Wasatch Polygamy Porter - Utah Brewers Cooperative

mjohn27603

Michigan

3/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I have to admit it takes guts for a name like this. It looks like a porter anyway. However, when I tasted it I didn't get much of a flavor. The only roasted quality I tasted seemed to be frrom the oatmeal stout I had in the same glass previously. It is quite thin and more like an easy drinking inoffensive pilsner. Not terrible but the apppearance suggests more of a character than the beer delivers. I would agree with the watery and thin comments. I didn't detect any hops flavor. I think the name and the bottle label have more personality than the beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2002 17:27:21 | More by mjohn27603

Sixpoint

New York

3/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Great name, bad beer. That was the impression from my sample.

Mine was brought back from Park City by Nancy and Joe. Thanks guys.

Sample poured a deep brown color; almost black but with ruby highlights. It poured with little to no head and left no signs of lacing.

The aroma was decent, had a faint whisper of burnt malts and a bit of toffee.

The taste was slightly stringent and annoying, left a lingering bitterness that did not find a balance.

The beer was medium bodied and would be rather drinkable despite some of the unpleasant flavors.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2005 03:51:35 | More by Sixpoint

xymyl

Arizona

3/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Red/blackish in color with a very thin brown head that quickly fades to almost nothing, leaving a ring around the glass and no lacing to speak of. Moderate carbonation is present.

Smell is very light but with distinct milky, coffee and caramel notes.

Taste is a basic light porter and pretty one-dimensional.

Easy to drink, and well made for what it is, but it doesn't really accomplish much. So why is it in my face? Because I'm in Utah and there is not much good drinking here (at 3.2) + I'm giving extra credit for the name and slogan.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2007 05:48:11 | More by xymyl

MaltyGoodness

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

12oz. bottle thanks to BigJTrucker

Pours a dark mahogany brown with a tiny tan head that vanishes. No real lacing to speak of.

Aroma is roasty with mild hints of cocoa and coffee. Smells quite nice.

Mild roasted taste upfront, but almost no trace of cocoa and coffee in the flavor. Rather bland from midway through the finish.

Very thin body, low carbonation.

Overall, a really weak attempt at a porter. Lacking in complexity and body, it's not offensive but is instantly forgettable.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2007 02:35:46 | More by MaltyGoodness

bboven

Texas

3/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dark opaque brown with jut a trace of head, barely any lacing.

Smells malty and VERY raisiny/plumlike.

Lots more raisin in the flavor along with a little tiny bit of roast. The bitterness is right-on but the flavor is a little weak.

Good carbonation, but pretty thin mouthfeel.

This is a good porter, but it just needs a little more in every area to be superb. I'd probably seek something else out if I wanted a great porter, but I'd buy it if it were my only dark option.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2007 22:08:54 | More by bboven

JMBSH

Colorado

3/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

First - thanks to my brother-in-law Bill for bringing me a bottle from Utah. OK then ...

A - A hard pour gets me a finger of light tan head that disappears quickly to just a very think coating on top. A very dark amber color.

S - Hints of coffe, licorice.

T - Malty with some sweetness. Molasses I think. After a few sips the malt seems a bit burnt/smoky.

M - Thin and light. The flavors just don't want to stay around in my mouth. It is alost as if my mouth forgets what it just tasted.

D - The low ABV and the easliy forgotten flavors makes drinking this easy but not memorable. Weak character and makes me think more of macro brews. The beer's labeling is it's biggest plus. Too bad the slogan "When one is just not enough" really describes the beer in the wrong way.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2008 20:44:22 | More by JMBSH

Bockrules

New Mexico

3/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

poured from the bottle (with raunchy even by non-mormon standards graphics) into a pint glass.

A - Pours a used-motor oil black with a 1-finger, tan head that doesn't look like it will be around long. And it's gone halfway down the glass... Leaves behind a few splotches of lacing here and there.

S - A little bit of chocolate and crystal malt a hint of raisins and earthy hops. Fairly weak nose.

