Smoked Porter - Stone Brewing Co.

Spider889

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On tap at Winking Lizard.

Thin black color with a dark sandy head. Left pretty good spotted lace all the way down.

There's chocolate malt and a little smoke in the nose, but just the bare minimum in order to be noticed. I don't like super smokey beers, but this was a little low on the smoke imo.

Dark and well roasted. There's a nice hop bitterness underlying it all (it is a Stone beer after all). I didn't get any smoke at all in the flavor. It drinks fairly light and it's very smooth. Dry on the finish.

Not my favorite porter, but it drinks easily so I'd have no problem finishing a bomber of this.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2010 17:16:49 | More by Spider889

Beerenauslese

California

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours dark mahogany, clear with just a little translucency, and a nice creamy head. Dissipates to a fine layer of foam, leaving good lacing on the glass.

Aromas of dark malt, vanilla, and chocolate milk.

Tastes follow the nose, this has dark malt, sweet vanilla, chocolate milk as well as some coffee and toffee, with some toast. Very complex and interesting.

Mouthfeel is light, and carbonation is prickly. Very refreshing.

This is an interesting, light, yet complexly flavored porter. A beer that is more about the taste than the alcohol. Very sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2010 03:39:57 | More by Beerenauslese

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Solid brown color; leaves some spotty lace.

Dark malty and touch of what reminds neighbours liquid smoke.

More cocoa than smoke in the flavor; rich bodied and smooth. The finish is like powdered hot chocolate. Good hop aftertaste, which I wasn't expecting. Overall, a very interesting porter on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

11-01-2010 19:40:08 | More by smcolw

mweso2000

Georgia

4.4/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I love Stone beers and I took a chance on this beer on the recommendation of my server. Black color with a tan head. Malty aroma wit with chocolate. Has a nice flavor of unsweetened chocolate, coffee and malt. Just the right amount of smokiness. Not overpowering at all. Slighly spicy, perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness. Full feel in mouth and drinks very smooth. Very flavorful. Highly recommend this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2010 18:02:24 | More by mweso2000

NODAK

Tennessee

3.65/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Mild roasted malt aroma...not much going on there.

Pours an opaque dark brown in the glass...as dark as any other porter I've had.

The taste is interesting, but maybe only because I haven't had a smoked beer before. Upfront there are some standard roasted malt flavors, though not too powerful. Then the smoke flavor comes in....sly, not with too much oomph, but it's definitely there and it leads the beer to its finish, where there's a mild but persistant hoppy bitterness to it. The bitterness has a way of lasting through the finish and well into the aftertaste for some time.

This porter isn't especially thick, nor is it especially malty, but it is quite unique. The malts seem a little restrained, but I suppose that's to let the smokiness through. Also, I have to give them credit for not making the smoke too powerful...if they had, that'd have ruined the beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2010 22:42:16 | More by NODAK

nickhiller

Texas

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: black, oily, thick tan head with great lacing.

S: spicy, roasted malt, iron, a hint of smoke.

T: smoky charred malt that tastes like liquid smoked pork ribs. Sweet malt suggests a milk stout or something sweeter, but it's sufficiently dry and smoky.

M: dry, frothy, light, well carbonated.

D: great porter, love the char and smoke.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2010 03:36:48 | More by nickhiller

drabmuh

Maryland

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Three smoked porters tasted side by side at Churchkey last night, regular, vanilla and chipotle. Served in a wine glass.

Beer is black / dark brown with a thin broken head of brown tiny bubbles that leaves minimal lacing on the glass. Carbonation is low, they all three looked exactly the same.

Aroma is mildly smoky and roasty, smells really nice.

Beer is medium bodied and has this mild sweetness to start and finishes out with a some nice roast and mild smoke. I really enjoyed this beer and the elaborations on the beer with the different flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2010 15:57:49 | More by drabmuh

begforme4484

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Nearly a black-brown with a big ol' tan head that clings to the glass very heavily.

Toffee and chocolate/dark chocolate definitely. Nice smokey smell too.

Huge chocolate flavor with a nice hop bitterness hidden in there. Lots of smoke, lingers a bit.

Very smooth, heavy bodied. Nice carbonation for a porter.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2010 16:08:36 | More by begforme4484

0beerguy0

California

4.08/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Poured a very dark brown, almost black color. Creamy tan head about two and a half fingers worth. This head left very nice lacing.

Aroma: Smoky with a little vanilla.

Taste: Smoked malt, vanilla, a hint of chocolate. I picked up a little coffee flavor at the end. I think it has a very well balanced range of flavors.

Mouth feel: Seemed a bit thin for a smoked porter, but defiantly not a bad mouth feel.

Drinkability: I love this beer. It's very smooth.

This is one of the best beers I have had in a while. This is defiantly my favorite beer from Stone hands down.

