Smoked Porter - Stone Brewing Co.

UberWasser

Arizona

3.98/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pint from tap at Old Chicago in Tucson.

Pours a thick black color with very little light penetration along the edges. Head is thick, creamy and tan. Doesn't hold for very long but laces the glass nicely.

Smells of coffee with cream with some smoke in the background.

Tastes similar, though the smokiness becomes more pronounced. Along with it come nice sweet coffee tastes and a thick creamy mouthfeel. Drinkability is only limited somewhat by the smoke flavor, which I find to be a tiny bit artificial in flavor. It tastes good, but after a pint, I've had enough.

Definitely among the upper rung of smoked porters, though perhaps not the pinnacle. It will be my beer to go to when I want some smokey flavor and a certain North Western seasonal is unavailable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2006 02:52:24 | More by UberWasser

dawg

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had a pint of this. Barkeep overpoured resulting in minimal head. Kind of bummed me out. Still looked good though.

Chocolate, smokey, bananna, malty, not hoppy.

Tasted good. Mild hops help bring out the smokey flovors. Hints or fruit.

Meduim to light body. Fizzy, smooth.

Over the last few weeks, I've had this at least once. Pretty damn good and drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2006 16:26:36 | More by dawg

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

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

Very smooth for a smoked porter, drinks real easy. Initial big head that dissipitates. Understated smoke in aroma. Deep rich chocolate malt, roast flavour taste. Well malted and not overhopped. Satisfying medium to full mouthfeel. Good porter. On tap at Pizza Plant Transit.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2006 05:41:24 | More by northyorksammy

Sycodrummer

Massachusetts

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

Recently had some from a pitcher order my friend placed at the Sunset Grill and Tap in Allston, Mass. Poured from the pitcher into an American pint glass. A deep dark black with a thick two-finger tan and beige head that lasted atop the sample for its duration and left ample lacing as well.

A very nice smell. Similiar to BBC coffee house porter. Aromas of coffee, chocolate, mocha, carmel, and coffee.

Each frangrance of the smell backed up by a facet of the taste and well balanced to boot. Strong black coffee up front and softer delicate chocolate, caramel, and toffee in the background but enough to make themselves known.

Heavy on the palate with almost no carbonation to speak of.

Very easy to drink but very filling. Had another sample from the pitcher and that was the perfect amount for me in one sitting. Certainly a good beer, but one to be enjoyed a little at a time.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2005 04:01:55 | More by Sycodrummer

pezoids

Pennsylvania

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

Poured a very dark brown, nearly black color. Looked like liquid molasses, topped by a layer of creamy tan foam. The aroma has soft dark toffee notes with some sweet brown sugar. The taste is bitter with touches of roasted smoke. The smoke in this beer is really subdued and pleasant unlike the morning after campfire I was expecting. Creamy and roasted body which is generally smooth and solid. An assertive porter with some nice subtle enhancements. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2005 19:49:16 | More by pezoids

GeoffFromSJ

New Jersey

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

This was an exceptional smoked beer. Let me say that the smoke taste is more on the subtle side. It is the session smoked porter, so to speak. And it is exceptional.

It came with no head, but that could be due to how it was poured. You can pick up a little of the smoke in the smell, but not too much. The taste is wonderful. A great porter taste with a little bit of smoke underneath. I don't know whether it deserves a 5 or not, but it is borderline. Good carbonation. It has very good mouthfeel, and the carbonation slightly tickles the tongue without being too much.

So very drinkable. I'm very glad I could get a hold of it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2004 05:36:10 | More by GeoffFromSJ

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer arrived at the table a black amber with clear ruby highlights and an everlasting head that coated...no...painted the glass with Belgian Lace.

The aroma was only slightly smoky with more of a banana and fruity aroma. Mostly caramel in the background.

The flavor also was only slightly smoky with the same banana fruitiness and a caramel coffee and chocolate flavor. There was also present a slight malty sweetness that was well balanced by the darker malts.

The finish was dry with chocolate and then coffee well into the aftertaste. The body was medium.

I got much more coffee from this beer than smoke. Very nice beer, but if I had not known it was supposed to be a smoked beer I would have just thought it was a well crafted porter.

Pint at the Taproom at Ghent.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2004 12:20:04 | More by GCBrewingCo

Stimack

New York

3.93/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this brew on tap at Mahars the other night. Brew poured to almost black color with a nice head that stuck around for about half of the brew and then broke down to pretty good lacing. The aromas of this brew where of caramel, chocolate, charcoal and of course a sweet smokiness. Excellent aroma coming from this brew. The taste was very much in line with the aroma, but the roasted malt flavor was prevalent. Also could notice a bit if a hop hit but is was difficult to track that one down. Nice think brew that I think would be incredible during the colder months but was happy to give it a try with it being close to 80 out! Over all a great brew and would track this one down again!

