Walker's Reserve - Porter - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

champ103

Texas

4.26/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Pinthouse Pizza in Austin.

A: Pours a dark brown, nearly black color. A two finger tan head forms with good retention. Plenty of lace is left behind.
S: Roasted malt, big bittersweet chocolate aromas, coffee, and bread.
T: Follows the nose with a Roasted malt flavor that is not over barring. Again, that lovely bittersweet bakers chocolate flavors, light coffee and bread/biscuit flavors. Very nice.
M/D: A medium body with good carbonation. Crisp, but smooth at the same time. Man, FW always makes superbly drinkable beers. This is no exception.

Another excellent, well made, and to style beer from Firestone Walker. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2013 15:38:13 | More by champ103

dln646

Sweden

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Today's tasting note takes place at the Blind Tiger Ale House at Bleecker Street in New York. On tap I'm being poured a shadowy brown beer with a fine lacing and a in-between off-white and tan medium head.

Relatively fresh and light, it carries beams of chocolate, yeast, wood and complex sweet malts to my nose.

While the palate is more chunky, it still has an unsullied soul. There's unquestionably plenty of roasted malts here that reflects characteristics of coffee, chocolate, toffee and a bit of wood. With only 5,8% alcohol I'm surprised by the robust malt body that comes across as much more mouth-filling and soft than I would've forecasted. With a to some extent floral bitterness, the flavor intensity and malt body makes sure that the body stays in sheer balance. A silky carbonation concludes an accurately energetic, and extensive finish. Espresso-like the finish is expanding in structuring bitterness and flavor for almost minutes to come.

I've drunk countless low-quality watery porters lately, so the Walkers Reserve is certainly a game-changer. Thanks Blind Tiger and Firestone Walker! http://quaffable.org/?p=534

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2013 18:16:35 | More by dln646

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Blind Tiger in NYC.

Black color with tan head. Some lacing on sides of pint.

Smell is roasted malts, coffee and hops.

Taste is heavy charred malts, nuts, coffee and dark chocolates.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth.

Overall good with a nice balance of charred malt and hop bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 15:14:15 | More by TrappistJohnMD

Johnnyjoe13

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Recommended in 1/6 barrel by Binny's, expensive as hell. Decent porter, but not remarkable. I liked it, but it followed Edmund Fitzgerald from Great Lakes and quite honestly did not stand up to it well. I've had many porters on tap in the basement and I'm hard pressed to defend the cost of this one vs the enjoyment.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2012 03:08:12 | More by Johnnyjoe13

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Catching up on some reviews from notes.

Good looking dark, rich brown color. Tall pile of foam that dropped down to a thin skin.
The aroma has typical roasted malts, but also some hint of vanilla and oak barrel. Rich flavors, molasses and burnt sugar to start. More vanilla and oak as in the smell, finishes with a touch of smokiness. A full bodied porter, but not too sticky sweet or cloying. Low level of carboonation keep it smooth. Very drinkalbe, in fact I had 2 at this sitting.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2012 22:11:05 | More by BigBry

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.23/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from tap into pint at Yardhouse Scottsdale.
No really big head but a slight tan foam. Really nice chocolatey roasted malt and slight hoppy aroma.
Taste is of a slightly bitter/hoppy chocolatey roasted malt and coffee. A bit of sweet vanilla. Really nicely done.
Well balanced and full of flavor.
I've been eyeing this for a while, and my only regret is not trying sooner. This is a fantastic porter.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2012 03:02:02 | More by DrinkSlurm

challenja

Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served On Tap 4oz pour at the Black Squirrel in Adams Morgan DC.

A: A dark chocolate with Costa Rican coffee that off shoots into two distinct colors water thin laced off white head that disappears quickly. A good sign of a solid porter.

S: Mocha, Costa Rican coffee, 65% cocoa.

T: This nice good Porter. Medium carbonation, dark chocolate, Costa Rican, red berries and medium malt balls.

M: Medium Carbonation, a nice slick mouth feel, froth and milk. Quite tasty.

