Narragansett Porter - Narragansett Brewing Co.

Schmidts

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +26%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours Black as coal with a 2 inch head that is mocha brown colored.
Smells of Chocolate and coffee. Taste notes of Chocolate,caramell and Toffee, it is very creamy and flavorful. It is smooth with just a touch of bitterness it rolls down very nice.
It is a very drinkable Porter and with just having two 16 oz cans tonight it has become a new favorite a Very Good Porter in the tradition of the American Porters I drank when I was young. Give this Porter a try You will grow to love it. Glad that it has finally come to Pa!

It is a winner!

Serving type: can

02-16-2011 23:21:07 | More by Schmidts

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

4.38/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

16oz can purchased at McKinnon's in Salem, NH. Pours an opaque black body with well over an inch of light tan head that persists nicely and eventually subsides leaving some decent lacing. Dark chocolate, caramel, and coffee notes rule the aroma with just the slightest hint of alcohol. Roasty at first, with the taste of dark chocolate covered espresso beans, nut, caramel notes, and a hint of butterscotch toward the finish. Medium to full in body with moderate carbonation. Wow. This was a lot better than I was expecting (even though I love the lager). Definitely making this a regular - especially for the price!

Serving type: can

05-31-2011 21:36:48 | More by MrHurmateeowish

Dopplebock

Rhode Island

4.33/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

For those, like myself, that really enjoy a microbrew style porter that also is easy to drink, Narragansett Brewing Co. has truly delivered a strong result. Pouring a dark brown color, there is a strong aroma of roasted malt dominating this porter. The mouthful is also very satisfying. The bitter, roasted character is wonderfully balanced by subtle flavors of caramel, hops, and even coffee. The porter is not overly thick, making it a prime choice for those who are expanding their tastes into the microbrew/dark beer categories or those who simply love to savor a satisfying, flavorful porter on a cold winter day. Overall, I find this to be a very successful American Porter that I highly recommend to both new and experienced beer aficionados.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2008 18:35:57 | More by Dopplebock

spwalshesq

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep dark near black. Nice medium head lingers a while. Aroma is there, but not strong. Some hop aroma is present with notes of chocolate. The highlight of this beer is its taste. It resembles a chocolate stout -- malty, sweet, big cocoa with some bitter roasty coffee, medium body/mouthfeel. A very enjoyable and drinkable beer. A great beer for the price ($8+ for a six of pounders). Narragansett continues to impress. They also make one of the better summer ales around.

Serving type: can

05-24-2012 02:47:19 | More by spwalshesq

snilsen13

Georgia

4.23/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I'm very up on this beer. It has the right color and the normal thin head of a porter. What more can you expect? It smells, hardly at all like anything but what do you expect of a porter? It tastes smooth and mainly of roast chocolate and ends on a mild bitter note - not fancy, but because of the alcohol content (7%) there is an added warmth that just it up a notch. The mouthfeel is thick but not too thick and complements the flavor really well.

Overall, it gets added points because its $9 for 6 pint cans. You CAN'T beat that price for a beer this simple and good. Naragansett beers are often like this: excellent representations of the style, not fancy, and at a great price. This one may be my favorite, but their Bock is also and outstanding value.

Serving type: can

02-13-2013 19:34:33 | More by snilsen13

OatmattStout

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

very excited to see this was contract brewed at Cottrell Brewery which makes excellent beers in IMHO. Don't particularly get the warm fuzzys about contract brewing.

Pours black as coal with a slight ruby background in bright light.

The head is deep tan and substantial with average lacing.

The nose is really nice with sweet biscuity grains and roasted malts.

The taste has a very appealing roasted malt backbone with a substantial sweetness. Not as dry as some porters but does have a somewhat dry hop finish to balance out sweetness.

For me a very nice porter with a medium mouthfeel making this a perfect session brew. I was not suprised to see a this coming out of cottrell.

CAN UPDATE: grabbed a six of 16oz cans and these are brewed in genesse brewery in rochester. I noticed a bit of flattening in flavor profile overall. It to me seems to have lost some of its complexity and have to attribute to new brewing location (or maybe i am just loosing it).

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2009 22:44:52 | More by OatmattStout

Fernans

Rhode Island

4.22/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is Narragansett's best product. I'll say this. It is one of the best porter's I've had.
A: Pitch with nice caramel head
S: Coffee
T: Coffee notes with slight hop finish
MF: Easy, finish is not long but clean
OA: I like this one a lot. Had it tap first and buy the cans when I can. Hard to find on tap though.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2011 02:57:28 | More by Fernans

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Never realized that Narragansett made anything besides their lager and cream ale, but obviously I was mistaken. When I saw this, I knew I had to try it. This is being reviewed from a 16oz can.

