth. Not too watery or thick.

D- very.

This is a great beer. I'm very pleased with it. The after taste is wonderful also, like banana bread or something nutty.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2010 23:39:14 | More by dedrick

DanielBrett

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle poured into a pint glass

A: Very dark, almost black. a Ruby Brown color when put close to light. Had a creamy, tan, 1.5 finger head that lasted only a few minutes. Some decent lacing on side of glass

S: Not a strong smell, some roasted malt.

T: Malty sweetness, Notes of chocolate and coffee are evident.

M: Very Smooth, slick feeling in the mouth. Medium to heavy body and low carbonation.

O: A solid Porter, great beer for a winter night. Would purchase again for sure.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 01:57:56 | More by DanielBrett

JohnTerrizzi

West Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Serving Type: bottle poured into clear glass beer mug.

Appearance: dark brown. not quite opaque. when held to the light there are hues of red. tan head that dissipates rapidly. some lacing.

Smell: sweet dark malty smell. hints of cocoa and mocha.

Taste: toasted malts with some cocoay bitterness. the toasted malt flavor is not all that robust. the cocoa bitterness is a persistent after taste.

Mouthfeel: a little carbonated prickliness on the tip of the tongue. semi-full-bodied.

Overall: not a bad porter, but not the best either. the after taste is good, but the initial impression is not great.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 01:08:03 | More by JohnTerrizzi

LuDookie

3.99/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

I poured this from the bottle into a mug.

It looked great going in and had a good head, but it disappeared very quickly.

It smelled the part.

Upon first sip, I was a little disappointed. I picked up on a lot of carbonation and hardly any hint of mocha. I found it moderately bitter for a porter and not sweet at all, which is what I expected. However, I enjoyed it more as I drank it.

Could be a little creamier....I like a thick creamy beer.

Overall, it was a very good beer, and easy to finish, but if you really like porters but are looking for something a bit different, look elsewhere. This is just another good porter.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 00:25:10 | More by LuDookie

brewbacca

California

4.53/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

S: Had this on cask in a 20oz nonik at the rogue ale house in san francisco, they even made me a beer float out of it, so good.

A: liquid black gold, great head, with good retention, amazing after all it was a cask, it looked soild black, and I barely let the light pass through the glass!!

S: I literally inhaled the head trying smelling this stuff, It was like crack, but better. the smell of your favorite coffee house hits your right away, a long with malty notes. there's some bittering hops notes as well but just barely though, just right amount.

T: oily, thick and rich. coffee flavors, area first on the palete, followed by the rich chocolate and roasted malt notes. It finishes up clean with nice bitter hoppy/black coffee notes in the after taste.


MF: very smooth and oily, since this was a cask, it lacked the really fizzy feeling of the regular draft, but it retained just the right amount for me, it was also perfect room temp. not to warm.

D: I could drink several a day, till I got sick of it. the only thing was after 3 you need to drink some water to rid your self of the acidic taste left over from the coffee. I don't drink coffee, but I love this stuff. If you happen to encounter either the draft or cask order it.

Serving type: cask

08-24-2005 03:33:51 | More by brewbacca

noremorse1

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark-chocolate black with an off color head that dissipates quickly leaving a small amount of lace on the glass.

Smell is relatively simple. Malt, Coffee, and Chocolate. I am surprised at how mild the smell is. I thought it would have been a bit stronger.

Taste matches the smell... the malt is the strongest with a subtle coffee and chocolate flavor behind with a touch of bitterness close to that found in a cup of coffee sneaking in at the end. With second sip I detect some more sweetness close to a raisin flavor.

Mouth feel is light with a mild warming sensation after the swallow. The light body and flavor makes this beer easy and drinkable.

This IS a good beer, but I expected much more given my experience with some of their other beers. Maybe it is my own fault for having expectations. I would drink it again, but I prefer their Shakespeare Stout or Chocolate Stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2007 04:12:37 | More by noremorse1

Drufus

Connecticut

3.2/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured jet black with a coffee colored inch high head.

Smelled faintly of chocolate, not near as much rogues chocolate bomb stout.

Taste was decent, coffee and chocolate notes. I could taste a tartness that seemed a little overpowering. I have had a few meals with the beer and for some reason when drank with food, this beer tastes a heck of a lot better. The tartness goes away, and i can even taste more chocolate.

Mouthfeel is a little bubbly. A little too bubbly for this style.

the tartness makes this a little tough to down more than one.

I recommend eating with the beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2008 22:53:21 | More by Drufus

pocwolf

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on draft at my local pub. Black in color with a great coffee/chocolate smell. I am usually not a fan of the burnt flavor in porters but this beer was a great mix of the smoky, chocolate and coffee flavor. While I enjoyed it as a treat it wouldnt be something I could drink all night.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2010 01:09:15 | More by pocwolf

AleWynch

California

3.1/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

poured mildly chilled into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass

A: Dark brown, ruby at edges - nice 2 finger head - quickly dissipated into 1/4" head - limited lacing.

S: Picking up roasted malts, a bit of caramel malt...not much else.

