Mocha Porter - Rogue Ales

evanlarkin

District of Columbia

3.05/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Appearance:
Dark brown, and a little lighter around the edges. Not gonna be seeing through this one. It looks kind of like dark chocolate. A single finger of tan head made of big bubbles.

Smell:
Toasted malts predominate with cocoa lingering in the background. No hops profile whatsoever. After spending some time on it, it has a slightly metallic scent.

Taste:
Toasted malts once again take the foreground. A slightly peaty smokiness comes in, with some coffee-like bitterness around the edges. It tastes a little watery. The finish is a bitter hoppiness.

Mouthfeel:
Like I've said, it's kind of watery. The taste hangs around in your mouth for a really long time, with the bitterness more pronounced.

Overall:
The quality seems alright, but it isn't my favorite. It does seem to be a good example of a porter however. I just don't care much for the wateriness.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2011 22:03:52 | More by evanlarkin

barleyroad

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Appearance is dark brown to black, rich light brown foam. The smell is strong on the coffee side. The mouthfeel is ok while the beer is in your mouth. After the beer leaves your mouth there is a strong coffee taste on the back of the tongue, which is good if you like that. The taste is good as porters go, but we feel it falls short of the other great porters out there. Overall if you like strong coffee in your beer you will like this beer. This is a muffin beer. enjoy...BR

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 23:31:23 | More by barleyroad

LucaBrasi

New York

3.03/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance is one of a opaque brown with a decent head which sticks around. It smells like coffee and burt malts. The taste is much like the smell. There are malts, hints of chocolate and a definite coffee bitterness. The mouthfeel is slightly oily and lightly carbonated. The bitter coffee taste is slightly stronger than I would like. An occasional beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2005 21:47:03 | More by LucaBrasi

GRG1313

California

3.03/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Very dark in glass; big bubble medium tan head that stays.

Light, unassertive dark chocolate nose that is simple with no complexities or layers.

Pleasant, though weak, simple brewed coffee with dark chocolate flavors in a medium to thin body with little character and no complexities.

Lasting coffee/chocolate finish, although simple-the finish is perhaps the only redeeming quality in this one; light fresh hop character is integrated. Pleasant in the most simple of ways; a "refreshing" porter if such a thing exists. Very bitter chocolate all around character but a relatively thin, somewhat weak and watery effort.

Another disappointing effort from Rogue in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2009 16:13:03 | More by GRG1313

LeRose

Massachusetts

3.03/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle purchased on recommendation of the beer dude in local store.

Appearance was nice - I like the reddish tints in the dark, compact head that persisted until the end. Regular old pint glass.

Aroma was OK - a little coffee/chocolate/caramel, but I didn't think it much different or better than other beers in the category.

To me, the taste was a disappointment. There was no date of any kind on the bottle, so I don't know if it was fresh or had been in stock a while. The taste seemed pretty generic and reminded me mostly of Guiness. Got the coffee/toffee/chocolate flavors but I wouldn't say it was outstanding. Did not think it had the complexity and mouthfeel of the porters I have tried.

Good, not great IMHO. I'd drink it again, certainly not bad tasting or anything. But I wouldn't go out of my way to find it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 19:51:20 | More by LeRose

jreitman

California

3/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had this on tap at the brewery and found it to be rather lacking in flavor. The beer had a pretty good carbonation which was apparent despite the fact that you could not see through the glass to the other side. Kind of surprised. Will try reviewing again at a later date.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2002 21:21:41 | More by jreitman

JayTheFinn

California

3/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Black as pitch, I expected Rogue's Mocha Porter to have a powerful smell and taste. The smell lacks. The mocha scent is there but it's more faint than I expected. The taste is a bit chalkier than expected too. It's almost more espresso than mocha. But it's not terrible. Generally smooth in the mouth, if a bit watery, at least more than I expected it to be. It's definitely drinkable, but nothing I'll rush out to get again. The overall theme of my review appears to be that my great expectations were not met.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2006 21:48:47 | More by JayTheFinn

Applesauce1

Virginia

3/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

I picked this up at the Pit Stop in Nelsonville, OH.

