Lucky 7 Porter - Evolution Craft Brewing Company

vacax

California

2.28/5  rDev -38.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours fairly black with a moderate tan head with good retention and unspectacular lace. Smells of fruit (apples, peaches), smoke, phenols, and adhesives. Tastes smokey, phenolic, with a bit of fruit esters and an ashy cookielike finish. Major DMS and phenolic off flavors. Body is medium, a bit high on the carbonation to pick up any thickness which would be nice on a porter. Not too drinkable considering the harsh nose and off-flavors.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2010 04:22:30 | More by vacax

Rhettroactive

Virginia

2.28/5  rDev -38.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

From 12oz bottle to Bruges hybrid glass on 3/3/11

A: 2.5 finger head on a good pour. Dark brown to lighter black in color. No substantial lacing to speak of.

S: Pork fat and soy sauce. It's coming off like a rauchbier, and not in a good way. Funky - no hints of malt or hops. This one may be infected.

T: It's like drinking a nickel dipped BBQ smoker. Hints of metal and large quantities of liquid smoke overload the palate. As it warms a bit, I do get a little bit of chocolate malt, but we're talking minor traces.

M: Lighter then what I was looking for out of this one. It's average, but nothing special.

O: I had this one on tap back in October and though I didn't take any notes (and was rather inebriated), I'm 110% positive it was an entirely different (and signifigantly better) experience.

I'm under the belief that this bottle is infected - I questioned writing this review. After deliberation, I felt it was the right thing to do. I can vouch that it had been stored properly in both my own cellar and the shop where I purchased it. If in fact I'm correct and this is infected, I'm sure Evo wants to know.

I will certainly give this one another try, as Evolution Craft is one of my favorite up and comers. It's just too bad there might be others out there trying this for the first time and judging Evo soley on an infected batch.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2011 20:34:08 | More by Rhettroactive

mactrail

California

2.6/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Very anemic dark swill. Quite foamy in the glass, coarse mouthful of bubbles. Seems like the flavor has been wrung out, like making coffee with yesterday's grounds. Dry, sourish taste dominates. Aftertaste is the best thing about it, a dark roasted malt with just a hint of bitterness. Doesn't smell like much, but then the nose has some kind of dishwater to it. Where the flavor hits the back of the throat it's leftover burnt oatmeal.

I haven't tasted anything else from this brewery so I don't know if it's a representative sample or not. Bought at a quite upscale beer and wine store in Fredericksburg, VA.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 04:42:39 | More by mactrail

Dave1999

Virginia

2.73/5  rDev -26%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours pitch black with a small white head.

The smell is a kind of burning smell,roasted malts, seems to fade as the beer warms.

The taste is roasted bitter coffee, with an orange flavour coming through in the after taste.

Mouthfeel is pretty thin with medium carbonation.

Not a fan of this beer at all, I enjoyed evo's ipa but this beer is pretty close to a drain pour. Glad I only bought a single.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 00:08:12 | More by Dave1999

Sully

3.15/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This is a solid beer. However, there really aren't any outstanding characteristics. It is an easy drinking porter but it's a little watered down. I like my porters with more body and a fuller head. Great starter porter. And It does have a decent nose.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 17:23:03 | More by Sully

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

3.18/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Part of a haul of beer my parents bought me on their way back from Florida.

Poured from a 12oz. bottle with 2012 notched but no month notched.

Appearance: Pours a cola brown with an average head and some lacing.

Smell: Charcoal, roasted coffee, toasted malt and a sweet nose.

Taste: Cold coffee, some sweet toffee but not much else.

Mouthfeel: Decent carbonation, smooth and not bad though certainly no porter robustness.

Overall: Doesn't stand out. A weak porter IMO.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 12:17:12 | More by papat444

jsanford

Georgia

3.2/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a Pint Glass. Another wonderful gift from THECPJ. Cheers, Shane!

A - Pours a jet black with a decent khaki-colored head that eventually recedes to a thick haze. Really nice retention, leaves some soapy lacing.
S - Very smoky, with a generous dose of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt. Surprised by the smokiness in this, more like a Rauchbier.
T - More dark roasted malt, bitter chocolate, coffee, and...ham. Yep, really smokey and sweet, tastes like a glazed smoked ham. Not a bad thing, this would be great for a Rauchbier-beginner, but not at all what I was expecting.
M - Medium-bodied with fairly crisp carbonation. Nice and smooth.
O - Not bad, I finished the bottle without problem, despite not being in the mood for "smoke". Not sure what to make of this, reading other reviews there seems to be some mention of a smoky beer, whereas others make no mention of it. What is this beer supposed to taste like?