O: A really good drinkable Porter ranked in the top tier but not top 5. Should really be drank in Cask.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2012 21:31:07 | More by challenja

drtth

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a standard shaker pint glass. Glass of cold water on the side to sip from periodically.

Appearance: As served the beer is a very dark brown with a 1/8” off white head that recedes fairly soon leaving lacing on the sides of the glass, mostly speckles and leggy spider web. For about the first 1/3 of the beer sipping leaves a few scattered patches of lacing.

Smell: The aroma is simple and clean with touches of chocolate, coffee and vanilla..

Taste: The flavors are rich and complex with some roasted malt in the beginning and lightly citric hops emerging mid-way through. There is dark chocolate and dark caramel here with the light grapefruit of the hops providing a lightly bittered counterpoint to the light sweetness of the malt.

Mouthfeel: The mouth feel is medium bodied with light but persistent carbonation. The finish is medium long and begins with sweetness from the malt which gives way to the floral touches from the hops and ends lightly bittered and dry.

Drinkability and Overall Impression: This is a beer where each sip invites the next and it’s easy to lose track of how much one has had. I’ll certainly be willing to have more of this one. My overall impression is that this is a well made porter worth seeking out and having when one is in the mood for a porter. While there are a few other porters I’d prefer this one is just fine and well worth trying and revisiting.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 02:56:15 | More by drtth

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Walker's Reserve Porter has a dark brown body and two fingers of brown head. The head is rocky and substantial-looking, and it has very good retention and leaves a fine sheen of lacing on my glass.

The aroma has a lot of roasted malt, a dash of hops and a notes of both chocolate and coffee.

Roasted malts definitely dominate the flavor here, with loads of them. They are balanced out by a pretty good hop bite, that has some grapefruit and resin mixed in with a decent amount of bitterness. A little bit of dark fruit lingers in the background, but it is faint. In addition to the roasted flavors, a little bit of dry chocolate and coffee come through, with some molasses in there as well.

Full-bodied and smooth, Walker's Reserve Porter has a solid mouthfeel.

This is a beer I have tried a bunch of times and assumed I had already reviewed; I'm glad I checked after having a couple pints of this, because this is a good porter.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 00:41:35 | More by Hojaminbag

mdaschaf

Washington

3.73/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from notes. Had on tap at the Salty Pig in Boston.

A: Served in a pint glass, the beer is dark reddish/brown with a small tan head on top. Decent retention, slowly reducing to a thin layer on top. Sporadic lacing.

S: A combination of chocolate, cocoa, coffee, and a some lightly roasted malt. Overall it seemed to be a little weak though.

T: A bit more flavorful than the nose lead on. A good bit of roasty malt/toasty bread, some coffee, and to a lesser extent cocoa.

M: Medium bodied, slightly bitter, but relatively smooth.

O: Not bad, expected a bit more based on the other beers I have had from FW thus far. Good, but not great, especially the weak nose.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2012 15:47:40 | More by mdaschaf

elNopalero

Texas

4.4/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This looks solid, like a dark dark roast with just a touch of foam. The coffee comparison is apt, not just in appearance but aroma and taste as well. It’s full bodied, with a robust, roasty flavor. Sharp yet smooth, with a clean finish. Simply put, it’s a great beer from a great brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2011 22:26:56 | More by elNopalero

Gatch

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Taste of Tops in Tempe, AZ.

A - As dark as a beer can get. Deep brown up to light. No head.

S - Smoky, roasted malt. Dark chocolate, coffee.

T - Medium-roasted malt & coffee. Malt lingers but nothing special.

M - Thinner body than expected. Typical porter finish of watered-down roasted malt. Like lake water.

Try it, though.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2011 01:39:15 | More by Gatch

birchstick

Missouri

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - pours black with a nice 1.5 finger head.

S - the nose consists of chocolates with some fresh herbal hops

T - the taste consists of a lot of dark chocolates up front. The dark chocolates really don't go away and seem to be the thesis of this porter. There is a modicum of burnt malt, and is definitely overwhelmed by the chocolate flavors. The hops in the nose weren't present on the palate oddly enough.