Appearance: dark, almost black with a 1/2" white head
Smell: nuts, coffee
Taste: seems a little watered down, a sweet coffee flavor, nutty
Mouthfeel: light to medium bodied
Drinkability: decent, didn't want another right away because the taste wasnt too impressive

I remember having this on-tap over the summer and it being a lot better; this is the first beer I've had from rogue that has not impressed me too much

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2006 04:54:50 | More by Applesauce1

schellsbeer

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Ok. As a teacher who has a love for the Porters and Stouts, I would give this a solid passing grade.

Very thick and smooth. As far as taste, average.

Pours a dark to almost black. Small head with very thin lacing.

Rogue is a good brewery with good beers. However, since they have become so popular, thier prices have gone sky high.

Don't get me wrong, this is a wonderful Porter but is there better? YES.

12 oz bottle which pours a dark brown to black color. Thin to no head. Average taste with some slight coffee overtones. Complex in tast...No. Could I drink more than one...Yes.

However, 2 is max for one night. I would be scrapping the fuzz off of my tongue in the morning if more than this were consumed.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2008 06:03:32 | More by schellsbeer

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

3/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: dark and well, non-descript.
Smell: kind of what I would expect in a mocha porter but watered down. Not bad, just not outstanding.
Taste: again, a watered down version of expectations.
Overall: grabbed a 6 hoping for something at least above average based on ratings and reviews. Frankly disappointed. Just not much happenin.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 00:38:28 | More by cindyjeffsmith

estlinska

Arkansas

3/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a shaker from the bottle. Deep brown color like french roast coffee with off-white head that dissipates pretty quickly. Creamy chocolate and roasted coffee on the nose. Smoky espresso taste with a bitterness that kind of sits on your tongue, out of place. Medium body with long bitter aftertaste. Felt like it was just missing...something I cant put a finger on.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 00:10:08 | More by estlinska

dsa7783

New Jersey

2.98/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

When you pay as much as you do for Rogue, you expect exceptional quality, and I really didn't find that for this sample... an average, run-of-the-mill porter in all respects, appearance was the best thing about this beer, an opaque color with a slight tan head... smell was somewhat bland and wasn't too appealing... taste was average in all respects, some burnt coffee and mocha present, but too bland to warrant a great review... wouldn't purchase this one again, copped it singly in a 12 oz... Dead Guy Ale was awesome, but this one wasn't up to par... not recommended but worth a try...

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2007 00:50:27 | More by dsa7783

AMoceri7

Florida

2.95/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Like a hella better Guinness Extra Stout

A: Looks great, guinness guinness guinna... you guessed it. Black with a brown hue to it. Translucent to say the least. Great head that dissipates through drinking and leaves a fine layer of lacing throughout.

S: Not much really. Far from being aromatic at all. Some hoppiness is noticeable but you might have a hard time guessing or believing it was a porter from the smell...that didnt really exist.

T: A bit weak. Smooth but weak. The coffee and chocolate flavors dont seep through until after it passes the back of the palate. The hops and what seems like roasted barley are the dominance here. But taking a weak approach to leadership they do. Nothing that hits the "o ya!" spot at all.

M: Maybe a little under carbed. Perfect for the style, extra stout all the way.

D: In all honesty, glad other patrons stole 2 from the 6 pack I was going to buy. Probably will be forcing my buddies to take it off my hands. Couldnt finish one.

O: Looking for a k(th)ick? This is probably not your go. But for its style, not too bad.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2008 04:16:31 | More by AMoceri7

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

2.95/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle poured into a Lakefront Brewery pint glass

Appearance- Jet black in color with a finger and a half of mocha head that dissipates into a thin layer and stays that way throughout.

Smell- Getting lots of chocolate with a pine hop thrown in.

Taste- Lots and lots of coffee with a very slight hint of unsweetened chocolate. A tart hophits the sides of your tounge on the front end and then the coffee swoops in for the finish.

Mouthfeel- Very very watery. Reminds me of a watered down iced black coffee.

Overall- Im not a fan. More coffee then mocha. No real sweetness for balance. Good for any black coffee lover.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 07:45:19 | More by BrownAleMale

danieelol

Australia

2.95/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Good dark colour and good lacing.

