Contorter - Ale Asylum

emerge077

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was released recently, this bottle came directly from Madison a few weeks ago. Stubby bottle with a tribal tattoo on it, reminds me of Hot Topic.

Pours a ruddy brownish-black, and ends up opaque in the glass. It leaves a thin ring around the glass. Initial tan head dwindles down to a bare skim. Not much creaminess to the head, or much head at all.

Smells sweet like brown sugar with some smoky roastiness.

Dry roast malty flavors, some mild smoke, barley husks, and cinnamon (?) sweet and savory. Light feel to it, mild bitterness, definitely works well for session purposes.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2008 00:05:11 | More by emerge077

lisaczech

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

06-16-2013 23:07:10 | More by lisaczech

DemoniChris

Nebraska

4/5  rDev +5.8%

06-16-2013 21:19:54 | More by DemoniChris

superfriend

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

06-11-2013 19:43:08 | More by superfriend

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

3.94/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A - Pours pitch black, finger of head with little retention and no real lacing.

S - Milk chocolate, sweet cocoa, hints of burnt toast and toasted grains.

T - Identical to the nose, the sweet cocoa and milk chocolate dominate the palette, the burnt toast and toasted grains come through on the finish. Dark cocoa notes linger alongside a sugary sweetness.

M - Medium bodied, a tad prickly and a touch of dryness.

O - A pleasant porter and easily sessioned. More on the sweeter side, but not offensive. A surprisingly tasty brew and I'm looking forward to see what else this brewery has to offer.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 03:05:26 | More by andrenaline

Woodman70

Wisconsin

3.25/5  rDev -14%

06-01-2013 02:34:23 | More by Woodman70

tyleeis

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-29-2013 01:01:51 | More by tyleeis

chadkersey3000

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-28-2013 05:00:34 | More by chadkersey3000

pk18

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

05-27-2013 22:28:50 | More by pk18

okmote

Ohio

4/5  rDev +5.8%

04-26-2013 00:40:14 | More by okmote

jreindl

Wisconsin

3.25/5  rDev -14%

04-20-2013 13:35:21 | More by jreindl

Fr0stb1te

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +5.8%

04-15-2013 12:02:29 | More by Fr0stb1te

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.09/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle poured into a Nonic.
4.8% ABV, no date.

A - With large "glugs", the beer was poured with vigor creating a small tan head that fades to a foamy ring of suds below wispy lacing. Clear reddish-brown highlights show some clarity through this very dark porter.

S - Contorter's aroma immediately bursts fourth with really roasted, almost burnt qualities followed by bitter baker's chocolate, dry cocoa, and a light toffee and coffee-bean nose. While the aroma is assertive, it's also got a nice "light" feel that trails off with earthy notes of dirt and English hops.

T - Roasted black and chocolate malts give Contorter a strong flavor presence of dry cocoa and crumbly bitter chocolate while also bittering it significantly on the finish. Light, watered down coffee flavors are present as well but underwhelming when set next to the roasted malt.

M - Crisp and well-carbonated this medium-bodied porter surprisingly has a very smooth feel for it's carbonation level, finishing a touch dry and fairly bitter from the roasted malts.

O - Contorter Porter is one of those sinister-looking dark beers that's no where near as aggressive as it first appears. It might not be immediately approachable, but this is a dark beer that's got good flavor without really packing a wallop or "being too thick". It's an easy-drinking porter that would fit right in with the English session ales; a few at your favorite pub wouldn't be a bad start to the night!

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 00:48:47 | More by BeerFMAndy

funkel81

California

3.25/5  rDev -14%

04-01-2013 17:40:11 | More by funkel81

kaydee

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +5.8%

04-01-2013 02:49:09 | More by kaydee

Localdrinklax

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

03-26-2013 18:06:52 | More by Localdrinklax

Stevedore

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Bell's tulip and quaffed today, 3/24/13

Aroma: Not a bad smelling beer. I smell a good bit of roast barley- coffee, caramel, even a bit of burnt sugar. (4)

Colour: Dark cola colour, comes with a 1cm offwhite head that dissipates quickly. No lacing to speak of. Pretty average for the porter style; I think if it were a slightly thicker, stickier beer it would help improve the appearance. (3)

Flavour: Actually its strength. Like the nose, it's got that roast barley character especially at the end. I get a little smokiness and burnt sugar to go along with hints of coffee. As it warms up, that roast barley character which I love out of porters and stouts comes out more at the end. I really enjoyed this aspect of the beer. (4)

Mouthfeel: It actually feels a bit creamy but unfortunately its rather thin-bodied. A bit disappointing but certainly doesn't make it a bad beer- just average. Solid carbonation, and the aftertaste of roast malt character is nice and thick and doesn't go away. I guess since its thin-bodied, its really drinkable. (3)

Overall: What it lacks in appearance and mouthfeel (it's basically a thin bodied porter), it makes up to a certain extent in flavour and nose- two rather related things. Not the most complex porter, but it is tasty and smells good despite having a watery, thin body. I liked its drinkability and flavours, but it does have a lot of room for improvement. (4)

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 00:30:25 | More by Stevedore

Sparky44

Illinois

4/5  rDev +5.8%

03-24-2013 21:05:31 | More by Sparky44

slavall

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

03-22-2013 01:29:21 | More by slavall

One

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

03-21-2013 16:48:21 | More by One

wmobley

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +5.8%

03-14-2013 19:27:53 | More by wmobley

deebo

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from bottle to pint glass this brew is topped with a finger fo tan small bubbled head. Weak retention but nice lacing. Dark brown with ruby highlights when held to light. Aromas of rich malt, chocolate, toasted without being burnt at all. Very nice aroma. Upfront taste is nice, chocolately malt with a silky mouthfeel. However this is a bit shortlived as the end note is slightly carbonic and lacks a malty full-bodied finish. Easy to drink with decent flavor. A solid sessionable english style porter that lacks depth but makes up for it in drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 02:18:25 | More by deebo

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

03-10-2013 20:27:29 | More by spycow

sacrelicio

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

03-06-2013 05:35:36 | More by sacrelicio

dhannes

Wisconsin

3.48/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap at the brewery in a standard pint glass.

A=No head whatsoever...just a very dark brown surface. Beer itself greyish brown and murky...less appealing than most.

S=First two whiffs produced no aroma whatsoever. Finally, a faint aroma of burnt toast emerged.

T=Initially, I enjoyed this beer...hints of bitter cocoa, burnt toast, and some undefined sweetness. Second half was dominated by the burnt toast taste.

M=Less body than most porters...a bit watery. Plus it seemed overly carbonated.

O=A decent session beer and actually one of the better porters from Wisconsin...still, I maintain, Wisconsin brewers are the absolute worst at making a great porter.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2013 19:30:02 | More by dhannes