T - Crystal malt upfront.The body is primarily driven by crystal and to a lesser extent chocolate malt, while earthy hops and dark fruit flavors are barely perceptible in the background and attempt to add some semblance of balance and interest. Almost seems like more crystal malt flavors come out as the beer passes over the back of the tongue which transitions to a slightly dry, coco aftertaste as advertised.

M - Medium bodied with plenty of carbonation that comes off feeling weak and watery.

I'd heard about this beer years ago while I was in undergrad in Ohio, so naturally I had to pick it up as I was travelling through Utah this summer. I wasn't anticipating this to be anything worth coming back for due to Utah's 4.0% abv law, but this was even worse than expected. The lackluster appearance and hardly perceptible nose aside, this beer was doomed by it's mouthfeel. Porters are supposed to have a robust and creamy body, this one seemed like someone mixed a glass of water in with it. I give the overall score a few bonus points because this brew is so iconic, but contrary to what the bottle suggests, I would stop after one.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 06:24:11 | More by Bockrules

Todd

Massachusetts

3.03/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Presentation: 12oz brown bottle with twist-off cap. No freshness date. Label looks like a little orgy of some kind going on (1 guy, 7 girls). And, I love the saying on the label "Why have just one?"

Appearance: Very dark, black with mahogony/ruby hues. Head is an off-white, pillowing, foam with decent stick and retention.

Smell: Earthy, with chocolate and an almost milky aroma quality.

Taste: Very astringent, earthy and burnt up-front -- from the patent black malt. Mouthfeel is smooth & creamy while the body is light. Carbonation is tight, a bit fizzy. There's little to none on the sweetness front, in fact this beer is dry & crisp. Some chocolate pokes through, but it's faint. Hop flavour/bitterness is also faint, hidden amongst the assertive astringency. Finish is a bit dry, fairly clean.

Notes: It's just a porter. Basic, way too thin and it contains less alcohol than most traditional porters. But what do you expect from a state ruled by religion?

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2001 00:00:01 | More by Todd

HotterThanHell

Arizona

3.03/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Love the idea of a beer from Utah being called Polygamy anything, although I'm not sure how the people who run that state would feel.

Anyway, at first glance this is a beautiful dark red porter in the glass with a nice chocolate milk head that did dissapate a little quick.

The taste of chocolate malt is very mild, if fact you have to wait 5-6 seconds after you swallow to really taste anything. I could drink this porter but for a purist, this would not hold up.

A nice try, and not a bad brew, but not worth any extra effort either.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2007 05:18:26 | More by HotterThanHell

jpmclaug

South Carolina

3.03/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle into a pint glass

A - dark brown body with a small light brown head on top

S - Light notes of chocolate and dark malts. Smell's like a typical porter but not especially aromatic

T - Light notes of chocolate and dark malts again with a light hoppy presence. Not too sweet but really not too much going on in this at all. Pretty mediocre.

M - medium bodied, a bit thinner than your normal porter. Could use some beefing up

D - Easy drinking for sure. A decent porter but not a spectacular one. I wouldn't mind drinking this again but I don't see any reason to buy it.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2010 00:42:43 | More by jpmclaug

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.03/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A- pours dark brown with a small tan head with decent retention, no lacing.

S- tomato soup, smoky, cocoa powder, pretty mild overall.

T- mineral, toast, grass, herbal hop, cocoa powder, finishes very dry. Undertoned taste for a typical porter.

M- medium carbonation, very light body, slick, drinks more like an ale.

O- taking its style I to account, it's just too light for a porter, if I was in the mood for a porter, I wouldn't choose is one. It is however very drinkable and could be a good switch up as a session beer option. Interesting.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 02:58:02 | More by Treyliff

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.05/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had this porter at a beer bar while flying through Salt Lake and thought it was ok.
Poured on deep brown much like a Black Butte Porter with a small brown head. Nose was roasted malts. Taste was good but would not go out of my way to drink it again. Roasted mlats, espresso and chewy but if its on tap I wouldnt turn it down either.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2008 00:40:40 | More by barleywinefiend

zander4dawin

Texas

3.08/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance - Deep dark brown body with light mocha colored soapy head.