M - smooth, creamy and full; leaves a little dry from the roasted and chocolate malts

D - this is a solid porter. The more I drank it the more impressed I was by it. Pretty straight forward but delicerrs in the right places - this is more bold and packed with flavor than most from this style. Definitely worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2011 03:55:50 | More by birchstick

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had on tap at the Village Tavern and let me say this about that. This robust porter could be the best out there and definitely better then the bottle not that there is anything wrong with the bottle.
Recieved from the waitress in a nice goblet and had a rich deeper brown color. A thin small head sat on top which was quite dense and never fading. It had avery light beige color and was striking. Carbonation looked to be very nice.
Aroma was rich with roasted malts, chocolate malts and hints of coffee. There is also a underlying sweetness too.
Taste is thick and robust on the palette.
A rich complex taste of roasted malts sweet milk chocolate and espresso. Underneath is another layer of flavor thats sweet and softer, light oak, molasses, vanilla. It enhances the bold malt flavors and brings them into balance.
The beer slides down with no effort and has lingering bitter aftertaste from the abundance of rich malts.
Perhaps i lucked out and this keg was recently tapped but I'll tell you what: this was definitly the best porter I've had to date.
Search it out and try on tap and you'll agree or your money back!

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 14:20:57 | More by micromaniac129

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From notes taken at the Armsby Abbey on 10/26/11.

A - Poured into a pint glass a deep, dark chocolate pour that left a one finger mocha head that leaves nice side lacing.

S - Some light roasted malts, dark chocolate, with slight hops.

T - More of the same with those light roasted malts, light chocolate and coffee. A bit diluted tasting.

M - Nicely creamy, little light in the mouth.

O - This isnt that bad of a porter. A bit too sweet for me, but still nice and chocolatey.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2011 19:30:29 | More by rudzud

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A-Pours nearly black. When held up to the light it is actually a very dark brown. Tan head is creamy and leaves much lacing. The head simmers, then retains for most of the glass.

S-Not too powerful in the nose. Roasty and some light coco/chocolate. Mellow nuttiness as well.

T-Roasty and a bit chocolatey. This is the nuttiest porter I have ever had. Tastes like a chocolate covered nut. I enjoy the nutty flavor but am a bit surprised by it. Flavor is mellow but subtly tasty.

M-Creamy feel. One of the creamier porters. Nice feel. Mellow bubbles. Slick and almost stout like. Medium bodied leaning toward heavy.

O/D-Pretty decent beer. Easy to imbibe and the creamy feel is enticing. Overall, a pretty good porter. Flavor is good but not great, but the mouthfeel is awesome. Great on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2011 17:34:20 | More by VelvetExtract

JayS2629

Alabama

4.28/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark black with a huge creamy tan head that sticks around and clings to the glass leaving big sea foam lacing.

The aroma is of chocolate, toffee, hints of coffee, earth, and smoke. Very inviting.

The flavors follow the nose with a great balanced of chocolate and toffee with vanilla hints. Coffee and earthy qualities are in the back with a very faint smokey hint.

Great balance, rich and creamy with a smooth finish.

Awesome porter. Very drinkable and complex.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2011 13:59:26 | More by JayS2629

ehammond1

California

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

Dark brown color and a thin khaki colored head. Messy and lined lacing down the glass.

The aroma is of a classic American porter: roasted malts, a touch of coffee and chocolate, some char, and a bit of caramel.

Rich flavors of roasted malt, caramel, a little bit of toffee, some chocolate, and a mild bitterness make this an incredibly drinkable, very delicious, classic porter.

Medium to full bodied.

A great, classic American porter.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2011 17:50:57 | More by ehammond1

nezelrac

New York

4.5/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

served in a snifter

A - dark brown with mahogany highlights; nice dense bubbly head with good retention and some lacing

S - delicious aromas of dark malt, toffee, coffee, caramel; dark chocolate notes; some hops lurking in the background; really inviting

T - layers of malt flavors - caramel, toffee, toast; also some dried stone fruits and chocolate; the mid-palate picks up some significant richness; good length, too

M - really very smooth despite the firm edge from the dark malts; good CO2 - moderate-low;

O - this is excellent porter! great job

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2011 18:26:17 | More by nezelrac

tzieser

Arizona

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

review taken from notes.

