Porkslap Pale Ale - Butternuts Beer & Ale

leannlovr

New York

4.72/5  rDev +46.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer was malty yet not syrupy. It had a slight hoppy finish which rounded it off nicely. It looked and smelled crisp and clean. The mouthfeel was light and not at all heavy or lingering. Overall a great beer for a session on just with dinner. I also have to mention the nice bouquet on the beer as well.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2010 03:58:56 | More by leannlovr

halxyz

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +40.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

If you've ever wished you could find a fresh American made bitter, this is a beer you should try.

Judging from other ratings this is a very misunderstood beer. It is not for American Pale Ale hopheads, but if you are looking for an English style bitter it's a beer you can love. The hops and the conditioning are restrained compared to most American pales, but why is that a bad thing? There is both balance and harmony in this beer. I recently had Porkslap from a cask and it was simply outstanding. From the can, I would highly recommend pouring to a glass to get the pleasure of its mouth feel. The added ginger made me dubious going in, but it is so restrained and complementary to the hop profile that folks didn't know there was ginger until told. I can be a hophead too, but this beer is not intended to compete with them and I for one am grateful for the alternsative.

Serving type: can

04-29-2008 12:58:02 | More by halxyz

nephlim

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +40.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I ran into a bud of mine while walking home. He said "check this beer out!", and broke off a can from the six pack. The pigs on the label are cute, and the orange can made me think of cream soda.

Onto the beer!

I poured it into a Schwelmer pils glass.

Deep bronze colour, and a nice thin white head.

It smells like a good pale ale; it reminded me of Sammy Smith, only lighter.

It tastes good. Light caramel, light toast notes, slightly bitter after taste, but in a good way.

The mouthfeel and drinkability are great.

This is a simple, tasty beer that just goes down well and is very easy to drink. Plus the can is just neat. Give it a try!

Serving type: can

03-02-2010 00:22:46 | More by nephlim

dogknot

New York

4.53/5  rDev +40.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer is doesn't have the complexity of some superior beers, BUT on the other hand it is unpretentious in its simple packaging and taste. Its balance and drinkability are porkslaps selling points. Taste is a great balance between the malt and hops with a slight spiciness, color is a cloudy light amber. Definitely a "best buy" type of beer, will buy it over and over again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2010 03:18:13 | More by dogknot

p0wn

New York

4.5/5  rDev +39.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

An exceptional session beer. Have never poured it, as it is in a bright orange can... some beers are for pouring, others are not. Has a ginger-ey type flavor, with a light pale ale taste.

A little thin, the mixture of malt and hops are very balanced, a distinct note of hops at the end.

Perfect for your friends who usually only drink macros, as it has a bold yet not overpowering flavor.

Serving type: can

01-18-2008 20:07:31 | More by p0wn

jneiswender

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +39.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Poured out of a 12oz can into a pint glass. Served cold.

A-amber body, off-white thick head

S-buttery, fruity scent

T-buttery front, sweet, grainy some hop at the end.

M-medium and well carbonated

D-this beer really has turned me on to canned beer again. Incredibly drinkable. I found myself really drinking this over and over. I will drink this again.

Serving type: can

04-23-2010 15:33:07 | More by jneiswender

bpw28

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +38.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This can looks awesome. Some might think these two pigs belly bumping on the front is cheezy, but who doesn't want to drink a beer that has two hogs belly bumping on the front because they are so excited about the brew inside?

Look: Nice three finger bone white head,Soap bubble head with pretty good retention, Slightly hazy copper color ( about a 13 SRM), lacing is good, bubbles slowly float to the top.

Smell: Sticky sweet smelling malt, funk (not a bad one at all, it is a "farmhouse" ale style), grassy/hay/grain/light barn smell (not bad), bit of pine, wet wood (like after a rain storm in the woods), slightly fruity smelling like orange oil, peppery, leathery cigar smoke (like your old man's leather jacket that he'd wear smoking cigars on the porch. Not bad at all.)

Taste: Hm, wow. Slightly sweet malt, grass, yeasty, oaky, grains, funk (still the good funk), peppery, peach (that after a peach taste) slight cream kind of taste, light hop back bone that finishes piney. The body is the only thing that is a let down. Its light, not seriously light, but enough to be noticed.

Final Thoughts: I really like this. The only thing it lacks for me is more body. It's exactly what it seems to claim to be and does it well. It's a pale ale with a farmhouse twist. I was worried they might under do or over do the "farmhouse funk", but its perfect. I love beers like this, where the nose brings great thoughts and memories. I really love funky beers. Though I can see how this beer might not be for everyone, Butternuts did a fine job on this one.

