Washington's Porter - Williamsburg AleWerks

smakawhat

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I asked the guy behind the bar what this Aleworks one was, was it a Pale Ale, Wheat Ale? He then says... yah it's a wheat ale so I say ok (it didn't matter I just needed to identify it) I'll have one. And out comes this dark looking, roasty smelling beer. Yeah this is a wheat ale ... NOT... poured on tap into a silver tankard. Whatever..

Regardless of the serving item this was a nice off light brown and very creamy head. Real nice foamy and tight bubbles, sitting on a dark brown amber body. Good lacing even on the tankard. I would say more but I can't.

First smell is actually a root beer like smell. Faint malt and roast. Very nice actually.

Taste is like a milk stout and sweet, creamy root beer like. Hints of sharp cigarettes with a slight cola and coffee finish. A little wet bodied though, and a mish mash of milk stout like quality.

This pretty much screams porter but I have to say it's a good one, real easy drinking off the tap here.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2011 00:10:21 | More by smakawhat

haazer

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had at the Philly Winter Beer Fest. Served in the plastic goblet.

A- Light brown head sits a top a viscous dark brown brew. Ruby highlights shine on the outer edges.

S- Very roasty dry malt profile upfront. Has a smokeyness in it, and burnt marshmellows over a woodfire. Ending aroma is fresh coffee beans. Great smells in this.

T- Mostly a chocolate assault. Nice and sweet with a distinct sugar taste. Coffee is there too but takes a backseat to the chocolate.

M- Rich and creamy feel to this brew, but it is on the lighter side of medium bodied.

D- Interesting porter, very tasty and great aromas. Low enough ABV do have a few of these, almost but not quite sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2011 23:14:08 | More by haazer

JamesS

Indiana

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours an excellent dark brown with a bit of nice, initial head. Good deep scent, lots of roasted grains with a deep coffee aroma. Very deep roasty flavor, nice hop balance to the dark grain sweetness. Very dry mouthfeel, though, almost dry enough to make you thirsty for a different drink.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2010 17:07:13 | More by JamesS

clayrock81

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a blackish body with offwhite head that died slowly and left lace patches. A heavy malt smell with roasted, coffee and chocolate notes along with hints of caramel. A medium-bodied porter that is a little more dry than sweet but still somewhat creamy and smooth. The roasted and coffee notes do make for an interesting blend/taste, and there is still some minor sweetness. Finishes dry and clean w/o overpowering the tastebuds. A good porter that is worth a shot to any porter fans out there.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2009 17:25:18 | More by clayrock81

blackwhe03

Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was lucky enough to show up with enough people to spark a tour of the brewery and sample a few of their beers. This is one that stuck with me. Thick, milky brown head, and dark brown color. Not a very strong smell, but the flavors came together nicely. I noticed chocolate, coffee, and nutty notes. Clean aftertaste that doesn't stay on the tongue. Not heavy and very drinkable, wouldn't be too filling for a stout if you wanted to have more than one.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2007 15:33:40 | More by blackwhe03

beerking1

Virginia

4.72/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This porter is fantastic, with a somewhat unique character of both roast and caramel in the flavor and the aroma. It pours deep brown, almost an opaque beer, with a generous brown head. Finish is big caramel, and the beer has a lingering body and sweetness.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2007 02:40:59 | More by beerking1

jpro

South Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Picked up a single in Williamsburg. Poured in a plastic cup...

A: Black, with a light mocha head; a few webs of lace stick to the plastic.

S: Chocolate malt; nice, roasted aroma; nice porter aroma.

T: Chocolate; brownie batter / light roasted coffee; nothing over the top; nice, even taste; dry, earthy hop finish - but not really bitter.

M: Full; high carbonation; nice texture.

O: A real nice, traditional porter!

*from notes 4.20.13

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 00:40:00 | More by jpro

devilben02

North Carolina

3.19/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

The appearance is in line with other solid porters, with a dark chestnut-brown color beneath a nice, foamy beige head. The aroma is largely a light milk chocolate with only a little bit of roast, although it is all a bit muted until the beer warmed up a bit. The flavor is again dominated by sweet, milky, chocolate malts, which is even a little too sweet for my liking, but there is also a slight astringency that detracts from the taste. The smooth, light carbonation doesn't get in the way. Overall, this beer has good color and aroma, and it has a decent depth of flavor despite being a bit over-sweet, making it a solid, slightly above-average porter.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 16:50:58 | More by devilben02

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.56/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a dark brown color; it isn't entirely opaque. The head is a one finger light cream shade. Not very impressive looking to start, it fades rather quickly and doesn't leave much lacing behind.

S: This has a good chocolate presence, and it's also backed by some roasted nuts, coffee, and cream. Nice aroma, yet nothing groundbreaking.

T: At first I notice some dry chocolate, ultimately giving way to notes of caramel, brown sugar, and even tangy fruit esters. There's also a slight finishing mineral component.

M: Very creamy, yet at the same time, quite dry and clean. Not over-carbonated like some porters, too. Drinkability is fantastic.