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2004 12:30:37 | More by Stimack

oggg

California

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

The beer was presented to me in a tall pilsener glass at Fleming's Steak House in San Diego. It was a solid black with brown tints at the edges. The head was poured small, but it was light and creamy and left a strong lace. The aroma was of chocolate and roasted goodies. Tiny bit of hop aroma. Not a whole lot of smoke. The taste was full of chocolate and sweet roasted grains. Astringency was low. Mild hop flavor barely balanced the chocolate sweetness. Smokiness was restrained. Not dry. I ordered a filet mignon and I don't think they went too well together, go figure. Anyways, this porter is medium bodied and very smooth. I had this a few months ago in the bottle and it was terribly astringent. This tap version was very nice.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2004 04:14:34 | More by oggg

Billolick

New York

4.3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Another high quality creation from Stone. Almost black , with hints of ruby. Nice roasted malts in the center.This is a very well crafted smoked brew, as the smoke flavor is very present,but it doesnt overwhelm the flavor, balance and character of the brew. Velvet mouthfeel, nice hoppy , crisp finish. Stone is quickly becoming a must try brewery. This one is a fine Quafer, well worth seeking out. Tried this one on Tap at The Gingerman in NYC.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2004 10:15:33 | More by Billolick

crookedhalo

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Rich dark brown color almost opaque; nice tan to light brown head. Faint smokiness amidst all the qualities of a quality porter; roastiness, maltiness and all the stereotypical dark ale qualitites (coffee, chocolate, dark fruit, etc...) Personally, I've tasted better porters, but the subtle smoke presence in this beer rounds it out and makes it quite enjoyable. I feel Stone has done a remarkable job with this beer. Of course, it's no Schlenkerla as far as smoked beers go, but you know it's not trying to be that kind of a smoked beer. Sometimes less is better, and if this beer was more aggressively smoked, I'm not so sure I'd like it as much. It's found a certain kind of chi. Right up there with Anchor Porter as a quality west coast porter.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2003 08:31:40 | More by crookedhalo

Boilermaker88

California

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

Served on tap at Heroe's Bar & Grill in La Verne, CA

Beautiful near-black color with dark ruby tint at the edges. Thin, sticky tan/brown head that left sheets of lace behind.

Smell: chocolate and coffee aroma, similar to a mocha java, and a nice smokiness.

Taste: again, that mocha java thing. Also some caramel that gives it a pleasing sweetness. Great smokey flavor that is quite enticing. Nice mild hops kick in the finish to balance things out.

Feel: nice full-bodied, smooth, velvety texture.

This rather surprising offering by Stone is my favorite. Not at all what I expected, it exceeded all my preconceived ideas about how Stone would brew this style. SSP has a superb blending of tastes without the almost over the top aggressiveness characterizing other Stone beers. Reasonable % ABV and mellow nature make this so very quaffable. A real treat and my new Monday Night Football beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2003 17:02:27 | More by Boilermaker88

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

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

Another Stone on tap..this one has proven to not be as uneven as some of the other styles.

Lovely dark shade, very dark...you can pick up some reddish/brown when held to the light. Very nice head when poured, plus it left lots of lovely lacing through-out the glass. Light smokey aroma.

Nice chewey, medium bodied beer. This is one of their more balanced beers in my opinion, and it shows, the malt and hops blend well together, neither overshadowing the other. There's some roasted flavor present in the malt as well. It leaves a smooth smokey aftertaste that is pleasurable.

Pretty good brew. Not as smokey as some German smoke beers, so might be a way to introduce this flavor to someone. pat

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2003 22:59:42 | More by PatandDavid

aaronh

Pennsylvania

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

Dark mahogany beer topped by a tan, long-lasting head. Mild, sweet malt aroma with a touch of hops. A very subtle smoky note as well. The taste is sweet and smoky, like a good southern barbeque sauce. Malt really makes its presence known, and the hops finsh it out with a nice bitterness on the finish. The aftertatse has a lingering smokiness to it. The mouthfeel is smooth and enjoyable. The drinkability of this really can't be beat. I'm amazed at the balanced, smooth character of this beer. This is truly a treat. A bomber may not be enough of this one. Pick up a case for your next cookout.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2003 19:34:42 | More by aaronh

AtLagerHeads

Ohio

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

Well, Stone's is batting a 1000 with me so far. This is another very good brew that pleases all the way through. Very dark brown to black look with a somewhat smallish tan head, but a good degree of lacing left behind to remind you of what was. The taste is a very nice blend of smokey and roasted grains that give a sense of chocolate and coffe, but without overpowering the senses. This is another of the Stone's brews that gives good body in the mouthfeel, but which finishes with enough crispness as to not be wimpy creamy. Again I say, more, please.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2003 09:27:32 | More by AtLagerHeads

Denali

Pennsylvania

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

On tap at the Blind Tiger in New York City.

Appearance: Jet black with frothy tan head that laced like mad.

Smell: Chocolate malt and toffee aromas.

Taste: Starts off with a surprising hops flavor. Follows with strong bitter chocolate malt taste. Coffee aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Thick with light carbonation.

Drinkability: Very easy drinking.

Comments: I was surprised and disappointed that I could not detect any smoky characteristics, but I enjoyed this nevertheless.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2003 07:09:25 | More by Denali

Jason

Massachusetts

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

On tap at the Sunset Cantina.

Thick webby lacing riding off the tawny brown colour. Estery smoky aroma and malty nose. Spicy alcohol flavour with a smoke charcoal malt in the middle. Big maltiness with a light hop balance, some mellow chocolaty malt flavours in the end with a lingering faint smoke. Good stuff on tap and one of the better porters on tap I have had, bring it on.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2003 16:27:33 | More by Jason

scottum

Vermont

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

Really wasn't all that smokey for a beer that has the word smoked in it's title. Poured out very dark with a nice head. Tastes very mellow for a stone brew. Feels good in the mouth and good in the stomach. A quite good porter with a hint of smoke. Mmmmm... Stone.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2003 15:12:10 | More by scottum

Jarod

Pennsylvania

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

It poured into the glass a very dark brown/red in color. The head was a creamy light chocolate in color and very thick. And the lace seemed to last to the end of the glass. The aroma is deep malt, lightly smoked, caramel, and even a hint of coffee and elements of chocolate. The taste is of a sweet malt, caramel hints of coffee/chocolate and smoke. It is nicely hopped, and I really enjoyed the smoke qualities in this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2002 09:26:55 | More by Jarod