Serving type: can

07-26-2011 01:02:07 | More by bpw28

JayS2629

Alabama

4.25/5  rDev +32%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This was absolutely amber. Quite dark for a pale ale. Still, nice clarity, a two finger head with descent retention and rings of sticky lace rings.

The aroma is a nice citrus hops on a caramel backbone. Simple, balanced. Orange peel and grapefruit.

The flavor is nicely balanced with a clean, bready bottom and a touch of caramel with orange rind, grapefruit and lemon zest.

Crisp, refreshing, easy drinking

Very nice, drinkable session beer.

Serving type: can

01-16-2012 18:02:24 | More by JayS2629

adamette

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +31.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I was so excited to find a six pack of this at Wegman's in Lakewood, NY 8 29 09. Consumed 8 30 09 at my brother's house near Chautaqua Institute just down the road. Six pack was priced at just under $10.

A Light caramel opaque body under a brief, light brown head. Extra credit for the great label that pretty much inspired me to buy this beer. 4.5

S Light hops, malt. Solid Pale Ale smell. 4.0

T Kind of basic pale ale with some hops but in good balance with a moderate light roasted malt. Very nice. 4.0

M Moderate to light and appropriate to style. 4.0

D The best feature of this beer. My pint was gone before I knew it. 5.0

Notes: I freely admit that I bought this in part due to the excellent label on the can. Every time that I look at it I laugh.

Serving type: can

09-05-2009 01:45:29 | More by adamette

kmpitz2

Tennessee

4.08/5  rDev +26.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz can purchased at the brewery. Before getting into the review, I want to say how inviting Chuck was when we visited. There is no tap room or public area, but we were invited in to look around, sample the beers, and chat. It was the best part of our tour of the beer to be found around Cooperstown.

The brew pours a solid iced tea color with a full coat of whitish head over top that breaks in the middle to a patchy coat. Clarity is very nice and there is a solid cascade of bubbles in the brew. The nose is slightly toasty and bready, with spicy ginger. There is a kiss of earthy hop in there as well. Taking a sip, I find the bready and toasted malt character hits up front, moves to a ginger sweet and spice and rounds out nicely at the end with a solid bitterness and a very nice earth hop. There is good flow between the flavor components, keeping everything detectable while still having blending of them at the transitions. Mouthfeel is moderate with a moderate carbonation; pretty well where I expected it. Overall, I really enjoy this brew. The first can was enjoyed while tossing some boccie balls around our campsite, and really was nice on a warm summer day. It is simple, but not boring.

Serving type: can

07-28-2007 22:50:02 | More by kmpitz2

IBUnit63

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +26.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From can into Alpine mug...

Poyurs a cloudy apple cider brown with ample carbonation and a wispy thin head that comes and goes, leaving decent lacing.

Nice bance of boiled malt with apples and cinnamon with a fait complement of mild piney hops.

Clean and austere malt profile, resembling a lighter pale ale, with a fair amount of English-style grassy and piney hoppiness. Cinnamon emerges with warmth. Quite enjoyable.

Very soothing mouthfeel-hearty, woody, rustic and full. Freshness and carbonation give this one some nice ups.

This drinks lightly and quickly. Calorie count only 150 per the can. Another very enjoyable effort from the gentlemen down Route 80 in the 607.

Serving type: can

10-08-2008 12:39:59 | More by IBUnit63

currysage1

Maine

4.08/5  rDev +26.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a slightly hazy grade B maple syrup, one finger off white head sinks quickly down to a spotty covering.

Smell is of dried orange peel, green hay, and light pine.

Tastes like alfalfa mixed with toasted oats, orange peel bitterness, and some slight pine freshness.

Mouthfeel isn't bad at all, great body with not too much slickness, carbonation is refreshing but not overpowering. Solid drinkability and feel for an APA.

Serving type: can

10-11-2008 06:11:04 | More by currysage1

Finn

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +26.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a hazy dark orange. Aroma is caramel, ginger, and reminds me of an english pale. Butterscotchy aroma as well. A bit of ginger hits the tongue first, with a touch of caramel malts. Body is a tad thin with moderate carboantion. Overall a great session beer that is very tasty when fresh.

Serving type: can

10-29-2010 01:01:03 | More by Finn

webbcreative

Oklahoma

4.08/5  rDev +26.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Thanks to Rhettroactive for the awesome can!

Pours a dark honey color with a white 1.5 finger head. minimal lace that is quickly fleeting.

S= getting a lot of the ginger aromas. Not picking up much hops, as in I would never guess this to be a pale ale blindly.

Taste = again getting more sweet malt, with the ginger quickly there, but its not overdone for my tastes, I actually quite enjoy this unexpected twist. Not hoppy at all. Picking up some fruit flavors as well but I honestly cannot discern what they are, but I get some citrus.

