Mocha Porter - Rogue Ales

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

PorterForMe

Indiana

3.48/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass

A: Poured a 1 1/2-finger tan head with decent retention and excellent lacing. Dark brown with some light penetration producing a reddish appearance around the edges of the glass

S: Sweet, toasty malts and light hop presence

T: Follows the nose. Coffee and toasty malts over biscuit-flavored foundation and faint, bittersweet chocolate finish. The flavors are all there, they are just a little too thin.

M: Very nice, great carbonation and medium body.

O: Pretty good but not mind-blowing. There are more flavorful year-round porters to be had. If you have access, go for Deschutes Black Butte Porter instead.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2011 02:55:25 | More by PorterForMe

FlikkerDans

California

3.15/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I'm not sure what the date was on this, so it could have been new or a few years old. It poured black with a small tan colored head. The smell was mostly roasty, with a slight hint of dark chocolate.There was mainly a roasted coffee taste, again with a slight hint of chocolate, but not as much chocolate as expected for a Mocha Porter. The mouthfeel was quite nice as this was a cool, smooth, and creamy beer. This wasn't a bad beer by any means. I'm glad I tried it but I wouldn't rush out to buy more. I get the feeling that it was a year or two old so I'd like to try it new.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2009 14:48:22 | More by FlikkerDans

dkrusekontrol

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured out with a nice tan head that seems to hold. Dark. Looks like a porter should.

I love the smell. Then again I love coffee. A little bit of smoke, dark chocolate, and alcohol.

The taste is quite bitter. Think dark rather than milk chocolate. I found myself wishing there was a touch more creamy sweetness, but there's definitely some good stuff going on. I managed to find a little caramel. The coffee taste really hits after the initial bitterness.

I found my mouth to be a little sticky after swallowing. I enjoyed the brew. Thanks Rogue!

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2011 01:42:27 | More by dkrusekontrol

Brewdacris

Alabama

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

I have had most of Rogues other offerings and and have enjoyed every one of them, so I am excited to have the Mocha Porter.

Appearance- Pours a mildy hazy dark brown with a light tan, 1 finger head... Dissipates quickly

Smell- Possibly my favorite part of this beer. Dark roasted malts with coffee and chocolate present. Very arousing scents

Taste- Chocolatey malts and roasted barley make themselves extremely apparent. The mocha is present as well. Very tasty beer

Mouthfeel- Light-medium body, appropriate amount of carbonation.

Overall, this is definitely one of my favorite Rogues, if not one of my favorite porters. A well-executed example of the style

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 01:52:03 | More by Brewdacris

RPFinn

Colorado

4.63/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: pours dark brown with a solid tan head. good retention, very even. Nice looking brew.

S: Big sweet malt on the nose. Toffee and caramel up front. Roasted barley and light chocolate notes towards the end.

T: Sweet chocolate. Beautifully balanced. Toffee and caramel reappear after the chocolate at the forefront. Excellent balance. Roasted barley and smokiness emerge as it warms to room temp.

M: Great mouthfeel on this beer. Not quite chewy, but substantial enough for what I'm expecting from a Rogue Porter.

D: Superb. Dangerously drinkable. I love this beer, and want to savor it, but I can't put it down...

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2010 00:01:40 | More by RPFinn

mrmuskie

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This beer poured a black with burgandy highlights and a 1/4" tan head.
The smell was a roasty maple sweetness with a slight coffee aromma and maybe a touch of pine.
The taste wasnt the typical mocha flavor i was used to it had a sweet maltiness with good hop balance, i found the coffee flavor can through in the finish (very nice).
All and all i would say this is a very drinkable porter not the typical cloying sweet malt bomb.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2011 15:40:10 | More by mrmuskie

Papabear55

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a 10 oz snifter from 22 oz bomber

A:Nice two finger dark brown head. Looks thicker than it actually is.

S: Coffee with a bit of burn malts.

T:All coffee with a nice malty backbone to keep it from being overwhelming.

M: Thicker than most porters I've had. Not much coating of the mouth with this one.

O: Rogue is my favorite brewery and for me this beer delivers. Good price and goes well with a breakfast style dinner.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 02:45:37 | More by Papabear55

docnose

Alabama

4.46/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I enjoy the bottle art of this beer.

The appearance is black. Black like tar. Even while back lit this beer is still dark. It has a nice head that lasts... I poured my bottle into a glass and left it on my desk for 20 or so minutes and it still has a nice frothy 1/4 inch of head.