Serving type: on-tap

07-19-2010 20:50:11 | More by 0beerguy0

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from tap into a standard pint. Pours a dark dark brown with a one finger off white head. Maintains nice lacing throughout. The aroma was smoky with subtle malt notes. The flavor was of malt, nutty, and woody notes. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall all of the flavors in this brew were very subtle and tame. I actually liked this so you could taste the woody flavor imparted on it. The aroma was a little disappointing, but okay. Have very nice drinkability, but was not my favorite from Stone for sure. Still quite good though.

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2010 23:38:03 | More by thagr81us

blackc5

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a pint glass. Probably a bit over chilled (40-45F'ish)...

A - A quite dark brown, bordering on black. Served with minimal but nicely thick cream colored head. Quite good retention and decent lacing.

S - Lots of roasted malt, and smokey peat. Some heavily roasted coffee bean and burnt caramel. Molasses.

T - A fairly typical porter with a bit of extra smoke in the background. The smoke is fairly subdued, and I am not feeling exactly what it offers as it seems to distract the palate as much as anything. I do think this is a decent porter otherwise, but I was expecting more from Stone here.

M - Fairly smooth and balanced with a dry finish. Somewhat high carbonation.

D - All in all this is a decent beer, but by no means one of the better porters I have tried. The smoke seems like a bit of a novelty to me.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2010 19:15:01 | More by blackc5

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from notes taken 4/9/10.

Served on draft into a pint glass. It appears a very dark brown color with a tan head that doesn't retain too well outside of a thin lace on top of the brew. Nose has a classic porter aroma with roasted malt coupled with what seems like Pete smoked malt dominating the back end. The taste of pete smoked malt also dominates the flavor that lingers through the long aftertaste. Medium feel and moderately carbonated. As it warms, more standards porter characteristics come through to win the fight of porter verse smoked malt. Flavors of bitter chocolate and coffee also come through in the nose. Pretty good with some citrus hops even evident in the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2010 15:10:22 | More by stakem

weatherdog

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Brixies in Brookfield Il, served in a shaker pint glass

It pours a very dark brown with a dense cream head. Medium to heavy lacing stuck to the glass sides

The nose has a medium level of dark smoked malts and behind that some nice chocolate smells.

The taste has a pretty typical porter flavors with some chocolate and coffee and then behind that the smoke starts, it's on the low to medium level. i personally prefer when a beer says its smoked for it to bring it and this is more of an approachable smoked beer.

About half way through the sip my mouth seems to dry out. i get this sometimes with some smoked beers. It's really wierd and it's like cottonmouth. It's not a terribly bad thing and pretty subtle but I'd prefer it wasn't there. I don't even have a clue as to what causes it. The carbonation level was too high as well.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2010 01:44:18 | More by weatherdog

mullenite

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Glassware - 10oz Nonic

Appearance - Ridiculously dark red in color with a tan cap for a head. My wife was drinking an Aprihop which has a nice red tinge and it didn't even compare to the depth of color in this one. The best way to describe it is blood red. The lacing on the glass is pretty much a solid wall.

Nose - Smells of barbecue smoke, chocolate and roasted malts. The smoke adds a really interesting meaty, pork-like note.

Taste - Where the smoke is somewhat strong in the nose, it is subtle in the taste, adding a nice accent to the dark kilned malts, similar to a nice smokey coffee.

Mouthfeel - Body is good but it is slightly over carbonated in my opinion, kind of takes away from the smoothness of the flavor profile.

Overall - Even with the higher than anticipated carbonation this is a hugely drinkable beer. Very nice clean and balanced flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2010 20:48:46 | More by mullenite

DmanGTR

New York

3.6/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Review from notes on Aug 27, 09 at the Old Toad.

A - mahogany brown, short lived off-white head, well laced. 4.0

S - roasted barley, coffee beans, hint of smoked ham, light cereal graininess. 3.5

T - immediate hit of chocolate malt, cocoa, and hop bitterness. Subtle smokiness in the finish of tobacco and smoked meat. 4.0

M - light in body for a porter and high carbonation. 3.0

D - quite drinkable although I'd probably stop after one. 3.0

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2010 04:46:44 | More by DmanGTR

sitarist

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours a deep root-beer brown not quite black. Nice 2 inch tan head that last awhile. Lots of lacing.

S- Smokey, but like a good bbq. There is chocolate and caramely nuts also. This is very nice.

T- The smoked malts are blended just right. Id say its like a smokey, malted, bitter sweet coco. Goes really good with food.

M- Medium body with a nice dose of carbonation. Works very well with the flavors. Big but refreshing.

D- The smoke isn't overpowering and works well with food. Every bite of breakfast left me taking another sip. Cant wait to have this with some bbq.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2010 04:24:26 | More by sitarist

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very dark brown with a nice, creamy head. The aroma is definitely dominated by the smoke, although it's not too overpowering. A bit of chocolate, wood, and miscellaneous roast. The smoke continues to come through in the taste atop the chocolate flavors from the nose, with a wee bit of coffee thrown in as well. Smooth and slightly dry.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2010 21:25:52 | More by Thorpe429

Onenote81

North Carolina

2.45/5  rDev -39.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had this on tap at the First Street Draught House in town. Came out a very dark black with some ruby highlights on the edges. Nice creamy tan head on top. Left beautiful sip rings. Smoke is surprisingly absent in the nose. I was expecting a smoky, roasted scent, but in its place was just some cocoa tones with a sweet finish.