Mouthfeel= medium, pretty much typical for a pale ale.

Overall, this is a really good beer, not that I would have pegged it for a pale ale, but styles be damned - this is a great session beer that I wish I had more access too.

Serving type: can

02-24-2011 03:27:04 | More by webbcreative

rjplumer

Rhode Island

4.08/5  rDev +26.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours to a nice two finger head with nice retention. A citrus hop aroma that grabs you right away. A mild hazy amber color. Has a little bitterness that gives way to a tart and clean finish. Refreshing and very drinkable. Very well done and would love to have this one again.

Serving type: can

01-15-2012 05:06:10 | More by rjplumer

chinchill

South Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz can served in standard pint glass.

A - nice copper color with light tan head. Head is short-lived but leaves partial top coat and side lacing.

S - sweet floral malt with mild hops

T - Crisp, smooth and malty. Brewery reports that this "beer is flavored with crystal hop and a touch of fresh ginger"; the ginger (thankfully?) is just barely detectable. Citrus and caramel notes are more obvious. Nice progression of tastes and lingering finish. Nearly a 4.5

M - a bit light. Well carbonated.

An interesting and malty but well-ballanced PA "brewed with 2 row N. American barley and English crystal malt".

Serving type: can

11-28-2010 23:29:34 | More by chinchill

samie85

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes; originally one hour ago.

A-Pours a clear orange color with two fingers of white head head.

S- A nice tropical assortment of mango, a little pineapple, some pine and a nice light caramel malt.

T-Follows the nose with mango, pineapple and that nice light caramel malt backbone.

M-Smooth, medium bodied with low carbonation and a nice slick feel.

D-Incredibly drinkable and I like the low ABV; if this beer was regularly available to me, it would be a regular in my fridge.

Serving type: can

10-08-2011 21:02:38 | More by samie85

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +24.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a cloudy deep amber color with modest white creamy head.
Smell is light with modest amounts of sweet malt and citrusy malt.
Taste also shows some lught malt combined with a light but tasty hop presence.
The hops show themselves more at the finish and present a refreshing ending to this beer.
Very nice to drink, Would be good to session.

Serving type: can

01-01-2008 20:37:05 | More by tgbljb

tugdriver7

Maryland

4/5  rDev +24.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had to buy this can. The artwork alone was worth the purchase. But decent pale ale from a can? Yes. It was great. And quite fresh tasting (thanks to the can). Hazy orange with a nice tan bubbly head. Soft carbonation that brought a soft malty smell to the nose. Flavor was fairly one dimensional, but well balanced with a subtle hops bitterness in the finish.

Serving type: can

01-29-2010 23:51:33 | More by tugdriver7

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +24.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

had a couple of new cans from butternuts after work. really solid on both accounts and this was the second of the two. poured cold into a pint this one was consumed on 10/11/2010.

the pour was a nice medium to light amber color with a thick head of white that sat on top throughout the entire session, nice lacing down the glass.

aroma is light, nice little notes of citrus, hints of apple, pears, light grasses and a smooth, even flavor or light fruity yeast. as i take the first sip i get the clean, crisp flavor right off the bat. really nicely done. clean and light hops, a good strain of yeast and very nice carbonation all lead to a solid pale.

overall nicely done. i liked the hefe better, but this was very, very well done.

Serving type: can

10-13-2010 01:51:52 | More by mikesgroove

doopydoogle

Tennessee

4/5  rDev +24.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. can into a nice beer glass:

A - Rich, creamy head that lingered to the last sip. Rich amber color with vibrant carbonation.

S - Floral and fruity with a nice malt essence. Slight pineapple and citrus complemented by some piney notes.

T - Light, crisp, clean, with a good balance between a good malt profile and a slight hop bitterness. There is a slightly resinous pine flavor that lingers, and the finish leaves a pleasant bitter that resolves into an enjoyable malt that sticks around. A unique taste that might be the result of the use of a small amount of ginger in the recipe.

M - A little watery for the style, but not objectionable. Surprising given the rich head and vibrant carbonation. Maybe a result of canning?

O - An intensely sessionable ale. Unique for the style, not overly hoppy at all, closer to a traditional ESB without the diacetyl funkiness. A good beer, imminently drinkable, and with a very unique character.

Serving type: can

08-31-2011 02:41:13 | More by doopydoogle

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Porkslap pours a slightly hazy, dull copper body beneath a short head of creamy white froth. The head retention is limited, and it soon drops to an average collar and whispy surface covering. Some nice patches of tiny sopts about the glass do redeem it a bit.