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 04:19:26 | More by jsanford

vandemonian

Maryland

3.23/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Evolution Lucky 7 Porter isn't so great. It's not unpleasant but is a bit watery and flavourless

A: Black colour and a huge 3 cm head that lasts really well. 4.5

S: I smell yeast, but the maltiness is not that evident here. 3

T: Malty with some acidic qualities and a little bit of sweetness. The maltiness is subdued and a little disappointing. 3

M: A bit thin. 3.5

O: 3.5

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 01:18:24 | More by vandemonian

deereless

Colorado

3.28/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Serious issues with the carbonation - upon opening the bottle it overflowed and even a gentle pour down the side of the glass gave me a half inch of beer to 5 inches of head, the resulting head is mildly brown and looks reminds me of ocean froth, dark brown to black in color with a faint crimson hue - 2.25, S: Lots of dark roasts and faint raisin on the nose, quite a bit of charring, there is a muffled alcohol burn - 3.00, T: Like the nose there is quite a bit of charring as well as a burnt brown sugar taste, significant chocolate and some pine tar, mildly sweet - 3.50, M: Body is a little on the side of thin, slight grittiness - 3.00, D: The issues with the carbonation really take away from the beer experience, otherwise the palate profile is nice and quite drinkable - 3.50

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2010 22:52:49 | More by deereless

OakedCanuck

Washington

3.3/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into shaker

A - Pours a dark brown with lighter brownish edging against the light. Tan head, retained well.

S - Roast coffee, chocolate, smoke, leaves.

T - Typical porter with some smoke. Chocolate intermingled with the slightly sweet caramel malts. Is a grassy hop bitterness to it and a touch of pepper

M - Medium, drying, no distinguishable ABV as it is low and well integrated

O - An okay porter. Easy to drink as the ABV is low and not noticeable however it just isn't that much fun or interesting.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 16:43:32 | More by OakedCanuck

brystmar

New York

3.33/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottled Dec 2011.

A nice looking beer with pretty good head retention. Malty and bready aroma with a bunch of oxidization too.

Taste begins with plenty of malty sweetness. Can definitely taste the 7 malts they used. Finishes less sweet but not dry like most porters. An ok brew, but there are plenty of better choices out there.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2012 01:25:40 | More by brystmar

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.35/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12oz bottle obtained via Veterans BIF from mday. Thanks for the opportunity.

Poured into an imperial pint, dark brown foam from top to bottom to start. After waiting forever for settling, we've got a cloudy brown brew. Frothy head continues to last, with plentiful chunky lace. Aroma is chocolatey, but dominated by soapiness. Taste is sweet to start, root beer in the middle, with a lightly bitter close. Mouthfeel is smooth, and drinkability is pretty good. Wish the wait to start enjoying this brew wasn't so long.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2010 01:30:31 | More by ppoitras

brentk56

North Carolina

3.35/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: The first pour was all foam but the liquid slowly rose to provide a rather translucent chocolate base; over time, the head stiffened into a set of alpine peaks and just sat there, without dissipating

Smell: Very roasty, with a burnt toast and coffee character

Taste: Burnt bread, up front, with coffee tones developing by mid-palate; very roasty on the finish

Mouthfeel: Way overcarbonated and rather fizzy on the tongue - so much so that it was hard to detect the thickness of the body

Overall: Based on the other reviews, my bottle may not be representative, particularly in the carbonation issues; still, I think I got the same flavor profile - decent, but not top notch

Thanks, smokeypeat, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2011 01:54:51 | More by brentk56

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to THECPJ for another Evo Beer.

Pours a fluffy and big bubbled 1 finger head over very dark brown with touches of maroon light coming through, some fluffy lacing.

Nose has some reddish and brown malts, a bit syrupy as well, light toasty, brown sugar and molasses, some light herbal hops.

Taste starts a bit lighter than expected, toasty brown malts, some light brown sugar and molasses, light in overall malts, some light herbal hops, semi sweet, but no real dark heavy malts. Finishes still slightly sweet, just a hint of herbal malts and almost no bitterness, lingering syrups.

Mouth is med to slightly lighter bodied, decent carbonation.

