Smoked Porter - Stone Brewing Co.

jtw5877

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is everything I look for in a porter, elements of chocolate, caramel, coffee, and a nice smoked malt taste. It pours a nice deep brown with nice amount of head. Smooth rich taste leaves me wishing I had another.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2002 13:53:52 | More by jtw5877

Gusler

Arizona

4.72/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

As deep as garnet gets, before we call it brown, the head is "Chocolate", frothy, long lasting; the lace clings in thick sheets till the very bottom of the glass. Nose is deep malt, lightly smoked, sweet, caramel, and even a hint of coffee. Front is sweet malt, the top is medium to full, the finish is of course "Smokey", nicely hopped, light to moderate carbonation, dry, and a nice long lasting bitter after taste. Call me a "Stone-o-phile", but I like the over the top hops, high ABV, big malts and that robustness, only found in a few brewers beers, such as "Alesmith".

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2002 17:07:34 | More by Gusler

sinistersteve

Oregon

3.88/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a deep dark color with a thick head. I was a bit disappointed with lack of smoke in the aroma. Being a Stone brew, I expected to be overwhelmed with a smokey aroma that would bring back memories of camping. With the lack in aroma, it is made up for in taste. You can taste the smoke, but it doesn't overwhelm you. This is probably the worst Stone brew I've had, but that doesn't make this a bad beer. I wouldn't have any problems buying this beer again. I just expected more out of this beer coming from a great brewer like Stone.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2002 20:45:29 | More by sinistersteve

hyuga

North Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Almost completely opaque. Light brown head composed of tiny bubbles that stays pretty well. Quite a bit in the nose, lots of smoked peaty malt, chocolate, and caramel backed by leafy hops. As for the taste, the expected smoked grain. This is most apparent with retro-olfaction, but is definitely a big presence throughout. Lots of roasted grain and dark chocolate, very bittersweet up front. Leafy and slightly rind-like hops come out more in the back, but are subtle and balance perfectly with the malt. Very slight fruitiness, plum-like. Perfectly smooth and creamy mouthfeel. I'm a big fan of smoked beers, and this one is amazing. I am very impressed, I love this beer. I bow to the great gargoyle.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2002 13:02:59 | More by hyuga

mzwolinski

California

4.38/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very nice robust porter. Pours almost completely opaque, even backlit, though ominous, blood-red highlights are perceptible. Thin, creamy head persists throughout the 22 oz drink.

The aroma, true to style, smells of roasted coffee and perhaps charcoal.

Taste is slightly chocolately, though roasted grain dominates. Slight smokey flavor from their pete-smoked malt is detectable throughout.

Very full-bodied ale, with a slightly sweet finish. This is a very drinkable brew -- it was difficult for me to wait for the beer to warm up a bit, but well worth it! Tastes best when just slightly cool.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2002 22:14:23 | More by mzwolinski

Brent

Kentucky

2.95/5  rDev -27%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Up to now, I've liked every Stone beer I've had the chance to try. This was almost true for the Smoked Porter, but it is the defining character, the smoke, that turned me off. Beautiful to behold in the glass. The nose was a surprising sweet, thin chocolate. Up front, a very nice robust porter. Then the smoke flavor emerged at the end, and I found it to be a disconcerting stale bar-smoke like flavor, rather than a peat or wood smoke. Had this been a straight porter, I think I would have loved it.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2002 07:12:52 | More by Brent

Dogbrick

Ohio

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

Another great beer from Stone. This one is not as edgy as Arrogant Bastard but still unique. Very dark color with a thin and lasting beige head. The aroma is smokey of course. Medium body, and the smoked flavor was not overpowering and complemented the malt perfectly. Slight bitter chocolate in the aftertaste. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2002 08:13:00 | More by Dogbrick

marc77

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Virtually black in hue, w/ deep garnet aorund the rim when held to light. Persistant beige head leaves loose lace. Chocolate malt, carob, butterscotch, dark caramel and smooth black patent comprise the aroma, while smokey peated malt is surprisingly subdued. Quite appetizing aromawise. The malt profile is very smooth & lacks any black patent sharpness, allowing mellow chocolate and dark caramel malt to provide a flavorful base sweetness. Hop bitterness, although secondary, counters this sweetness well, lending an overall cleanly bittersweet chocolate profile. The use of peated malt is conservative but adequate enough to add a pleasant smokey undertone. Moderately bodied, w/ a dextrinous and enjoyable mouthfeel. Finishes very clean, w/ chocolate flavors abruptly ending but light peat smoke briefly lingering. This is a tasty, well balanced and highly drinkable porter-- It's perhaps the most subtle brew by Stone I've had. Agreeably mellow.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2002 05:09:56 | More by marc77