Smell - Mocha, coffee, toffe, with hop presences.

Taste - Really milky, comes off as a little watery.

Mouthfeel - Great drinkability, but at the cost of some of the classic rich porter taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 17:27:05 | More by zander4dawin

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.08/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz. poured into a Great Divide Shaped pint glass.

A - Pours a clear dark brown with 1 finger of khaki head that leaves specks of lacing behind.

S - Roasted malts, some metallic/mineral aromas, brown sugar, a little smoke as it warms.

T - Roasted malt, bakers chocolate, some watered down coffee. Grassy hops are vaguely present. Finishes nutty and dry with a tiny bit of sourness.

M - Light to medium body, smooth texture, soft carbonation.

An easy drinking Porter for sure. It's a little lackluster but could be a nice session.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 00:03:17 | More by StaveHooks

Oxymoron

Colorado

3.1/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

Ha, why have just one! A mostly dark color with a definite brown hue throughout. A little bit light for style. A soft off white head with ok retention and lacing throughout. Not much for lacing though.

The nose is limited overall. Some hints of malt but very limited. Some minor astringent notes with a slight ash tray type of aroma. There is some minor yeast as well, but overall the aroma is not really there.

The taste is light for a porter as well. Sure the ABV is low but minor malt notes with a light black roast taste the lingers into the finish. A bit watery overall. Some ash tray notes that lingers. Some minor diaceytl notes and a more noticeable yeast flavor as well.

The body is really lacking. A bit wispy, even with the alcohol by volume, would like more depth and body. Noticeable astringent notes that linger and leaves an acrid finish. Overall it's a boarder line a brown porter but a bit astringent for that style

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2009 16:47:29 | More by Oxymoron

Bajasith

California

3.1/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Picked up a sixer at Salt Lake City gas station during the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series event in Tooele.
Poured dark fading to reddish tint around the edges as the light filtered thru. Aroma of roasted malts and dark chocolate. Not as intense as other porters. Taste of burnt oak as the caramel smoothed the edges. Mouthfeel is a little thin, with moderate carbonation and a touch of creaminess with burnt undertones. Very drinkable and would make a nice session brew with a low ABV. Heard this porter has a better feel on tap. I will find out next time I am in SL.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 20:43:25 | More by Bajasith

mactrail

California

3.1/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A lot of dark and charred malt flavors. On the dry side, perhaps more like a stout, but a chuggable, thirst quenching brew in any case.

Quite a watery body. Modest foam on the dark brown beer with a reddish cast. Adequate carbonation in the mouth. Some bitterness in the aftertaste. Very faint malty sweetness followed by the hint of stale coffee and scorched grain. But all very pale.

There is not much of interest here. It reminds me of the dark lagers that were endemic to pizza places in the 1970s, like Falstaff and Michelob Dark.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 05:57:07 | More by mactrail

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.13/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This is beer is little over hyped in some beer books as it really is an ok porter with a thin mouthfeel. No real faults but not memorable either. The low ABV and the thin mouthfeel mean you can drink from the bottle like a Shiner Bock and not miss a lot.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2011 16:12:36 | More by canucklehead

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.13/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a dark brown color, with a light tan head. Lace is okay, retention was meh. To the light, it's a lighter brown/amber than it appears.

S - Aroma is pleasant, with nice chocolate, slight fruitiness, and a fairly pronounced coffee smell.

T - Taste is roasted, with a nice bit of coffee, and a little bit of chocolate.

M - This is lighter in body, and not very substantial. There's a light crispness about it, but it's clean and finishes smooth.