Don't get much out of this. Nose is green apple. Bit of that cardboard roast malt.

Taste is similarly nondescript. Perhaps a little bit of cidery coffee/chocolate.

Mouthfeel is thin. A little cidery.

Don't get much from this. Typical boring porter. No real chocolate character, despite the promises of the description.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 13:37:22 | More by danieelol

K9AleingPiss

Oklahoma

2.93/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The appearance is typical, unfortunately somewhat lifeless,not much head,but a good lace. The smell is the worst of this beer,almost dirt -like or old soiled laundry..lol. The taste is much better and no after taste. The malt is a bit bitter or the mocha not sure which,and its a little dry. I apologize, my taste buds just are not high on porters. It reminds me of a dry dark wine.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 01:08:40 | More by K9AleingPiss

Mustard

District of Columbia

2.9/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Presentation: 12oz. brown bottle; no "best by" or "bottled on" date; no ABV %; purchased as part of a ten beer "Winter Brew" (vel sim.) sampler pack for $14.99 from the Cost Plus on Westwood and Santa Monica.

Appearance: Completely opaque hue; thick, beautiful, cocoa-brown head; d-cup's worth of lace; fairly good head retention.

Aroma: Faintly of chocolate with hints of espresso and plum.

Taste: Assertive, disconcerting acidic twang upfront; thick, rolling, roasty bitterness in the finish; firm burnt grain flavor; faint, faint hint of residual sugars; medium bodied.

Notes: Disappointing; reminds me of bad coffee; found this to be simple, harsh and devoid of charm.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2003 05:57:33 | More by Mustard

BeefyMee

Connecticut

2.9/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Almost perfect. It's black (or nearly black) with a delicious looking head that coats the sides of the glass with its frothy goodness.

Smell: Chocolate and more chocolate.

Taste: OK so the chocolate is definitely featured here but it's not what I expected. It seems a little subdued while some other aspects become more and more distracting. There is a burnt and somewhat metallic taste at first that turns into a bit of a smoky flavor by the end. Drastic improvements could be made with a few fixes.

Mouthfeel: Red flag! It's thin, watery, and just kind of icky on the tongue.

Drinkability: Well, despite what I've said, it's not a bad beer and I could surely drink a few. Though it wouldn't be my first choice.

Beef Notes: Mocha what? Is this really a porter? I guess after their Hazelnut and Chocolate Stout I might be expecting too much from this one, but I just know there's a better beer here somewhere.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2004 02:10:17 | More by BeefyMee

twiggamortis420

Texas

2.88/5  rDev -26%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle pours a near-black color with a thick froth of tan head. Fades slow and leaves great lacing. If nothing else, Rogue usually masters the art of a good-looking beer.

Nose is roasty and cocoa with a surprising waft of smoke. Low on the fruit and has a decent amount of sweetness to it.

Taste is more muted than I expected, not quite sweet enough for me and lacks depth. Has some flashes of cocoa here and there, but nothing substantial to warrant the term 'Mocha'. Roastiness is decent, some coffee flavors come through. Mouthfeel is a bit thin and watery, seems a little one-dimensional with just a bit of dark malt really showing anything worthwhile. I am glad I finally found this as a single, I have been avoiding a full sixer for years due to the absurd price and my lack of love for the house Pacman yeast. That appears to have been wise, as this beer really does not do much for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2011 21:57:41 | More by twiggamortis420

Phelps

Arizona

2.85/5  rDev -26.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Looks: pours a complete black with a fuzzy head about a finger in thickness that collapses quickly to a splotchy, filmy layer with a thick, sticky ring of accompanying foam. Some horizontal tracks of sticky lace grip the sides as the beer descends.

Smells: a little disappointing. More chocolatey than mocha-esque in aroma. Some ritz crackers and a tiny bit of espresso emerge after a search. There's not much to it at all.

Tastes: oddly, the flavors do a switcheroo from the nose -- now there's lots of coffee, but no chocolate. Maybe a tiny bit of bitter dark chocolate, but again, it's hardly noticeable.

Feels: unimpressive. Medium, fuzzy carbonation and a light, watery body. Meh.