Very creamy body on this beer. Carbonation level was low. Smooth. No smoke in the flavor either. What makes this smoked? This tastes like a regular porter to me. Some light coffee bitterness, mild chocolate flavors, and roasted malts on the finish. Sorry, but this was boring when I expected something a little more original.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2010 20:22:14 | More by Onenote81

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A classic in the smoked porter genre. Pours dark delicious brown. Aroma comes through, a little different, is that the burnt choco malt I smell over any hop character? Taste, hey, there's a massive amount of hops (Chinook?) for a porter. . . for anything really. Mouthfeel holds up, drinkability rated a little lower as I don't think i've ever had more than one in a night. But yet you always want to have one on any given day.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2009 01:36:15 | More by Beerandraiderfan

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.78/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Prime 16 into a shaker pint.

A: Black body shows a deep, clear ruby hue when held up to light; a dense tan head is only half an inch tall, but sticks around admirably and leaves a nigh-solid coating of lace. i'll forgive the small head since it was on tap (and I appreciate getting more actual beer), and declare this a great-looking beer.

S: Nothing but smoke at first; maybe some sweet maltiness on the tail end.

T: Far less smoky than the nose: more roasted malt (coffee) and dark fruity maltiness. Sticky sweet finish. The smoke is understated, and mainly appears at the outset. Quite complex and pretty tasty.

M: Sticky and medium-bodied with moderate carbonation.

D: It's fun that there's so much going on, but the sweetness keeps me from wanting to keep throwing this one back.

Notes: Solid, tasty brew, but it pales in comparison to a good rauchbier or a good porter, IMO. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would gladly have it again.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2009 00:41:01 | More by woosterbill

jlindros

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this back in September on tap at Allora in Marlborough, MA, but forgot to log it here. Just noticed it in my notes.

A: Almost pitch black with 2 finger rusty-brown head, served in a flute glass.

N: Nose of roasted malts, slight chocolate, toffee, and some smoked malt.

T: Creamy and roasty with chocolate milk taste. Semi smokey but not overpowering. Semi sweet and a little syrupy, also adds some earthy roasted flavors.

M: Semi thick with decent carbonation and a little syrupy and creamy.

F: Pretty bitter on the finish, which also adds some dark fruits, and slight stouty bitter flavors. A little more lingering smoke but not much, and followed with some light alcohol spice.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2009 15:12:53 | More by jlindros

capra12

New York

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed solo.

Appearance: deep and dark brown with little head

Smell: roasted coffee and powdered dark chocolate.

Taste: opens with a mild coffee bitter as a smoky and coffee bitter/ sour comes in as a mild malt profile finishes the sip leaving a mildly smoky coffee bitter.

Moutfeel: light bodied and rather dry. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: I would have this again and recommend this to someone who enjoys a smoky porter that have a rich coffee bitter/ sour in the middle to end.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2009 20:44:18 | More by capra12

nuttyviking

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This Porter is well done, beautiful dark brown to black, head has a smokey vanilla look. Aroma is exceptional with a smokey coffee offering. The taste comes on strong with the roasted grains and malts, you think that the flavor is going to be overwhelming, but instead is fades into a wanting for more, very clean finish.
Overall a very good Smoked Porter, just what you come to expect from Stone

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2009 02:43:07 | More by nuttyviking

TheJollyHop

California

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this beer on draft at the Stone Brewery during the IRS vertical tasting. Pours black with multiple streams of bubbles;quarter inch of head.

Strong coffee aroma with a subtle fragrance of caramel (barley/malt?).

At first sip, a torrent of smokiness and bitterness attacks the palate. Dark chocolate is on deck, only to give way to some barley flavor. Just when you think that there are no more prominent flavors, the hoppy kick subsides and is replaced by a sweet malt aftertaste.

The body really shines in this beer. It looks deceivingly thin, however it turned out to be quite thick, bready and mouth-coating. This beer is definitely a great representation of a porter, and it is one that can be sipped on all afternoon.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2009 22:42:05 | More by TheJollyHop

DNICE555

Connecticut

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

On tap in a pint glass at Eli's

A - Dark brown, almost black body. Brownish head.

S - Dark roasted malt, chocolate, smokiness, coffee.

T - Toasted malts, coffee, and the smokiness all partying together. Smokey flavor is very nice. Adds to the brew without overpowering it.

M - Light, low carbonation. Pretty smooth. Smokiness gives it a thicker feeling. Adds a nice touch.

D - A nice session porter with some good flavor. Overall pretty light but not at the expense of taste.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2009 23:55:21 | More by DNICE555