Monster Mash Porter - New Old Lompoc Brewery

GreenCard

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: dark mahogany, almost opaque, nice layer of tan fine-beaded foam that slowly collapses to a thin cap

Aroma: deep notes of molasses, licorice, and dark cocoa

Flavor: malty sweetness laced with vanilla, caramel, licorice, and cola; dries out with a roasty bitterness into a semisweet finish; licorice in the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: medium body, alcohol warmth, silky texture

Other comments: This is a very rich, flavorful beer. Nice that hops take a back seat to the malt, roast, and other nuances.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2010 02:58:51 | More by GreenCard

MadeInOregon

California

5/5  rDev +28.5%

03-28-2013 05:23:46 | More by MadeInOregon

KajII

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

[Suggested Glassware: Snifter]

The pour was a very dark muddy brown with a small (less than 1 finger) light brown bubbly head that receded steadily, eventually becoming nothing more than a small collar which did produce some excellent streaky lacing.

The aroma was of a roasted dark grain malt and an earthy leathery yeast with notes if molasses, dark chocolate, roasted coffee and a whiff of smoke.

The taste was reminiscent of the aroma, beginning with a bold malty roasted flavor and just a touch of molasses, and then became mildly bitter with a strong mocha-coffee taste and a mild smokiness towards the end. The flavor lasted an average time following the swallow with a roasty coffee presence left to linger, along with a mild alcohol warming.

Mouthfeel was a hair past medium in body with a thin oily texture and a prickly carbonation.

Overall this was a bold and tasty roasted brew, with all of the components of a really good Porter, which did a great job of almost totally concealing the high ABV. Thus creating a good smooth drinkability...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 18:06:09 | More by KajII

ccrida

Oregon

4.13/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

IIRC, they have a regular version, and this one, which was aged in bourbon barrels. Per the label, brewed on 9/15/10, bottle on 9/14/12. Appearance is black with a small tan head leaving scattered lace. Different label then picture as well, kind of Scooby Doo haunted house look with cartoon skull over spiral motif.

Smell is sweet caramel bourbon and some off-putting saw-dust like acridness.

Taste is quite nice, reasonably malty, bourbon notes without being hot. Caramel and bakers chocolate. Pleasantly less acrid then the nose. A great candidate for adding a shot of bourbon...

Mouthfeel is on the viscous side, a dusty dryness, with a medium+ body.

Drinkability is solid, a delicious bourbon barrel porter. The lack of congruence with my notes to the others reaffirms my recollection of Main Brew telling me this was a rarer, bourbon barrel version.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 02:26:58 | More by ccrida

johnnyboy76

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -10%

12-15-2012 04:17:08 | More by johnnyboy76

wdarcy77

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%

11-18-2012 16:30:54 | More by wdarcy77

switzer

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -10%

11-17-2012 21:52:34 | More by switzer

Vancoubeer

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%

11-11-2012 05:31:23 | More by Vancoubeer

Murrhey

Montana

3.85/5  rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass. Reviewed live.

A- Thin sort of look, dark chocolate color. Low clarity. Khaki-colored ring around the edge but otherwise no head to speak of.

S- Roasty malts, chocolate, toffee, warm alcoholic notes as well.

T- Hides the alcohol content very well. Chocolate and smooth roast malts. Very drinkable for the high ABV.

M- Thin, boozy feel. Finishes dry with a malty linger.

O- Highly drinkable, not highly complex. Interesting brew, I'll bet it is great on-tap.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 00:41:23 | More by Murrhey

shelby415

Oregon

4/5  rDev +2.8%

02-27-2012 07:21:19 | More by shelby415

NWer

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Made the pilgrimage to Super Deli Mart to check it out. Tasted the Monster Mash that they had on tap. Liked it enough to fill my growler I brought with me just in case.
Poured from growler into 21st Amendment tulip. Dark brown decent head retains nicely for quite a while.
Taste malty smooth. Chocolate. Pleasant aftertaste. Absolutely no bitterness.
Another great offering from a great Oregon brewery.
Note: No mention of this brew at their website. Disappointing. Would like to know more about this beer.