A: Pours a very deep, roast color with a thick, 1-in nutty, caramel colored head that leaves a lot of sticky lacing.

S: Aroma consists of roasted malts, creamy chocolate, espresso, and molasses.

T: I get some deep roasted malts in the initial flavor with some plum or other dark fruit like raisin or prune. Through the middle of the taste, I get some espresso, nuts and a surprising dose of hops. This beer finishes with some chocolate notes and a bready, dry finish.

M: Really thick, sticks to the palate quite a bit. Alcohol is not hidden that much but is blended with the flavors well. This is a slow sipper for sure.

O: A surprisingly good porter, very strong character and uses an abundance of hops that you normally wouldn't find in a typical porter. Narragansett is pretty much know for their lager, but this beer proves their versatility in crafting. Big thumbs up for this beer!

Serving type: can

12-14-2012 06:02:15 | More by SouljaSaia17

samyoung

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Trader Joes delivers the Massachusetts (via Rochester, NY) goods. Narragansett lager was decent, but I am looking for a whole lot more in the porter.

A - Looks really good; dark, oil black with about a one-inch head that dissipated rather quickly.
S - Chocolate, oats and hops.
T - Hop-chocolate up front taste melting into barley-bitterness.
M - Seems thick at first yet fails to stick.
D - Very smooth and drinkable.

I really enjoyed this one. Narragansett knows exactly what they are doing - it did not disappoint.

Serving type: can

02-24-2011 05:30:48 | More by samyoung

mterrence5

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have had this in the cans many times. And once on tap. Very drinkable porter. Doesn't overpower.

This doesnt poor well from the can as it is not very carbonated. Outta the tap it pours better.

Light in the mouth for a porter. Matly and very sweet chocolate tasting. Mild coffee notes. Slightly bitter finish. Very very smooth.

Outta the tap the taste seemed magnified greatly. The chocolate taste was almost overpowering and you could feel the ABV but not taste it. It seemed alot fuller in body as well. Almost like drinking chocolate liquer.

I could drink this year round if it stayed cold out but in the winter its a home run.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2011 20:30:38 | More by mterrence5

CrookedStill

Alabama

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours jet black with a dense tan head.

first thing I notice is lots of roasted malts followed by a subtle sweetness.

taste follows the nose. roasted character upfront followed by caramel sweetness. ends on a chocolaty note. no trace of alcohol.

medium mouthfeel with a low amount of carbonation that's about standard for porters.

I really enjoyed this beer. while there wasn't any one thing that really jumped out at me it was still a very solid porter and much better than many I've tried. i also have to mention that I really liked the graphics on the can, very old school. glad I got the chance to try it and am sorry this is my last one.

Serving type: can

09-15-2011 00:32:13 | More by CrookedStill

Coorskid33

Rhode Island

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A~ Black/dark brown in color. Very dark with a 2 finger head that had little retention, and minimally laced the glass.

S~ Malt with a pinch of maltyness. Chocolate-E.

T~ Crisp and smooth as hell. Good stuff. I really tasted the chocolate as it was the dominate trait. There is not really an after taste, but it left me wanting more. Really nice hops flavor to it too.

M~ Chocolate malt with great carbonation. A plus in my book.

D~ I loved this beer. Not really watery, but not thick either. It seems the more I drink, the more I like it. It is very good and complex to me. I def recommend trying it to any beer drinker, both rookies and veterans.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2009 02:40:43 | More by Coorskid33

erosier

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

L: Pours a nice dark brown, almost black with a tall but light medium bodied brown colored head that laces the glass some on the way down.
S: Smells of sweet roasted malts, some darker burnt malts, hints of caramel, coffee, and chocolate all in the nose.
T: Really nice mix of toasted, roasted, and slightly burnt malts for a very nice malty backbone followed by hints of caramel, coffee, and chocolate. Really this is a lot more than I was expecting.
M: Very smooth, lighter bodied yet full flavored, perfect amount of carbonation.
D: Very drinkable, this is a good porter and a really nice representation of the style while still maintaining a very modest amount of alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2010 13:24:34 | More by erosier

BMasi

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

After the success of Fest and the quick sell-out I bought a case of Narragansett Porter without having tried it first. Luckily I had some trusted opinion on it before I committed, but it was well worth it.

The Porter comes out of the can with a silky slick pour. The liquid has a syrupy appearance and a dark brown hue. The head is a frothy brown with great retention and produces nice lacing even as it recedes. The nose is heavy on espresso and chocolate. The roasty malts provide a nicely balanced sweet toffee aroma.