Drinks: It goes down easily enough, but with a name like mocha porter, I'd expect both more mocha and more porter. Too light on flavor, body and aroma. Fail, Rogue.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2010 07:59:18 | More by Phelps

Weizenmensch

Japan

2.85/5  rDev -26.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours nicely with a generous yellow tan head and black body, brown not red at the sides. Carbonation moderate, lacing plentiful.

First strong smell I get is chalky. Not sure why, but it's strong. Malty roast aroma, a hint of berry sweetness. Not overly complex, but pleasing.

Smooth in the mouth with a chaffy flavour and coffee aftertaste. A little sweet but nicely balanced. Not bad but doesn't stand out as a "mocha porter" - tastes like a decent homebrew stout. Mouthfeel is good though, not too heavy or slimy but not dry and quaffable either. I wouldn't have another of these though, because it's a bit boring - nice for a change but there isn't anything there that shocks you or really entices you to crack a second one. I'd follow this up with something zesty and tastebud-tickling, maybe a Hefeweizen or Wit.

Overall, decent, but could have been better.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2010 07:29:07 | More by Weizenmensch

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

2.85/5  rDev -26.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottle from kjyost, cheers. From notes.

A - Poured black with red edges, two fingers of brown, filmy head. Spotty lace and a finger of retention.

S - Chocolate was strong upon intial opening but calmed and moved to a touch of coffee and some roasted notes with a cocoa element too.

T - And here's that classic weak porter element! Bad cocoa powder, dusty, chalky, cola, and roasted notes.

M - Mild carbonation, medium body with a decent bitterness.

O/D - Not overly drinkable with that chalky, powdery feel. I can't understand the hype for low strength porters and stouts when they so commonly taste like this. Sorry, just didn't like it.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 01:42:13 | More by tbeckett

jujubeast6000

Texas

2.83/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Reviewed 9/21/2008 (bottle):

Pours a black dark dark brown colored body, with a tannish colored head, smallish but lasting. Has a sweet malty aroma, with some sweet coffeeness Maybe some dark fruit too. But overall, not a strong aroma. Chocolate, coffee taste. Malty.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2009 04:52:58 | More by jujubeast6000

Guinness4me

Florida

2.8/5  rDev -28%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I think they should have called this Espresso Porter. If this had caffeine, I would have a reason to drink it.

The smell was to me the standard, Rogue hoppiness that I've found in nearly all of their which beers I've tried. I personally don't like hoppiness in a porter, but I went with it.

The taste was too hoppy for my like as well, with only a hint of mocha and a blast of bitter coffee. My hopes of the aftertaste bringing this beer around were dashed as well.

The mouthfeel was okay, just seemed a little flat.

Drinkablilty for me would be tough since I didn't enjoy the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2004 04:54:41 | More by Guinness4me

Jekster

Indiana

2.8/5  rDev -28%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Appearance: This beer pours a deep dark brown that borders on black to the enter. There is only a slight light brown head that dissipates to a nice covering film.

Smell: This beer is a bit tight on the nose. It has a faint roasted aroma that hides behind some rich caramel and very slight chocolate notes.

Taste: This beer is forward with a roasted / burnt caramel flavor. It taste slightly of chard meat with, again, an extremely faint chocolate flavor to in the mid palette. The beer finishes with a slight bitter roast aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: This beer is rather medium light to light in body with a medium to medium high carbonation. This overall makes for a beer that seems a bit light for a porter.

Drinkability: The thin nature of this beer makes it easy to drink. I could quaff back quite a few of these with a meal as it tends to feel not overly heavy.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: For a porter I expect something with a more bold mouth feel and flavors. I was disappointed in the nose of this beer as well as its accompanying flavors. The light body, again, does not make this feel light a porter but instead more of a dark brown ale. I think the fact that this beer is dubbed a "Mocha" porter makes it even more disappointing due to the lack of chocolate flavors and aromas. I think this beer would pair nicely with spicy foods, but would not choose it as a stand alone beer to drink. Even with the food pairing at nearly $10.00 a six pack I would spend my money on other porters in the future.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2009 00:43:10 | More by Jekster