T: Decent, but overly roasted. Bit astringent, husky on the finish... Needs a bit more backbone/body... Surprisingly one-dimensional - not really getting a lot of the chocolate/coffee flavor - just the roasted malt mainly.

M: Well carbonated, bit thin, overall not too bad, but nothing special.

D: Not a terrible porter, but not especially notable. Probably not a repeat purchase.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2010 04:12:19 | More by AleWynch

BRoberts914

Georgia

3.6/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had anticipated trying this beer for quite some time. Finally got the chance last night. The appearance is what one would expect for the style--dark, with ruby highlights on the edges. The smell is pleasing with a healthy dose of dark malts, english hops, and a hint of roasted nuts. Unfortunately, the malts suggested by the aroma did not show up as prominently in the palate as I had expected. Maybe I'm being a little harsh here, but it seemed like the malt taste was too weak and gave way to the hoppy finish too quickly for a robust porter. The mouthfeel was very good--creamy, full bodied, but not overpowering. I could easily drink multiples of this beer, but I would probably go with an Anchor or a Sierra Nevada instead.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2005 22:32:11 | More by BRoberts914

gauchebag

New York

2/5  rDev -48.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

I don't know if I got an old bottle or something but this was very underwhelming. It looked good enough, dark and black, poured a decent head. No smell whatsoever. I see reviews saying that it smelled like coffee or chocolate, I just smell a very vague bitterness that has no real character.

The taste is extremely bland and very light. Again, no real character and to move on to mouthfeel, it's very very thin and there is basically no carbonation present.

It's somewhat drinkable because it's so inoffensive but that's not something I look for in a beer. I'll have to try this if I'm out in Oregon again but this time I was really not impressed at all.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2010 22:56:36 | More by gauchebag

iamntbatman

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Very dark brown. Light gets through only on the extreme edges. The thick, tan head quickly dissipates and leaves behind moderate lacing.

Smell: Coffee, coffee, and more coffee with hints of bitter chocolate and nuts (I'm thinking hazelnuts).

Taste: Coffee, burnt malt bitterness, chocolate is more slight and again a little bit of nuttiness. The hops poke their tiny head through in the background, which was lost in the smell.

Mouthfeel: Prickly and thin at first but sticks to the tongue nicely. This would be a bit better if it was thicker in the mouth.

Drinkability: Fairly high, but the strong flavor keeps it from being a real session beer.

This porter is closer to some of the more coffee-flavored stouts I've had than most other porters I've had. One of the best porters I've had for sure.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2009 04:00:28 | More by iamntbatman

treble

New York

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Each time tasting this beer, it was poured from the bottle into an unchilled pint mug. The coloring is pretty typical of this style of beer, a very dark rich brown, caramel hued when held up to the light, slightly reddish. The head built up beautifully, a fluffy off-white, a good couple fingers tall and didn't dissipate too quickly. Lacing on the glass is not exactly like, well, lace, it's more a creamy ring with bubbles in it at the top and then gradually becomes more openwork as it sheets down the glass.

Smells rich, raisins and slight dark chocolate, but also with a bit of alcohol, sour-ish but not offensive, robust.

I have a funny relationship with porters, i either like them very much, or i can't even bring myself to finish my beer. I liked the taste of this one very much, it didn't have that terrible bitterness i dread experiencing. I actually liked this beer closer to the room temp. than very cold. Very complex in its flavors, tastes slightly alcoholic, you really can taste hints of cocoa initially and then it quickly develops into a full hoppy coffee with burned sugar that starts at the back and puckers the tip of your tongue. Not unpleasantly bitter, nor can i say it's at all sweet, pretty nice development and balance. The bitterness it does have stays in your mouth long after your sip though, a drawback in my opinion.

Hm, mouthfeel, i can see why one of the reviewers said that a thicker mouthfeel was expected, it is very dark and flavorful and there is quite a bit of carbonation, which is why the head was so beautiful. This beer is by no means thin, though, just big bubbles. I think that maybe finer carbonation would be an improvement but it's pretty smooth regardless. Definitely a drinkable beer, i did have four of them, but i like dark beer...

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2008 21:27:22 | More by treble

RealityGrill

Arizona

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Imperial Pint Glass

A: Appears almost black, russet tones when held to light, massive light brown head that dissolves chunkily.

S: Mocha (surprisingly), quite sweet

T: Intense coffee and chocolate followed by rear-mouth bitterness, but after the first two sips I became slightly numbed to this

M: Slightly more watery than I expected, but this was after drinking a cream stout

D: The bitterness seemed to ruin my palate, but I would certainly buy this beer again another day

Rogue always gets points for style

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2010 06:29:11 | More by RealityGrill

CrumpledFish

Ontario (Canada)

3.1/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Very dark brown, almost black. Two finger tan head.

S: Appropriately named since it has a nice chocolately mocha smell. Malty as well.

T: Quite sour up front and an interesting aftertaste that is slightly smoky.

M: Somewhat runny, almost what I would call watery.

O: I'll admit my experience with porters is somewhat limited, but this beer was only so-so for me. It wasn't bad, but the watery feel and sour taste didn't thrill me. I would drink it again, but I wouldn't buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2011 00:37:13 | More by CrumpledFish