The flavor is full-bodied and carries a biting smokiness. The roasted malts are delicious and provide for tons of flavor. Brown sugar and molasses sweeten up the beer a bit, but the hop profile and smoke keep it in check. The mouthfeel is light overall. Its certainly not as robust as many other porters, but that makes for excellent drinkability.

Serving type: can

12-05-2010 21:16:33 | More by BMasi

rowingbrewer

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours dark brown with a good sized tan head. The smell is sweet malts a little roasty and hints of chocolate. The flavor follows suit it's chocolatey smooth and delicious with a touch of hops. The mouthfeelmis medium bodied with good carbonation. Definitely a great buy especially for the money.

Serving type: can

08-26-2011 11:21:27 | More by rowingbrewer

Hibernator

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Narragansett Porter
16 oz can
Served in a 20 oz tulip glass

Pours a jet black with an awesome head. A massive, fluffy head forms. Great sticky lacings appear on the side of the glass.

Roasted notes in the nose with some sweetness, like a cinnamon bun. A hint of hot chocolate too.

Dark roasted malts with distinct coffee flavors. A touch of espresso or French Roast appeal. Heavy dose of chocolate malts with hints of milk chocolate & Baker's chocolate. Mini hop bite on the finish. The 7% ABV is very well hidden.

There is a soft mouthfeel and low carbonation, which only adds the drinkability. So smooth and drinkable.

I purchased a 6 pack of this beer tonight for $8.99 (16 oz cans) and I'm pleasantly surprised. A really good Porter, especially for the price.

Cheers!

Serving type: can

02-26-2011 22:58:02 | More by Hibernator

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.05/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

When I walked by and saw these 16oz cans of porter sitting on the display I just couldn't resist taking them home with me. Like my daughters at the pet store, only I had the money in my pocket to make the purchase.
Pours a pretty solid dark brown/black color with a big fluffy tan head that slowly dissipates to a cap on top. Oh my god there is actually roast in the aroma. Lots of coffee and hint of chocolate on the nose with a slightly tart fruitiness in there as well. Taste is sweet up front with that acridic dark roasted malt flavor. Coffee roast dominates the taste with some distant tart fruit and wet dog in there. Finishes like a coffee coolada from Dunkins, sweet with a lingering coffee bitterness. Creamy bordering on bitter in the mouth, medium level of carbonation and body. I really wasn't expecting much from this, but I was pleasantly surprised. Reminds me a bit of a dry Irish stout. This certainly isn't going to rock your world but is a nice drinker. I might just have to put this in the rotation every now and again.

Serving type: can

12-17-2010 01:13:29 | More by johnnnniee

Onenote81

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Always excited to see this one return to my local shop. Grabbed a sixer and was on my way. Drank the first 5 over the last week and saved the last one for a proper review.

Poured into a pint glass, and this one pours beautifully. A deep dark black with a bit of light on the edges. Perfect 1-inch mocha head on top that retained perfectly throughout the drink. After each sip, a sticky ring of lace stuck to the glass. I had to take a picture when all was said and done as I've never seen such perfect lace rings on my glass. A rare perfect 5 for this one.

The aroma is of chocolate powder, dry grainy bread, a little alcohol. Sweet dark fruit aroma noted as well. The body is a little hefty, but still slick enough for my liking to sip straight from the can. Not too filling. Chocolate flavors abound, semi-sweet and rich. Dry cardboard like flavor, husk, a tiny bit of ethanol noted as well. Good roasted character on this one. Light char on the finish.

All-in-all, this is a great Porter, and one of the best from a can, no doubt!

Serving type: can

01-04-2013 18:08:12 | More by Onenote81

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Narragansett Porter pours black into the glass. Held to the light some brown highlights appear along the sides. On top, a huge, frothy tan head forms. The foam dissolves slowly to a thick sheet on the surface leaving behind lots of netted lacing on the glass.

The aroma is not very strong. Notes of chocolate, roast malt, toffee and an earthy nuttiness are present.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is light on the palate, dry with a moderate carbonated fizz throughout. The flavor is sweet and malty with notes of roasted malt, chocolate and toffee. A hint of dark fruit is present. Towards the end some grassy hop bitterness pokes through. Once gone the chocolate notes linger on the palate.

This is a tasty, easy drinking porter. A good example of the style. It's not loaded with roasted or chocolate malts like other porters, but is well balanced. Plus the low price and 16 oz. cans can't be beat.

Serving type: can

01-22-2011 20:59:13 | More by WanderingFool

GratefulBeerGuy

New Hampshire

4.03/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I love those 16 0z. cans! Pours out righteously dark, practically opaque with a beefy, smooth and thick heady cap, slowly dissipation, sticky lace continues.