Serving type: growler

11-04-2011 19:20:24 | More by NWer

julian

Washington

4.08/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Nearly pitch black but I think it's closer to an incredibly dark brown. Pour looks to be extremely clear, an aggressive pour yielded a frothy beige head that dwindles fairly soon, but leaves some wet spotted lacing around the edges.

S: Somewhat sweet biscuit, light roasted malt, a bit of vanilla, hint of sweet dark fruit (raisin, fig?). I think there might be some special B in here and possibly the grist consisted of mostly Marris Otter.

T&M: Taste is on the sweeter side as the nose suggests, and also light on the roasted flavors. Mouthfeel is incredible; thick and luscious like an oatmeal stout on steroids. Not what I was expecting.

O: Didn't get any pumpkin, although not even sure there is pumpkin in this brew (thought the pumpkin on the label suggests there is). Either way, I didn't get any of the expected pumpkin spices either just a solid imperial porter or baltic porter (isn't that what a baltic porter is anyway?) Highly drinkable for 8.1% and very delicious. Rolls off the tongue with ease.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 04:04:44 | More by julian

msubulldog25

Oregon

3.78/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Have had this beer several times over recent autumns, both on draft and from the bottle. This is a 22 oz. bottle, split with my wife; one of two received at a NOL event in late September. I like the eye-catching label; my biggest complaint is that it is NOT a pumpkin ale - despite the prominent gourd gracing the wrapper. Oh well...

A: Very dark, albeit not quite dark enough. It's fudgy and brown, but shows reddish-auburn without much scrutiny. Small head, just a skim of tan-ivory that holds valiantly at the edges and forms an oblong film with a couple of outstretched tendrils. Barely any lace.

S: Sweet and malt/cocoa-filled nose. Dusting of dry powder and a hint of vanilla and cinnamon spice.

T: Well roasted, a very dark and chocolate-y mouthful of charred malt and something that tastes earthy/dirty. That's not a bad thing, though... it's a very 'sturdy' stout, rich and intense. Flavor-wise, I'm a fan.

M: Pretty smooth, yet a lasting sharp/acerbic bitterness. Body isn't as thick as one may expect, especially for 8-ish% alcohol. Lots of 'coffee'' and a 'burnt' finish. Not awful, but not that good either...

O: From what I've been told by NOL brewers, Monster Mash changes from year to year; it's based on a hodgepodge of 'leftover' malts and hops the brewers . I've had a batch that was sublime and a batch that wasn't so good. The 2011 (as of right now) is 'fine', plenty roasted and abruptly bitter but not so balanced. Nice to drink alone, but better to share.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 23:50:30 | More by msubulldog25

Mahlik

Oregon

3.38/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bottle from Zupan's on W Burnside into a pint glass

A - Poured a dark brown/almost black in color. A creamy head that seemed to dissipate somewhat quickly. Decent lacing.

S - Definitely smelt the chocolate and roasted malts. Really nothing hops-wise. Could smell a bit of the alcohol.

T - Tasted coffee up front with the chocolate and roasted malts on the backside. Again, a bit of alcohol but not too much.

M - Medium bodied with medium carbonation. Not overly alcoholic but still present. Pretty smooth and drinkable for a 8% beer.

Overall - I find this to be just an average porter. Definitely not bad but nothing special about it. I would drink it again if offered but I wouldn't seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 20:48:55 | More by Mahlik

iD9

California

3.65/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours with a slightly off-white head, the coloration is more subtle than comparable brews. Fair levels of carbonation, opaque through the body with an even chestnut rim. Lacing is a bit thin. Not a bad looking bear but not all that impressive either.

Smell: Roasty, a bit chocolaty with a complement of malts on the nose. Reminds me of a subdued Russian Imperial Stout. Not nearly as aggressive as Deschutte's Black Butte XXI but solid for a porter.

Taste: Light on the front of the pallet, follows with dry, roasty chocolates. Not bad.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied. Solid, what can I say?