O: This is a fine example of an everyday beer. It inspires simple, easy going drinkability, yet doesn't blow away the palate (nor does it attempt to). But I could easily put down 2 or 3 of these in a sitting with no complaints - I'm even a bit sad I only bought a single, so yes, this one is indeed very good.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 20:38:05 | More by ThisWangsChung

chinchill

South Carolina

3.99/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle served in a Unibroue snifter.

Appearance: Pours a very dark brown, near black and opaque in the glass but with a fine looking reddish mahogany at the edges. The tan head is small with limited retention, although a partial top coat and ring last on and on, and irregular sticky lacing is left on the sides of my glass.

Aroma: Not strong, but has some depth and complexity,. Caramel and dark roasted malt with hints of dark fruit, coffee and a light touch of spicy hops.

Taste: The flavor amplifies the aromas, especially the coffee and bittersweet chocolate. Meanwhile, the dark fruit is minimal, but that’s OK, there’s plenty to enjoy here and some nice dynamics from start to aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Soft, with a near medium body and enough carbonation to add life and make it seem a bit lighter. Only a touch of dryness in the finish.

Overall: I love some porters and fine others unappealing. This is one of the good ones. It is so much better than the 961 Porter that preceded it. Flavorful but very well balanced and not at all challenging. Worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 23:55:00 | More by chinchill

hornsup

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

bottle from Nov 2012 poured into a Mother Earth pint glass

A: Pours a murky brown color. Not anything special here, kind of unappealing until you see the beautiful khaki head that sits around for a little.

S: Smell is bland, little metallicy, some cheap chocolate notes, coffee, and tobacco leaves

T: Taste is much better than the smell. A smooth milky chocolate flavor with some toasted malts and vanilla notes. No fruit flavors at all, but a unique blend of dark sweetness.

M: Medium to light bodied with hardly any carbonation

O: Dont drink this after you've consumed a true world class stout because it will make you not appreciate it. This is a great session stout and isnt intended to rock your world like a FBS, FIS, Sexual chocolate, etc. Very simple flavors with alot of malt that makes this beer a solid go-to. Worth a shot, but wont ever crack your top 20

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 07:07:53 | More by hornsup

ckollias

Maryland

4.31/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a Belgian tulip glass.

A: Pours a dark black hue with a thin, 2-finger, tan head that quickly dissipates into a wispy lace leaving a partial trail down the side.

S: Great toasted malt aroma with hints of coffee and chocolate.

T: Sweet and slightly bitter toasted malt flavor with a slightly astringent coffee and chocolate background similar to the aroma.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: I really liked this porter – great aromas and flavors and went down easy.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 02:26:52 | More by ckollias

FleetwoodMatt

Virginia

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

Poured from bottle into a snifter.

A: Very dark, not quite black but still extremely dark brown. Small amount of dark tan head that faded quickly to a ring.

S: Really nice malt/coffee/chocolate mixture in that order of presence.

T: Pretty solid porter malt into coffee taste.

M: Mouthfeel seems just right for my liking. Definitely on the thin side of medium but still really nice. Fair amount of carbonation but not too much.

O: I really liked this one and will definitely have again. Nothing really overwhelming in terms of impressiveness but still just a really good porter.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 04:42:42 | More by FleetwoodMatt

ccrida

Oregon

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

12 oz bottle poured into my large Duvel tulip, Washington's Porter is a dark cola brown with a tam head leaving scattered lace.

Smell is sweet malt and ethanol, with a little char.

Taste is malty, a little fruity, grape. There's some acrid black patent to balance it, which lingers on the bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, slick.

Drinkability is pretty good, this is a solid porter, nice balance, nothing jarring, well made.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 01:07:54 | More by ccrida

Beer-A-Lot

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The first rule of beer tasting: Never chew gum before drinking beer.
The second rule of beer tasting: NEVER chew gum before drinking beer.
This beer got better as it went along. (Obviously, the gum wore off.) Nice color with brownish/off-white head. Not a lot of chocolately taste; instead more of a peppery taste to me (Gum?) Versy satisfying aftertaste. I don't feel "boozed up" after drinking. The only shortcoming is I wish it had a bit more to it in the feel, but that's less important than the taste. Will have again without the gum.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 22:48:34 | More by Beer-A-Lot

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.58/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Strong, smoky aroma has an overtone of cocoa and hints of licorice and miso. It pours an opaque warm sable with a fairly thick tan head that is not overly persistent but leaves some generous lacing. Flavor has a core of roast malt and subtle notes of caramel, molasses and licorice. Texture is a bit on the thin side and not overly fizzy. If not outstanding, still a decent porter.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 03:44:13 | More by Cyberkedi

magine

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a becker.

Pours a dark brown with some mahogany on the edges. Light brown head. Good pillow of head settles. Head settles to a patchy layer. Decent lace clings. Pretty good looks.

Brew smells of mild malts, roasted nuttiness, caramel. Some tofee perhaps and chocolate for sure. Decent nose.

Brew is a little thin initially, good carbonation leads the way to sessioning, good drinkability. Good roasted flavors; nutty, dark chocolates, sweet dark fruity yeasts. Very good flavors. As it warms it seems to fill out a bit more. Very solid porter.