Overall kinda meh, the body was too light, no real darker malt flavors to give it the porter flavors, more like a brown ale, not only are the hops way to light but they're the wrong kind IMO, using the herbal variety, it IS drinkable, so I'll give it that.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2011 01:20:20 | More by jlindros

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.4/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Received in trade from mdaschaf, thanks for the opportunity.
Pours a solid dark brown bordering on black with a good sized off white head that displays moderate retention and lace. Smells of light chocolate and brown sugar mostly. Has hints of earth and a slight mineral edge to it. Taste is mostly caramel and brown sugar with only a tease of chocolate in it. There's a hint of oxidation mixed in here with a hint of tart fruitiness and bits of earth and mineral water. Beautiful creamy silky smooth mouthfeel, moderate level of carbonation with a medium body. Decent porter but nothing earth shattering here. Oxidation and tartness seem quite out of place here.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 00:48:20 | More by johnnnniee

8ense1

Maryland

3.43/5  rDev -7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I've had this a number of times, both in growlers filled at the Delmar brewery and more recently in bottles at local distributors. My impressions have been uneven, and I can related to other reviewers who rate it down for "watery" or "metallic" taste qualities. I've had batches that could be described as either or both.

I think that it is a radically unstable recipe that does best in bottles, which allow the brew to settle down a bit before opening. It is very highly carbonated, however, and I think it is a serious mistake to pour it into a glass, then wait (as one reviewer said) for the foam to settle down. The foam is, in my experience, absolutely essential to the taste.

So, as barbaric as it seems, I recommend getting this in bottles, letting them get good and cold in the fridge, then popping the cap and drinking them straight out of the neck of the bottle, ideally naked and sweaty from the waist up like Marlon Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire." That way it bursts into foam in your mouth, allowing you to appreciate the complex flavor.

The taste is earthy/smoky, with a "funky" quality that I puzzled over for a long time before deciding that it was most like the quality of fermented oolong tea. It is very bold and lingers in the mouth, so while the alcohol content is modest, I find that one bottle, while enjoyable, is enough for the night.

One caution: if you do drink it from the bottle, don't hold onto it between sips, as the heat from your hand will cause it to foam up without warning and bubble out of the top into your lap.

For all its problems, I continue to keep a few bottles around the house in case Blanche duBois comes by for a visit.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2010 17:11:59 | More by 8ense1

yourefragile

District of Columbia

3.43/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Victorias.

In every regard this is an average, acceptable Anerican porter that does very little to distinguish itself. Appearance is a rich, dark brown with a quickly fading light tan head that leaves pretty webs of lacing. Aroma is mild, malty and roadty with a faint dark chocolate note. Flavor is robust and malty rich with minimal hop, roast or astringent flavors. Mouthfeel is slightly over carbonated and a thin watery finish. My favorite of the Evilution beers I've tried so far, but still nothing worth seeking out and miles behind Edmund, founders, black butte, etc.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2010 23:20:37 | More by yourefragile

womencantsail

California

3.43/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thanks for this one, Bobby.

A: Pours a dark brown color with a sturdy khaki colored head and mild lacing.

S: A very strong smoke aroma to this beer. Some good roasted malt notes and maybe a bit of dark, bitter chocolate. Maybe a little bit of a soap in there. The smoke really dominates the nose, though.

T: Kind of harsh and slightly astringent. The smoke is again at the forefront and really makes up most of the flavor. A decent roasted malt flavor and just a bit of bitter dark chocolate.

M: The body is medium with a moderate carbonation and a drying feeling on the tongue.

D: An alright beer, even with its strong smokiness. Don't know if I'd want to drink a bottle, though.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 04:15:45 | More by womencantsail

mjw2808

Maryland

3.45/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

wow, only 12 reviews? Wheres all the Delmarva BA's at?
Poured a dark brownish black with almost no head that dissipated quickly and left no lacing. The nose is of roasted malt and brown sugar. The taste also has the roasted malt and brown sugar but also with a slight metalicy taste. Far from a watery beer, but it is more watery than many other porters ive had. Nice mouthfeel and drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2010 02:08:42 | More by mjw2808

alleykatking

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12oz bottle.

A- Pours a nice deep dark brown color almost black but not quite. One finger deep tan head shows medium retention. Good streaking lacing on the sides of the glass.

S- Nice smoked aroma to this right off the bat. Nice surprise I suppose. Roasted malts come through next with a coffee like roast in the backing. Hints of chocolate all throughout the aroma gives a nice balance to the bitterness.

T- Roasted malts come through on the front of the beer. This leads to like in the aroma a nice coffee roast with hints of chocolate. Middle of the beer shows a little more of chocolate coming through with a little alcohol flavor. Ending of the beer is a lot of smoke and chocolate not always blending together making for some interesting flavor with each sip. The alcohol does come through a little more each time as the beer warms up.