O - A pretty decent porter. Something I'd have on occasion when I'm not feeling monogamous. Get it? Ha! I'm hilarious.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 02:10:50 | More by EgadBananas

FosterJM

California

3.13/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

658th Review on BA
Bottle to Mug
12oz bottle

App- A medium amber brown with a one finger head that dissolves quickly and leaves a ring of bubbles around the glass. No cling or lace on this one.

Smell- A lot of burnt notes in this one with the malt taken over as well. A little damp wood with a little note of sugary espresso

Taste- The taste seems to follow the nose but with more of a pronounced bitter and burnt note. A softer lighter porter with a small touch of ABV behind it. Meant to be sessioned.

Mouth- About right for the style and ABV. A bit thin and med/high carbed.

Drink- 1st saw this last year in Richfield, UT and didnt want to buy a 6 pack. Glad I waited for a single. It was pretty decent for the style. Very low on flavor pop.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 02:01:01 | More by FosterJM

brewskifan55

Mississippi

3.13/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a snifter

A: Blackish with amber highlights. A tan, half finger head that leaves with the other wife. Moderate lacing.

S: Malt heavy, astringent. Lots of licorice.

T: Light expresso. Semi sweet chocolate. A dry finish.

M: Light to medium; frothy, watery.

O: Not too exciting. Too watered down. The least tasty porter I've tried. The novelty is cute, but the taste makes this Big Love beer a "one and done."

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 16:43:03 | More by brewskifan55

marc77

California

3.15/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Clear deep bister hue. Mountainous, uniform, dense, steadfast beige head leaves lace. Meager whiff of black patent upfront in aroma is ensued by non descript, vaguely floral hops. Trace caramel hints. Vapid in character aromawise. Flavorwise, the dominant malt character is dark lovibond crystal malt with a burnt black malt edge. Mellow, bittersweet dark chocolate presence. Intially obtrusive metallic twang fades as the beer breathes into a subtle earthy hop note. Nearly devoid of yeast esters, save an underwhelming, but complementary hint of prune. Moderate in hop bitterness, and well balanced with residual sweetness. Surprisingly dextrinous in mouthfeel considering the strength, and nearly velvety. Finishes sparse in flavor, with fleeting hints of acidic dark malts. A decent porter that would make a fine, albeit unremarkable session brew. Not at all a beer to be savored, though.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2004 01:56:14 | More by marc77

CRJMellor

Arkansas

3.15/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hyper clear light maroon with some brown swirls and a thin tan head. Leaves no appreciable residue or lace.
Aroma has a moderate amount of roasted and toasted malt aroma with a faint bit of caramel and nuts in the background. No real bittering present.
Flavors are pretty weak but some chocolate, roasted flavor and just a hint of grain are present. Pretty flacid flavor wise.
Mouthfeel is very thin and light, no real meat on the bone.
Drinkability is slightly above aveage but this one is more about marketing than anything.

Editor's note - had this one 4-5 years ago and thought it was a pretty good beer. amazing to try again after my palate has hit so many other great beers and see that is doesn't really stack up.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2005 18:52:57 | More by CRJMellor

Mora2000

Texas

3.15/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a medium to dark brown color with a tan head. The aroma is heavy on the chocolate and roasted malt with a little bit of dirt mixed in. Decent, but not as full flavored as I would have liked. The flavor is similar. I get a lot of bitter chocolate notes as well as some roasted malt. Overall, the beer is a little bit watery tasting. Thin to medium mouthfeel and low carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2011 04:13:51 | More by Mora2000

gford217

Georgia

3.15/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle from Phelps.

Pours very light for a porter, not surprisingly given the low ABV, with a deep copper body and a small beige head.

The aroma is lightly roasted caramel malts with faint chocolate and spent coffee beans. Pretty tame nose for a porter.

The taste is more of the same with lightly roasted coffee and caramel malts with a little chocolate and maybe some hops. The finish is dry, bitter and roasty.

The mouthfeel is light bodied and pretty watery for a porter.

This is an average porter, maybe a little below average for the style. It lacks the body and flavor of most solid porters. Not one to seek out.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 02:39:33 | More by gford217