Shaky Hands
Hollister Brewing Co.

Beer Geek Stats
From:
Hollister Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American Porter
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
Needs more ratings
Avg:
4.32 | pDev: 8.33%
Reviews:
3
Ratings:
6
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 29, 2013
Added:
Nov 25, 2009
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by melagnus:
Photo of melagnus
Reviewed by melagnus from California

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Serving Temp: 50 - 55˚F Served in stemmed red wine glass

A - Tan colored two finger-thick head with dense fluffy foam that lasts well beyond two minutes. Slight lacing on the side of the glass and once dissipated, fizzles out to a bubbly layer. Underneath lies a Dark Brown (SRM 30) hued liquid that is clear, but not easily seen through. Carbonation isn't visible, so hard to say how much this plays into head retention! Rousing this beer produces finger-thick head that doesn't fail to disappoint in appearance.

S - Front-forward roasted aroma mixes well with bitter dark chocolate notes. A coyly disguised vinous aspect lingers in the background and all helps to disguise the alcohol (7.5% ABV). No caramel or estery aspect to speak of.

T - Mild bitterness from hops and roasted grain. Chocolate, roasted coffee, but not so assertive as to give off a burnt note; a Mild Porter it is. As in aroma, the vinous aspect does come through in a Port-like way, though very subtle indeed.

M - Gritty, creamy and medium in body, this beer lingers with a kiss of syrup and slight sting of hops. Doesn't thrash the palate and comes across as quite balanced.

C - A truly exceptional Porter that disguises the alcohol quite well and although can be felt over time, could easily be a tempting friend over the course of an evening. I highly recommend it!

Prost!
Dec 23, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by illidurit from California

Jun 29, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by bh123 from California

Jan 13, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by t0rin0 from California

Oct 14, 2012
Photo of barleywinefiend
Reviewed by barleywinefiend from Washington

4.82/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Wow! Solid across the board and when I think of Imp Porter this is what I think of.
Poured a very deep brown, almost black with good carbonation and a brown head. Nose is dark and bitter chocolate, a very smooth coffee bean smell and roasted nose. Smelled very good. Taste was wow. Big hearty roastiness, smooth coffee beans with bitter chcolate all the way through. Simply delicous. Mouthfeel is creamy, warming and the taste is relentless. Drinkability. One is good. A very sold and filling brew that you'll only need one of but want more of!
Dec 06, 2009
Photo of rallison
Reviewed by rallison from California

4.6/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
I need to give some more love to Hollister. This beer is excellent.

Imperial Coffee Porter. Brewed with Intelligentsia coffee. Straddles the line between porter and imperial at 7.5%.

Since I also love coffee, I was especially intrigued when I learned that this was brewed with Intelligentsia beans - some of the absolute best beans in southern California (not quite NorCal's Ritual/4 Barrel/Philz level, but close). Anyway, on to the actual review.

Rich black color with a beautiful, creamy tan head. Nice lacing.

Coffee dominates the nose. Espresso and rich chocolate in the nose.

No astringency whatsoever in the taste. Thank you. Seriously. The vast majority of coffee beers have a bitter astringency reminiscent of Folgers/Maxwell House/fill in the blank sucky coffee. This is one of those few coffee/espresso dominant beers that hits on the richness of a shot of espresso without the unwanted bitter or astringent characteristics. This is excellent. Lovely chocolaty espresso flavors envelop the taste buds.

Mouthfeel is rich yet light. This works well at 7.5%.

Too drinkable.

This is one of my favorites from Hollister. Hip Hop is my go-to DIPA, but this gives Hip Hop some competition for my favorite Hollister beer.

Summary: Try this beer.
Nov 25, 2009
Shaky Hands from Hollister Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 4.32 out of 5 with 6 ratings