The aroma is very nice, dark wheat and dark roasty malts, candy chocolate, creamy with a syrup sweetness. Very well rounded and inviting.

The flavor is just spot on Porter style, a hefty, smooth body of malt, dark charred wheat and grains, layers of syruppy chocolate, vanilla. Not a heavy, slick body, rather light in the middle which gives it a very easy to enjoy effect. A dry-earth and mild hop flavor adds just the right balance with gentle bitterness and dry mouthfeel.

I really dig this one, and you cannot beat the price of this stuff.

Serving type: can

12-24-2011 20:56:57 | More by GratefulBeerGuy

kylehay2004

Florida

4.03/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: large four finger milk chocolate colored head on a near jet black body. nice lacing.

S: middle range for strength. mostly roasted malts, coffee and chocolate.

T: roasted malts up front which transition to a very nice sweet milk chocolate flavor mixed with some mild hoppiness. espresso note in the background.

M: moderate carbonation and lighter side of medium body.

Overall: I like my porters to be more smokey. this one was like a chocolatey oatmeal stout or something. Still a good tasting beer.

Serving type: can

05-11-2012 01:23:09 | More by kylehay2004

alexgash

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16 oz. can.

Dark root beer brown body. Tall, towering, frothy, dark khaki brown head. Very nice lacing and retention. Nose of milk chocolate, roasted barley, light-roast coffee, nougat, cocoa nibs, and a little vanilla.

Toasted malts lead to smooth chocolatey flavors and cocoa nib bitterness. Sweetish dark fruits fill up the palate. Dark chocolate and light coffee bitterness increase into the finish. Licorice and vanilla notes in the end. Finish is bittersweet with plenty of lingering carob and semi-sweet chocolate. Medium bodied, with a slightly syrupy feel. Nice, especially for the price ($8 a sixer).

Serving type: can

12-22-2012 22:31:49 | More by alexgash

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.01/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This poured out as a nice deep brown color with a tan colored head on top. The retention and lacing are very good on this brew. The smell is roasted, slightly chocolatey and had an earthy yeast aroma. The taste is roasted with nice earthy flavor. The hops don't really come through all that much. The mouthfeel is medium bodied. Good carbonation also. Overall I was impressed with this beer . Much better than I expected.

Serving type: can

05-06-2013 03:37:39 | More by Knapp85

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour - deep, dark brown...almost black in appearance with an ultra-rich and thick looking off-white head on top. This ebony treat really looks great!

Aroma - malted milk balls, caramel, Nestle Quik, bitter coffee with whiffs of dark fruit.

Taste - creamy smooth, full-bodied with plenty of rich, malty flavor. Plenty of dark chocolate, cocoa, dark roast coffee and caramel malt as well. I do taste a little of that smokiness they mention in the brewery's description and feel it adds a very nice touch to the finish of this beer. Along with that bit of smokiness comes a nice amount of hop bitterness that comes with the American-style porters. I am impressed by this beer. Another well-done seasonal offering from the folks at Narragansett.

Overall - I love porters, especially when they're well-rounded. This one embodies all the flavor profiles I like and also has a creamy mouthfeel, a bitter/smoky finish and is full-bodied and not light on the tongue whatsoever. Lots of rich, heart flavors and perfect for anyone who loves the style or dark beers in general.

Would I buy more of it? - I would. Like their "Fest", a six-pack of 16 oz. cans is going for about $8 here in New England. Very affordable for a quality brew.

Serving type: can

12-03-2010 02:53:44 | More by indiapaleale

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

16oz can, says brewed by Narragansett Brewing Company, Rochester NY....High Falls now known as Genesee.

Here's some info I found on their website:

"The porter is brewed at Cottrell Brewery in Pawcatuck, Trinity Brewhouse in Providence, R.I. and High Falls Brewery in Rochester, N.Y., with Chinook hops for bitterness, Simcoe hops for aroma, black malt, pale malt, chocolate malt, Munich malt, crystal malt, roasted barley and ale yeast. The American-style porter is 7 percent Alcohol by Volume and 28 IBUs."

A nice near pitch black colour with a 2 finger head of tannish foam and a bit of lacing.

The smell is kind of weak with just a bit of roasted malt, maybe some dark chocolate, and a light sweet note.

The taste trumps the smell. Bitter and milk chocolate is what I'm tasting the most. Some roasted malt but not a whole lot. I *do* like how the bitterness has the slight edge bringing a nice dry finish. Not too shabby of an American Porter and heck, I just noticed the 7%abv. Still a pretty drinkable son of a gun.

Serving type: can

12-08-2010 00:31:35 | More by Bitterbill