I like the flavors and the higher abv here. A nice porter to session and would seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 01:14:43 | More by magine

just_n_thomas

3.45/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Very drinkable porter with a deep opaque color. Smells consist of dark malt and burnt espresso with flavorings hinting at chocolate. A short lived espresso head which turns quickly to lacing on the glass.

I enjoyed the growler fill over the bottle (I'm lucky enough to live just down the road from this brewery).

Serving type: growler

04-29-2012 20:13:35 | More by just_n_thomas

Firkin-Bunghole

3.23/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Review taken from notes
12 oz bottle
Thanks to my mom & dad for this one. Got this beer as a surpise 6 pack from my parents. They stopped by Williamsburg Alewerks brewery a month back and brought me back a mixed 6
A: medium brown with small head that doesnt last long
S: roasted and chocolate malts
T: Chocolate with only slight roastiness. Pretty easy to drink and low IBUs
M: Light mouthfeel and carbonation
O: This beer is a decent porter-definitely the best bottle from the mixed 6, but I'm not really a Pale Ale or Lager guy. It was pretty cool of my parents to support my craft beer experience.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 01:22:19 | More by Firkin-Bunghole

littlelorib

Virginia

3.05/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dark brown to black opaque brew with a half inch of cafe au lait colored head, thinning quickly to lacing on glass. Smell is of roasted malts and alcohol. Taste is of chocolate and burnt coffee with the alcohol making itself known. Funny, its not that high of an ABV for the alcohol to be so visible. Moderate mouth feel with maybe a little too much carbonation.

Overall, a drinkable porter but without much to set it apart from the pack of other drinkable porters.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 00:09:54 | More by littlelorib

teromous

Virginia

2.95/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A: There's barely a head to speak of, and it goes away instantly. There is carbonation that I can see popping through the surface and sticking to the side of the glass. It closely resembles cola. It's a dark brown color, but appears mostly black. Zero lacing.

S: It has a nice smell to it. It is very chocolaty with notes of toasted coffee. There's a light yeast smell to it which adds a nice character.

T: It tastes like a light roast of coffee. There are hints of cocoa and it has a familiar porter malt taste. It's not too sweet but the malt definitely comes through. I don't pick up any hop flavor or bitterness. Overall the taste is about average for a porter.

M: The mouthfeel is very lackluster. There is almost no carbonation in the mouth and it feels very flat. I wouldn't say it's the worst beer, because the beer itself sits alright in the mouth...but it's like driving a car without gas. You can have a decent ride, but you're not going anywhere.

O: Overall I'd say this beer is below average. It smells nice, and tastes pretty good but it doesn't feel like much of a beer at all. I wouldn't recommend it as a porter to others, and won't be drinking it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 17:35:52 | More by teromous

TechTriumph

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From notes on 10/31/11:
Bottled: 07/27/11; Poured in a pint glass.

A - Very dark beer that approaches black - darker than cola; No light penetration; Thin layer of dark, hot chocolate colored head; No lacing at all

S - Notes of dark chocolate and roasted coffee beans; As the beer warms, the dark chocolate becomes more pronounced

T - Lots of malty goodness as expected; Initially, there's dark chocolate and fresh coffee flavors; Afterwards comes a more earthy and roasted taste; Roasted malts are more noticeable as the beer warms

M - Medium bodied; Light carbonation; Slightly dry and bitter finish

O - This is actually a very drinkable and lighter-feeling porter with very enjoyable flavors. It seemed to get even better as it warmed up a bit. I could easily have a few more of this beer and will certainly pick up some more for the upcoming holiday season.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 00:30:49 | More by TechTriumph

engagechad

Virginia

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

Purchased as a single - tulip

Pours a healthy looking dark brown with some ruby egdges. Smells delightfully malty and spicy, brown sugar dominates in a good way. Taste follows, this was an extremely enjoyable porter that I would totally recommend.

This brewery never disappoints.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 16:31:05 | More by engagechad

IronLover

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Nearly black with brownish hues. Poured with a short beige head that quickly reduces to a ring around the edge of the glass. Sweet dark chocolate aromas are dominant with well defined dark roasted malt. Oak aromas start to sneak in as this warms a bit. Thick and smooth feel with dry finish. Sweet chocolate up front with dark roasted malt through the middle and smooth chocolate flavors returning at the end and through the finish. An earthy, oak flavor lies beneath from beginning to end.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 17:25:30 | More by IronLover

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a pint glass at the J. Clyde. From notes. Reviewed 24 October 2011.

A: Very dark, with a light head immediately dissipating. Impenetrable even in direct light.

S: Loads of dark chocolate and almost as much roasted malt. Yum!

T: This beer is pretty damn good -- AleWerks has yet to disappoint. The smell is a good indication of what to expect; this is a robust, roasty/chocolatey beer. Traces of coffee bitterness. A superb porter.

M: Light carbonation complements a full-bodied beer.

O: Delicious. If you're a fan of porters, or 'dark beer' in general, this is a must-try. I will drink again; one of my favourite porters.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 20:38:40 | More by AgentMunky