Becky's Black Cat Porter - Seven Brides Brewing

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber. Big, mad props to my friends Brent and Michelle for bequeathing this souvenir of their trip to the Willamette valley to me, on the occasion of my son's baby-warming. I ain't saving this until the wee screamer is of age, so here we go.

This beer pours a solid, overused motor oil black, with only a hint of basal caramel highlights when blinded by the light, and a towering column of frothy, densely foamy, whipped cream beige head, which leaves some thorough layered, chunky hanging lace around the glass as it slowly sinks away to that last DQ swirl.

It smells of dry dark chocolate, lightly toasted caramel malt, a touch of vanilla cream, roasted bar nuts, some faint lactic sourness, and a prominent musty, earthy, and leafy hoppiness. The taste is more slightly charred caramel malt, bittersweet and kookoo cocoa puffs, mildly sour milk, a wafting ashiness, dry ground coffee, and some emergent dank citrusy, earthy, leafy hop bitterness - just enough to keep this honestly 'muricun.

The bubbles, as previously noted, seem to have seen that Pepsi and Mentos Youtube video one too many times, yet somehow maintain a low-level grade of fizzy, crazy structure, the body a decent enough middleweight under it all, as the chocolate throws its heft around to ensure at least a semblance of smoothness. It finishes off-dry, but only just, as in a major (localized to yours truly, of course) development, the hops wax in the face of the unexpectedly waning malt cabal.

A rather involving and ultimately tasty rendition of an American porter - the multi-varied malt is good and busy, the hops keep up their end of the bargain, if a tad tardily, and the elevated ABV seems lost in the Oregon Garden, or somewhere, 'cause it sure isn't making time around here. Enjoyable to the last drop (once that foam settles - maybe this little brew saw too much in the way of jostling travel - no big deal).

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 03:49:56 | More by biboergosum

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A nice porter in a tallboy can. Deep black bodied with a good-sized tan head and strong lacing. Blends sweetness and roastiness well; has ample chocolatey notes, char, bitter black coffee, dark fruit, light citrus hops adding to the bitterness as well. Slight chalkiness the only knock. Semi-sweet finish with a touch of charred bitterness lingering. Booze remains mostly hidden. Medium-full bodied, moderately carbonated, slightly sticky in a nice way. Has some heft and a good deal of smoothness. Pretty solid all around. Thanks to Trystero. I'd buy a 4 pack of these if they sold them on the east coast.

Serving type: can

12-18-2012 04:18:14 | More by tobelerone

Vancoubeer

Washington

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

For 4 dollars you really cannot complain about a 22oz bottle....well you can but with this nope. When I poured it out of the bottle, I say on the bottle it said it had an SRM of 80...yes its dark, black and darker than most porters this cheap I have ever seen. The only light I get it on the rim of the glass when holding up to light. It sends a deep red hue. Besides that this is black as night and it has a very thick creamy mocha head. Very nice and it faded quickly. The smell was a bit of a downer. I tried to get the roastyness or the coffee / dark chocolates you get with beer this dark. Its not there. You have to try really hard to get that dark roast smell. Its there and its subtle. I have had the early feelings of a cold. That has to be this because when I take a sip its what I expected. Its a thick, dark roasty somewhat bitter sticky dank beer. Amazing for the price. It almost has a flavor like it was barrel aged. Not sure where that comes from. But its got to be from the barley or something that has yielded that boozyness that is not heat from bourbon but not also from beer. Its easy to drink. Its got a thick mouthfeel to it. Yet it finishes kind of dry at the end. All I got to say is that if you like dark beer give this a shot. I am giving it a 4. Its great. Not the best porter ever but for the cash this is one beer not to pass up at all.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 05:54:35 | More by Vancoubeer

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.03/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Maudite snifter. Pours a very dark brown, appearing black in the glass. Half finger light brown head with good retention and lacing. Very dark and impressive for a porter. Aroma of toasted malt, light chocolate and caramel malt. Flavor of dark toasted malt with a hint of char, coffee, light chocolate and malt. Finishes with boiled coffee and hops. Nice medium, creamy body. This is one of the beers that causes contemplation of the difference between porters and stouts. The flavor is dominated by toasted malt but is not as intense as a stout; the color and body are very close. Nicely made. I liked this very much and it encourages me to try other brews from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 03:41:10 | More by LiquidAmber

bradleyp

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks again to the Bier Stein for stocking this beer. Bought it mainly because my girlfriend's name is Becci.

