DuClaw Exile 1 (Imperial Chocolate Rye Porter) - DuClaw Brewing Company

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

4.4/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle poured into a tumbler pint glass.

A: Pours a very dark brown color - hell, I think I'll call it pitch black. The beer looks decently thick while it's being poured, as well. The head is a two finger lighter tan color with lowish retention, but a fantastic texture; one that leaves a spotty wall of lacing as it recedes. A damn nice looking beer.

S: Chocolate (lots of it), lighter coffee, some licorice, and plenty of roasted malts. A textbook porter, yes, but the aroma is nonetheless tantalizing. Rye malts are neutral on the nose.

T: Fantastic. It's partly reminiscent of Founders Breakfast Stout, one of those beers so good it's hard for me to analyze and pick apart the flavor profile - I just want to drink the stuff. The initial tastes of chocolate are awesome, before giving way to a midtaste of darker fruits and faint vanilla. Slight rye spiciness finishes things nicely as a complement to the roasted malt, providing a nicely subtle layer without hurting balance. Not too bitter or sweet, although midtaste flavors have a light sweetness to them.

M: The body is medium, while the texture has a nice smooth feel to it. Rye partially scrubs the palate clean with a pleasant drying sensation, but there's still a slight lingering aftertaste of roast, fig, and plum. Moderately carbonated and insanely drinkable.

O: It's one of those beers that manages to combine a big flavor profile with incredible balance/drinkability, to the point where I'd seriously contemplate killing a second bomber of this. Pairing this with dark chocolate really allowed this to come into its own. Without a doubt, it's one of the better porters I've had to date.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 23:40:02 | More by ThisWangsChung

AngusOg

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

06-15-2013 16:22:11 | More by AngusOg

Roger85

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

06-05-2013 03:24:26 | More by Roger85

Kreko7

California

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

05-16-2013 19:12:27 | More by Kreko7

Magery

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

05-07-2013 19:13:51 | More by Magery

drgonzo2k2

California

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

04-21-2013 18:12:45 | More by drgonzo2k2

hoppymcgee

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

04-10-2013 02:45:38 | More by hoppymcgee

Steve_Oldrati

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

03-28-2013 03:52:18 | More by Steve_Oldrati

slay

Delaware

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

03-25-2013 00:08:36 | More by slay

gestyr

Pennsylvania

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

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a Libbey Stout/Porter glass.

A: Pours a deep and mysterious opaque black with a nice thick mocha colored head which lasts and lasts.

S:Chocolate, some rye spiciness, slight fruitiness

T: Chocolate, dark malts, roasty, spicy, slightly fruity. Not much hops flavor, no lingering bitterness.

M: Full bodied and satisfying. No burn from the carbonation, no alcohol heat.

O: Great job, guys. This is a really good beer. I will buy this again if I can find it. It works well on a winter evening.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 23:48:34 | More by gestyr

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.7%

03-07-2013 19:35:55 | More by orangesol

LambicKing

Virginia

4/5  rDev -2.7%

03-07-2013 03:34:49 | More by LambicKing

nimrod979

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours blackwith a two finger thing light brown head. Retention isn't overwhelming but I have a nice little layer sticking around. Nice lacing.

Aroma: Roasted malt and cocoa. Nothing overwhelming.

Taste: Thick chocolatey flavor. with roasted malts, rye, bittersweet dry cocoa, and hints of coffee.

Mouthfeel: Full body with a nice medium roasted malt flavor profile highlighted by the rich velvety chocolate. A bit heavy as a porter, more on the stout side. ABV is not a problem here. Carbonation is very soft.

Very good solid beer from DuClaw. Doesn't disappoint with the chocolate. The rye adds a little bit of spice on the overall feel.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 22:06:23 | More by nimrod979

Hanzo

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

03-04-2013 07:44:46 | More by Hanzo

IrishColonial

Virginia

4/5  rDev -2.7%

02-23-2013 19:54:31 | More by IrishColonial

MADPolo

Florida

4/5  rDev -2.7%

02-21-2013 13:49:19 | More by MADPolo

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -20.9%

02-11-2013 00:07:50 | More by ejimhof

runner440

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

01-19-2013 15:43:08 | More by runner440

philbe311

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A - A finger and a half worth of late developing densely packed medium brown colored slightly creamy froth with a slightly rocky top... Solid retention... Once receded, what's left is a rich creamy full veil of lacing... The color is a solid black that lets no light leak in... Mostly still with just a couple of micro-sized bubbles seen at the very top of the glass...

S - An interesting and complex nose... Sweet milk chocolate... Caramel... Nougat... Some light roasted malt... A touch of booziness... Perhaps a slight bit of rye buried way beneath the surface...

T - The complexity of the nose intensifies on the palate... The sweet rich milk chocolate is first to materialize... Next is a slight touch of roasted malt... Then some caramel... on the finish the rye spiciness kicks into high gear in a very satisfying fashion...

M - On the fuller side of medium bodied... Smooth... Light carbonation... Smooth... Crisp... The finish has a touch of chalkiness...

D - This is an outstanding American Porter... The 9% ABV is dangerously well hidden... This one is quite quaffable... Lots of complexity and no real negatives to speak out... I have teh barrel aged version in the cellar and am giddy with anticipation knowing what the base brew now tastes like... Another excellent offering from DuClaw...

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 02:27:06 | More by philbe311

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

22oz bottle received via Growling at the Moon. Thanks for the brew, Dan!

Poured into an imperial pint, formed a 1/4"brown head over the opaque dark brown/black brew. Head fizzes away slowly, with leggy lacing. Aroma is dark sweetness, spices, and alcohol.

Taste begins with roasty maltiness, rye brings some spices in the middle, and warmth coasts us into the close. Mouthfeel is pretty smooth, and drinkability is good for the abv. Not all I hoped, but not a bad brew either.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 01:08:32 | More by ppoitras

maximum12

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to my favorite Captain, CaptCleveland, for encouraging my rye obsession (with this & the barrel-aged version, which we'll be getting to soon). 22 oz. bottle split with my wife.

Pour is dark black & a bit fizzy for a porter. Nose is quite the hottie - angry, bitter chocolate leaps out, melded with hard-edged roast. Tons of bitterness. I like where this is going.

Imperial Chocolate Rye Porter is a marriage I would not object to. 'Wow' is the first word dripping off my lips. Chocolate is simultaneously bitter & sweet, though the sweet is submerged in the rampaging bittering. The rye lends a gentle, peppery undercurrent & is clearly second chair here. Malts sweeten up the aftertaste, but the bitterness sticks around like a visiting lingerie model. I've already sucked down half my allotment & I'm eyeing my wife's glass. Maybe I can get her to leave the room. Just for a minute. For her own good, you know.

This is an excellent beer. The balance of the porter, chocolate, & hint of rye is exquisite. Now I'm jonesing for the barrel-aged version to see how it stacks up: too bad it's a school night.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 03:15:54 | More by maximum12

Lebby

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%

01-06-2013 05:24:16 | More by Lebby

doggydaddy

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

12-29-2012 20:40:10 | More by doggydaddy

mbs11

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

12-28-2012 23:22:21 | More by mbs11

ScottP

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -2.7%

12-26-2012 23:02:58 | More by ScottP