enjoyed on-tap at the pour farm tavern in new bedford, massachusetts.

a: pours a deep black color with a two finger tan head that slowly settles into a fluffy lacing.

s: roasted malt aromas with a subtle smokey character. not much else.

t: fairly strong roasted malt flavor with notes of smoke, bittersweet chocolate and subtle coffee notes. very well done.

m: average mouthfeel; nothing crazy.

this was a very good porter. i really liked the smoke character (peated malt). this is probably on my top 10 list of american made porters. not quite as good as mayflower (my favorite) but i'd recommended it in a heartbeat.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2011 01:39:21 | More by tzieser

BucannonXC5

California

3.3/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a tap into a pint glass at KnB Wine Cellar’s in San Diego, Calif. Color was copper, more on the dark side. Looked to be at least an inch of head. Lots of film left over on the sides of the glass.

Smelled slightly bitter, but overall smell wasn’t too strong. Heavy on the malts.

Tasted crisp, clean, light and fairly refreshing. Slightly bitter taste, but bland overall.

Very high carbonation. Refreshing and consistent taste.

I was a little bit disappointed in the beer, but would maybe give it another go.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2011 19:39:53 | More by BucannonXC5

nickthetick

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours an opaque, nearly black, dark brown into an American shaker with a thin skim of khaki bubbles for a head that despratly cling to the glass to form a bit of lacing.

S: subtle coffee, dark chocolate, a bit of vanilla and some smoke qualities in minutia.

T: a big surprise here, the nose was so soft I was worried but as soon as this beer hits young tongue its presence is made well known. It starts with a chocolate flavored coffee and a good bit of vanilla. Woody and earthy, and a bit of bitterness has the quality of the bitter flavor a berry would put in your mouth without there being any identifiable berry flavors there.

MF: a medium body and soft effervescence, along with the sweeter notes and smooth flavor make this a surprisingly refreshing beer; ever with a bit of a dry finish.

O: the taste and mouth feel make me automatically think of a hiking beer. In fact it would be perfect for the outdoor activity if it were in cans. Good porter overall that I wouldn't look over.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2011 22:43:59 | More by nickthetick

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Pour Farm New Bedford

Appearance: 1 inch head, dark brown in color, opaque

Smell: roasted malt, deep cocoa, and coffee

Taste: cream, chocolate, and deep roasted malt

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation, medium-light body, sweet with light bitterness at the end.

Overall: One of the better porters I had had in some time. A nice and complex brew that stays true to the porter style. A sipper that I could have several of.

Serving type: on-tap

07-18-2011 14:25:42 | More by tigg924

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Misconduct Tavern, Philly, PA

Poured into a pint glass, a dark brown with a thin, wispy, almost non-existent head. Roasty aroma of dark malts, coffee, and a touch of semisweet chocolate. Big roasty taste, earthy, rich dark malts, pleasantly bitter coffee notes, and a touch of ash. Not quite full-bodied, but very flavorful and very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2011 22:09:59 | More by Rifugium

beagle75

Iowa

3.43/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Draft service into a shaker pint glass at Yard House in Irvine.

A: Opaque, dark brown color showing some clarity at the edges with one finger of mocha-tinted foam head. Heavy lacing remains on the glass and submerged bubbles cling all over to the wall of the glass.

S: Extremely mild, consisting mostly of carbon dioxide with a trace amount of milk chocolate.

T: Begins off-dry, with dark fruit, weak roasted malt, and restrained acidity. The middle reveals slight astringency that seems associated with a weak and transient soapy flavor. Bitter roast swells up in the finish, with suggestions of coffee and cocoa powder alongside. Charcoal lingers on the palate, but not overly long.

M: Medium viscosity, creamy and slightly astringent on the palate, with low carbonation.

D/O: While not much of an attention-grabber, this porter has a feel of authenticity about it. It is more bitter than the average porter, apparently deriving from a combination of hop and roast influence. It has the potential to match most other craft porters of American origin, in terms of favorable qualities, but fails to really stand out amongst them.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2011 16:38:49 | More by beagle75