Murph

Arizona

4.47/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours almost as black as black can be, only the barest hints of light getting around the edge. The brew has a nice brown head on it to start but once that fades there is no lace at all and no more head. Huge roasted coffee, chocolate, and smoke aromas dominate. Starts off like a straight up porter with some nice bitter coffee and roasted malt flavors before fading into a bittersweet dark chocolate taste. The porter taste fades and the beer appears to be done but then a huge smoked quality comes in and slaps you in the face. Smooth and creamy, this is one seriously drinkable beer. Damn these guys know what they are doing. A big thanks to Greg and Co. for making these beers.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2002 15:03:52 | More by Murph

cokes

Wisconsin

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

Throws a glass of near black liquid. When held to light, it is realized that it the darkest shade of ruby possible. Crystal clear too. Light brown head settles out quickly.
Delicious nose of chocolate, charcoal and faint wood smoke. A faint fruity sweetness resides here as well.
Taste is heavy on the rich dark maltiness associated with porters. Lots of expresso and dark chocolate tones with some malty sweetness. Smoke plays a backup role. It comes in towards the finsh and mingles with the hops to turn this one pleasingly bitter with charcoal dominating the aftertaste.
Comparing this to other (good) smoked beers I have tried, the smoke flavor does not seem quite as integrated. Almost seems like an afterthought and at times seems sort of stale. Not a major complaint, as it is still pretty tasty.
Body is medium. Solid foundation, but does not necessarily dazzle the mouth.
I do like this beer quite a bit, but it pales in comparison to the Alaskan Smoked Porter....but then again, few beers reach those heights in my eyes.

Good stuff, Bighuge. Thanks alot!

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2002 23:30:17 | More by cokes

sponberg

New York

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

The aroma has an ironlike smokiness to it, with hints of citrusy hop. Dark dark brown.

The flavors in some order (changes sip to sip) - citrus hop; an oiliness similar to that found in an oatmeal stout; smoky maltiness; chocolatey maltiness; roasted coffee maltiness. Take the late, lamented Big Indian Porter, subtract some of the malt, add in hops & smoke, and you have this beer. This is NOT a bad thing at all. The finish is very nice - a little sweet, with some smoky-roasty-dry malt overtones.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2002 10:59:09 | More by sponberg

mickeymac

California

3.95/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

It's close to black with a surprisinlgly strong tan head. Even after it warmed, it gave off only a slight smell, with the smoke just barely detectable. The smoke flavor is also subtle with lots of nice roasty malt swimming around. Drinking it is a bit like chewing on a little bit of black patent and chocolate malt.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2002 21:08:46 | More by mickeymac

aracauna

Georgia

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

It's a cross between the smell of your clothes the morning after you stayed up late staring into the campfire and stale cigarette smoke. That's the dominate aspect of the character, or at least the middle anyway. The beginning is more a good porter, warm and malty without crossing into stout territory. The ending is bitter hops with the lingering stale smoke. Actually, given the almost pitch black color and tan head of this beer, I'm surprised the malt doesn't play a stronger role in the flavor of this beer. This would be excellent with grilled pork or some of the smokier barbeque I've had.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2002 22:57:59 | More by aracauna

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4.03/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is the first smoked-style bier I've had in a while other than Schlenkerla... Quite good! Opaque, dark brown color, with a smooth tan head, and attractive lacework. Nose was smoky, malty and dry; reminiscent of Schlenkerla. Body was a degree or 2 less than medium, but mouthfeel was good otherwise. Good malt backbone, and the smokiness is not subtle, but just strong enough. Some other roasty-porter notes come through, and it finishes well on the dry side. All the Stones biers I've tried to date are quite good! Zum Wohl!!

overall: 4.1
appearance: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | mouthfeel: 4 | drinkability: 4

261

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2002 05:50:19 | More by Bierman9

ZAP

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Huge rocky head...great soft smoked aroma..very very dark burgandy...sweet on the buds with a smokey accent..not overbearing smokiness though(about right)..a bit sweet/syrupy mouthfeel...almost some java tones..very good but in the the same league as Alaskan Brewings' Smoked Porter.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2002 11:33:20 | More by ZAP

Wildman

Ohio

3.68/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The beer has a nice dark color to it when you pour, plus a nicely colored head to accent it. The smell is rather interesting, since I usually don't drink smokey beers. It is lighter than other porters. The taste is good and interesting do to the smoky aspect of it. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2002 18:40:13 | More by Wildman

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark ruby witha beautiful thick head that has good retention. Smoked salmon and jerky on the nose. Medium body. Slick mouthfeel. Light smoked jerky on the palate. Chocolate and coffee tones also present. Some good roasty tones too. I like this one. The only better smoked porter I've had is from Alaskan.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2002 11:49:33 | More by Bighuge

beernut7

Massachusetts

3.2/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Fairly light bodied porter. Lightly smoked flavor with little other distinctive character. Not the best, but one of the more drinkable smokers on a quantity basis.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2002 06:19:00 | More by beernut7

jonnylieberman

California

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

As with all Stone beers, the Smoked Porter is top shelf. However, it is not really smoked enough for my taste. A smoked porter is a weird idea anyway, because you are already using so many burnt grains. Rogue makes a smoked beer that really tastes smoky. Very yummy. This one, a good porter, but not smoky enough.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2002 16:36:41 | More by jonnylieberman