The nose is nicely hoppy (floral and somewhat leafy) over a caramelish, toasted malt base.

It's medium-light bodied and gently crisp in the mouth.

The flavor offers a solid combination of grainy, toasty, and caramelish malt; leafy, floral, piney, and mildly grassy hops; and bold bitterness. It finishes dry and lightly spicy with a touch of residual sweetish and toasty malt (and almost a kind of smokiness similar to the phenolics of a weizen yeast).

An enjoyable pale ale to be sure! I wish I had another one... I couldn't really get a grip on exactly what's going on. At first it seems quite simple, but once you look there are a lot of subtle nuances. Very nice!

Serving type: can

10-17-2006 02:44:34 | More by NeroFiddled

edskirk3

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Twelve ounce aluminum can depicting two cartoon pigs about to execute a Sumo bounce. The front features the words "Farmhouse ale" which is a little misleading.

Porkslap (a name I can't say I'm a fan of) pours a dark, slightly hazy amber with a respectable cream-colored head, initially a finger in thickness.

Aroma of floral hops, faint but nonetheless present, and toasted caramel malts. Not bad.

Nice balance of floral, herbal hop bitterness and toasted grains. Rather dry and grainy finish. Lingering hoppy bite.

The artwork on the can seems amateur to me, but it's the stuff inside that counts. Butternuts has made a respectable pale ale and they didn't overdo the hops. They know that sometimes less is more.

Serving type: can

03-19-2008 04:11:15 | More by edskirk3

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Porkslap pours a dark amber color with some nice peachy colors thrown in. It looks unfiltered as its rather dense looking and somewhat opaque. The head is a good size and pretty dense. Not bad right out of the can.

The smell is sweet orange and ginger. There is some grainy smells as well but mostly its a spicy ginger aroma that I am getting. Quite unique as ginger is not advertised anywhere on the can nor in the description.

A big sip and all I can say is this is a very easy drinking pale ale. Its got some maltiness up front, some citrusy hop bitterness on the tongue but overall its the nice subtle ginger spiciness that really gets me. Its such a nice touch and maybe some of you purists will think I am crazy, but I really like it. There are some unique flavors going on here and if you are looking for traditional pale ale flavor you'll find some of that but not all of that. I like it, a lot.

Porkslap really does its own thing and I commend Butternuts for that. It seems there is a fine line between being creative and being commended for it and being creative and being asked "why would you do that?". Ginger is a great addition to this beer, so don't be afraid. Try this one with an open mind.

As a canned pale ale with a low ABV this is definitely a great beer for a trip into the woods, down a river or just sitting around a campfire.

Serving type: can

08-27-2009 02:16:32 | More by indiapaleale

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another awesome canned beer up for review. Poured it into an oversized snifter for the hell of it. Kkkkksssttt. OOoh, the delicious sound of a can opening.

A: Delicious looking 1.5 finger head with frothy bubbles all over. A semi clear almost pig looking pale orange pinkish color gazes in at you. You size it up, thinking about how to attack it, but all you can think of is the two pigs doing a belly smack to each other on the label of the can, but now it's in your glass. A slight haze ices over as it frosts the outside of the glass. The color is almost as if the ground up pure pig and added it to the beer. The head leaves a thick lacing over the sides of the glass.

N: The nose is pure malt with a touch of pale hops. A delicious crystal malt aroma billows out, followed closely with some nice lightly paled hops. A slight fruit aroma, almost banana with a touch of yeast sneaks out through all the malt and pale hops. I also get some fresh wort aromas of brewing fresh beer, oh man I love that smell.

T: The taste starts with some sweet brown sugar and malt flavors. I get some strange malt flavors I can't put a finger on. Wow this is really different. A slight pale hop flavor comes through with some earthy tones and slight spice, but its really just a strange malt flavor. Perhaps they grind up some pork bones and... er nevermind. Some slight crystal malt flavors also smash your mouth, and add a touch of fruit and yeast. I get some juicy hop flavors too, somewhat surprisingly. I still get some fresh wort flavors that leave an unfermented beer dream in your mouth, of what could be to come, but it is already there, so it adds the character of both awesome worlds.

M: Semi thick and semi thin, lots of carbonation, and pretty refreshing.

F: Finishes pretty bitter actually. It bitters up pretty well on the finish, and dries off quite a bit too. A nice earthy hop flavor really shines through the finish as it dries, and a slight citrus flavor also touches itself. The heavy carbonation really pulls off the tongue and lets you ready your mouth for more. A malty earthy toasty flavor keeps the great beer flavor going for minutes after the swallow, with lots of help from the bittering hops of course.

Serving type: can

11-11-2009 03:28:36 | More by jlindros