Black Marlin Porter - Ballast Point Brewing Company

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From BeerAdvocate Magazine Volume II, Issue II:

The carbonation off of a hard pour gives a quick, cascading effect to the head, and what a head it is--a huge rocky, bubbly mass that has some great clinging action on the glass. Nearly all of the way black with dark brown on the edges. Mild charred grain, faint smoke, charcoal, dark-roasted coffee and a little bit of black currant in the aroma. So damn smooth, we're not sure if a beer could be any more smooth. Creamy medium body. Heavy amount of mocha flavor here, with a more cocoa powder and medium-roasted coffee mix. The hops are on too, balancing and throwing some flavor at the taste buds with herbal and faint tobacco flavors. Hint of black currant and chocolate cake batter in the middle. Dry finish with mineral and charred wood flavors.

Jam-packed with flavor and very drinkable, too drinkable if there is such a thing. Ballast Point gives the American Porter respect.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2009 19:34:47 | More by BeerAdvocate

Rosanne

California

4/5  rDev +0.8%

06-19-2013 03:31:46 | More by Rosanne

brentblack1

New York

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%

06-14-2013 21:57:13 | More by brentblack1

Gagnonsux

Texas

4/5  rDev +0.8%

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doremite

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%

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JMUbrewz

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

06-12-2013 20:02:50 | More by JMUbrewz

danwho

California

4/5  rDev +0.8%

06-12-2013 00:57:05 | More by danwho

JesseMurdock

Hawaii

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%

06-10-2013 08:22:08 | More by JesseMurdock

jayhunter357

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +0.8%

06-09-2013 18:25:45 | More by jayhunter357

rdooley

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

06-01-2013 02:02:51 | More by rdooley

DenverBigRed

Colorado

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-31-2013 23:10:49 | More by DenverBigRed

BryantForestry

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%

05-31-2013 02:37:03 | More by BryantForestry

Liondiscs

California

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%

05-30-2013 11:41:22 | More by Liondiscs

GuttaMane138

Florida

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-28-2013 09:14:15 | More by GuttaMane138

bca115

California

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-28-2013 04:48:05 | More by bca115

jjboesen

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Ballast Point is another great San Diego brewery – and one that is new to me of late. Having visited this fine city during Beer Week 2012, I experienced the embarrassment of beer riches that are available to thirsty visitors. Any brewer wishing to make it here must make some great beer. Ballast Point, with their fish motif, need not worry about anything.

The Black Marlin opens like any good porter should: a massive head that shimmies and shimmers as it slowly sinks into the glass. The crown is foamy as the body is dark. There are some pleasant whiffs of molasses and cocoa powder – much like any good porter. The initial sip evokes toast and chocolate with subtle nibs of coffee and caramel.

The mouthfeel seemed to be a tad chalky at first; this initial sensation dissipated as a comfortable maltiness slowly replaced it to make for a wonderful balance at the finish. This is a substantial and filling porter that has me hook, line and sinker. (Sorry.)

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 00:27:30 | More by jjboesen

erialbill

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-22-2013 18:09:29 | More by erialbill

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Texas

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-21-2013 23:41:18 | More by IrishGermanAmerican

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-17-2013 12:23:31 | More by InspectorBob

jwk7324

California

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

05-16-2013 05:43:23 | More by jwk7324

Zbeetleman

California

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%

05-15-2013 03:37:41 | More by Zbeetleman

KDE

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

05-13-2013 16:13:45 | More by KDE

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Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

05-13-2013 10:56:07 | More by MDDMD

corysmith01

New York

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

05-09-2013 02:11:05 | More by corysmith01

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New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

05-07-2013 00:29:56 | More by wonothesane42