A: Dark brown to almost black.

S: Coffee and chocolate are definitely present in the aroma. Very strong malt flavor to balance it out.

T: Deep coffee flavors. Nice malty backbone. I really enjoyed how this tasted. I've been on a chocolate/coffee flavored beer kick as of late, and this one is really one of the better ones.

M: Very creamy and smooth. Something I really enjoy in a porter.

D: I think I would drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2011 03:37:31 | More by bradleyp

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.15/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 22 oz. bottle, picked up for around $5 at Belmont Station. Chilled, but not cold, and served to a pint glass.

Good-looking label: a black cat silhouetted against a full moon, a 'spooky' old house and gnarly trees framing it. 'Becky's Black Cat Porter' in a script-y, kinda feminine font - reminiscent of Tim Burton's 'Nightmare Before Christmas'.

A: Full-on 'black'; hold it to a strong light to have any chance at seeing through this beast (a little rusty bronze shows). Nice head of mocha cream: tops off at a finger, but sticks a patchwork quilt atop. Very nice lace, too - canvassing sheets that stick in discernible strata. All that you'd ask for in a porter.

S: A noseful of muddy earth and brackish chocolate, musty but with brief whiffs of vanilla and roasted nuts. Not much hops to speak of, as you'd expect from an 'American Porter' (just not always a 'Northwest' take on one...).

T: A sooty/ashy ground coffee and dark chocolate load...geez, really terrific! It's a dark fudge cake and a cream-laced coffee married together (although the acrid coffee tends to dominate the finish).To get into this, you'll have to like the darkest of roasts; fortunately, I do. Tasty!

M: Refined carbonation and a generally smooth and creamy feel. Body is medium, borderline heavy. Alcohol sneaks in at the finish.

D: Very likable, probably the best I've tried from still (what I consider) fledgling Seven Brides. If you like big, roasted and malty stouts (and you can find this limited ale), pick this up and enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2010 02:21:17 | More by msubulldog25

velosuds

Oregon

4.18/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a clear pint glass. No freshness dating. Paid $3.99 at local grocer on sale.

A-Pours a dark brown almost black hue with a one and one half finger, thick, creamy tan head with good retention and ample lacing.

S-Chocolate, coffee, and toasted malts with a pleasant hop presence at 55 IBUs. This is maybe the best smelling porter I have encountered. If a buzz were possible through the nose this would be an outstanding beer.

T-Rich malt, creamy dark chocolate (more bittersweet than milk, but luxuriant nonetheless), and coffee. Sweet and adequately hoppy. Not quite ready to give this a 4.5 for taste, but damn close. Would readily give it a 4.25 if possible.

M-Very smooth, but a tad light. Otherwise a great beer.

D-This is the best offering I have enjoyed from Seven Brides. Wish they bottled this in 12 oz. bottles by the six pack. Will enjoy this again. Nice that it has a 7% ABV that is very nicely masked.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2010 01:51:08 | More by velosuds

Reidrover

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bomber from "Lifesource" Salem. I have to give this a perfect "5" for appearance. deepest, darkest mahogany brown with a gorgeous dark tan head..thats rather creamy and thick..a work of art. Great chocolaty dark coffee aromas..rosted malty goodness assaults the nasal passages! Again nice flavour profile..dakest sweet coffee essence with a semi-bitter chocolaty base that is luxuriant. Palate lets it down a bit..being smooth but a little too thin. But overall a very nice porter..certainlly the best beer this brewery has produced so far IMO.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2010 18:42:11 | More by Reidrover