M- Medium mouthfeel. Carbonation is low for the style I thought. A bigger roast and hints of chocolate and smoke left on the palate. Aftertaste is some warming alcohol, smoke, chocolate, and light coffee roast. Flavors were not always blended well but I think the smoke was making it hard to blend well. No aftertaste in this beer at all. Light alcohol drying on the palate.

O- This beer was above average for the style just with the interesting smokey aroma and flavor to it. The ABV never really stood out and for this a couple pints of this would be no problem. Well as long as you like the smoke aroma and flavor. A nice shot at the style from Evolution...would buy this one again.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2011 03:26:24 | More by alleykatking

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A: Pours a very dark burnt sienna color. It's not completely opaque at all, like many porters tend to be. The head is a one finger offwhite shade that fades into a thin film with some collaring around the edge of the glass.

S: A fairly chocolaty porter; it's more dry than milky sweet, though. Some nuts, dark unroasted malts, and hazelnut coffee tie these qualities together. Not particularly grabbing or expressive, but good.

T: Even drier than the nose suggested. There are some roasted nuts to start, some lactose cream flavors in the midtaste, and a finish of coffee with just a hint of dry chocolate. I also notice a twinge of finishing hops; not just in the light bitterness, but with the mildly acidic and mineral-esque kick in the aftertaste, as well.

M: Light bodied, with good carbonation, and a crisp, dry finishing kick. About what I expect from a porter.

O: For better or worse, it's a standard porter. Granted, it's a standard porter that's executed quite well; however this lacks many qualities that would enable it to stand out from its brethren. It's one to consider purchasing, but perhaps not one to seek out.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 18:51:21 | More by ThisWangsChung

DoubleSimcoe

New York

3.53/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Evolution Lucky 7 Porter on tap at The Cat's Eye Pub in Baltimore, MD. Served in a pint. I have also had this beer at the Southern Boys Beer Festival in Salisbury, MD.

Appearance: Incredibly black, big white fluffy head. Low carbonation, good lacing. Nice decent appearing, typical of a porter, nothing outstanding.

Smell: Comes through as roasty, a little watery. Some hoppy bitterness, mild. Aromas of coffee poured into the filter and let to sit there until the next morning. A bit of a stale bathroom whiff, sticky piss and crusted dingleberries.

Taste: Thin outright, followed by a smooth touch of roasty bitterness and a tad of vanilla-like sweetness. Could use more body and flavor, a bit of this and a tad of that.

Mouthfeel: Low carbonation, medium-to-low body, chewy finish. Nice roastiness all around.

Drinkability: Great, chuggable, sessionable. A bit boring, though, and thin. Not too enjoyable, a bit disappointing but super drinkable.

I think Evolution brews great beers, but this one is just average-to-good.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2010 23:26:06 | More by DoubleSimcoe

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.53/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from Chevy Chase.

Pours a dark brown with reddish brown highlights. There's a creamy, light brown head that recedes to a disk, leaving some lace. The nose is solid. Roast, chocolate, coffee and caramel are all present, though the balance leans towards the chocolate and caramel. A mild hop character is present, a little leafy. The palate opens with a blend of roasty bitterness and some caramel sweetness. Some chocolate liqueur is also present. Coffee appears mid-palate, this beer dries out on the finish, with a mild smoky, roasty malt character lingering. A little thin in body, this beer is light, feeling a little watery, and is moderately carbonated. A decent, above-average porter.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 01:10:01 | More by DefenCorps

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - Pours a dark brown a huge tan to dark tan head that is very fizzy. Streaks of lacing left on the glass.

S - Coffee and nutty.

T - Smokey, coffee, and nuts.

D - Lots of carbonation, but a touch bitter.

O - What a porter is expected to taste like

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 05:16:28 | More by HuskyinPDX

mralphabet

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into pint glass

A: Poured a very dark brown color with about a finger & a 1/2 or tan colored head that settled to a nice ring with good lacing.

S: I'm getting a smokey aroma, mixed with dark chocolate, cherries and sweet malt.

T: Definitely sweet, a little astringent upfront ... then the smoke and chocolate kicks in mid pallet .... finish is mainly bitter chocolate.... 7 malts and they are all here.

M: Medium bodied... with a little creamy feeling. Moderate carbonation throughout.. leaves the mouth a little on the dry side.

D: Pretty good porter... I like the smokiness, it adds a nice level to the bitter chocolate... Plus the low ABV makes it a pretty good session beer.... worth looking for...

My first Evolution brew and it was a good one.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 23:12:06 | More by mralphabet