I really need to read more, and smell more, when it comes to identifying aromas. The smell is not overwhelming in any particular direction... I want to say it smells of mocha, but I don't even know what that means! Mocha is in the name so I want to say that's the smell... It's, I guess, a balanced aroma of coffee without any strong smell of hops (the Kudzu Porter from Back Forty smells strongly of hops in comparison).

Someone more experienced than I can probably describe the complexity of the taste. The strongest is, of course, the mocha flavor... hints of chocolate... I find it absolutely delicious. They need to barrel age this stuff in Jack Daniel's barrels so I can contrast it with another local barrel aged porter that I love.

The mouthfeel is kind of creamy... thickish... but with a somewhat refreshing dryness to it...

Overall I love this porter very much. I expected I would from what I'd heard/read about it. I couldn't get it as a single from the liquor store so I had to get a whole six pack and I have no doubt that I will drink them all... maybe even tonight...!

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 05:21:30 | More by docnose

reillybeer

Minnesota

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

A - Black color, dark amber when held up to light. Looks like coca cola. Frothy beige colored head, eighth inch high. Thin patchy lacing.

S - Mostly dark roasted coffee, tangy grapefruit hop undertones. Very sharp smelling.

T - Definitely lives up to its name as a mocha flavor dominates at first, then it segues into a bittersweet hoppy flavor.

M - Moderate carbonation. Light creaminess.

D - Surprisingly this is not a very heavy beer,which enhances its drinkability as its flavors are somewhat intense. This beer is tasty :)

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2007 03:50:15 | More by reillybeer

chiefthreebeers

Vermont

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

Great beer. Hearty, sweet and flavorful. I saw mocha porter and was worried about it being bitter and chalky. Not the case. Brilliant design and execution.

A- Dark

S- Roasted aromas

T- Chocolate and coffee notes are abundant.

M- Bitterness is offset perfectly with sweetness, a very well balanced beer in my humble opinion

D- I am nursing this one, not sure if it's a session beer. Probably better off for a after dinner beer

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2008 00:26:35 | More by chiefthreebeers

Holden

New Hampshire

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

A dense head lingered for a couple of minutes on this nearly opaque porter. I noticed a soft, but not overpowering roasty cocoa aroma as I sniffed. I detected no hop aroma.

Upon taking a sip, it became obvious why this is called mocha. The blend of cocoa, coffee carried though to the end with a pleasing aftertaste that made me want to have more. The slight maltiness was balanced well with the hop bitterness and roasted malts. The flavor really came through as the beer warms up.

Mouthfeel was pleasant and appropriate, improved as the beer warms, and carbonation dropped a bit. I really enjoyed this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2005 01:37:39 | More by Holden

dmortens

Massachusetts

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

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a clear glass stein.

A - A little more than a finger of dense, tan head with good retention and lots of lacing on the glass. Body is opaque, the color of black coffee, and only lets light through at the edges.

S - Aroma is roasted malt and coffee.

T - A bit like black coffee, with more alcohol and citrus in the finish than cream or sugar.

M - Medium body, little carbonation.

D - This beer smells nice and looks impressive, but the finish wasn't quite what I expected. I like the coffee, but there's a lot of citrus and acidity and maybe not enough roasted malt to balance. This porter is pretty drinkable, but I think the finish is lighter than I'd like it to be.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2009 02:48:13 | More by dmortens

PhoenixShredds

California

3.86/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Poured into Guinness Pub Pint glass.

A: Pours a thick, deep brown, near black. Under light it shows a hint of amber. Thin 1/2 finger head of mocha color which dissipates quickly.
S: Roasty with apparent coffee and chocolate character. Medium hops seem to add some earthiness.
T: Strong coffee-chocolate flavors, but also with a touch of oats-flavor. Med-hop bitterness balances the roasted malts and keeps it more complex.
M: Medium to full bodied with low-medium carbonation. It drinks fairly robust and a bit of a creamy tail.
O: A hearty porter with strong coffee and chocolate character. The Mocha in the name leads you expecting a bit more chocolate and sweetness, but still an enjoyable and robust beer. Plenty of roasted flavors were apparent, but the oat after-taste was a nice surprise and seemed to hint of unroasted malts, even if not actually present. I would drink this again, but not at the top of the list in this style.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 03:13:43 | More by PhoenixShredds

OriginalHopHead

4.38/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I really liked this IPA although it's much smoother compared to regular IPAs I drink. Definitely sweet undertones; like coffee and chocolate but not overwhelming at all.
I'm a visual person too and I like the bottling, labeling, etc. However, I bought a single bottle and had no information on the beer at all. Usually like seeing some IBU info on the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 01:56:13 | More by OriginalHopHead