Drinkability: Very good.

All and all its a good, solid beer. Unfortunately, when compared to Black Butte XXI (the only other Imperial Porter I'm familiar with) is a much bolder and more flavorful beer. Good work from Lompoc Brewery if not somewhat unremarkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2011 04:13:09 | More by iD9

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.7/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a deep dark brown with good carbonation leaving a tannish head

S: Lots of roasted malt and chocolate

T: Roasted malts, cocoa, pretty standard and nothing wild or exciting.

M: Sordove boring on the end. Not as much silkiness and smoothness as I like. Looking for more than carbonation and chocolate.

D: I had a hard time believing this was Imperial but still a good drink

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2010 01:50:00 | More by barleywinefiend

Arbitrator

California

3.2/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Chilled bomber into a glass. A generous gift from ramnuts. Thanks, Frank!

A: Pours a dark, but clear, cola brown that appears opaque when poured in larger quantities. The head vanishes quickly and leaves a small collar on the beer, with no lacing down the snifter.

S: Even from the pour at arm's length, I can smell the milk chocolate radiating off this thing. It's delightful. That, and roasted grains, dominate the aroma.

T: Bittersweet chocolate, though not enough to be in dark chocolate territory. I remember this having a stronger roast component on tap; out of the bottle, and from what is surely a different batch, the roast is more subdued. It presents a touch of coffee. I also remember a fruitiness on tap that is not found in this bottle. It's solid, but more simplistic than it was.

M: Medium-full bodied. Good flavor, good carbonation for the style. It has a malty, but not sugary, finish. A small flavor of roast lingers into the aftertaste and exhalation.

D: It's pretty good, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I just feel my previous experience with it was better.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 03:52:51 | More by Arbitrator

jdense

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bottle from Whole Foods Hollywood PDX poured into Barley Brown's pint glass 10.31.2010.

One finger creamy white head, medium dissipation with significant lacing. Dark brown clear body, much visible carbonation when held up to a light. Nose is chocolatey, some fruty esters though not sure it's pumpkin, flowery hops, Taste mirrors nose, tres chocolatey goodness, good dose of molasses, really subsumes any hop presence. Medium mouthfeel, fairly light effervescence. Drinkability is effected by booziness, this might benefit from a bit of cellaring.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2010 18:17:21 | More by jdense

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.15/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Bailey's the other day.

The beer pours a blackish brown color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is impressive, showcasing considerable coffee and chocolate, as well as a hint of pumpkin pie and brown sugar. This beer really smells great. The flavor profile replicates the nose, and I picked up more pumpkin spice than I was expecting from the nose. The beer also has a very attractive, soft and smooth mouthfeel, with a long, lingering finish. Alcohol is not noticeable at all in this moderately sweet, easy to take porter.

Just an all around excellent Autumn beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2010 15:46:21 | More by johnmichaelsen

Docer

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Grabbed a bottle at a local Whole Foods... had to try!

- Hearty thick viscous pour... super dark ruby brown/black... off white head... quickly down to a slight ring and dusting in the center... best to have a glass w/ etchings to at least show something....

- Roasted chocolate malts galore... that is one robust grain driven scent... huge oats, barley, fried grain husks.. fresh water, bitter coffee hop... light floral pine... just a touch...

- Lovely buttery sweet pumpkin seed mash up of fantastic grains, oats... must have seeds, roasted seeds... salt, flame, wood... light bitter hop punch... very well balanced... this is a monster of a porter, and I am floored.... what a fantastic autumn mix up... I hope to be able to get this for years to come.

- Medium... slightly drying, but overall fantastic... it goes down, and only leaves remnants of how good it is... behind!

- One of the best robust porters I have ever had... it's like a buttery pumpkin seed roast at moms house... while having my favorite robust porter... combined... this is one to share with the whole family. So far my favorite beer I have had from Lompoc.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2010 03:18:45 | More by Docer

Wasatch

Utah

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz. Bomber

Poured into a chalice a nice black color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy tan head, with some sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, with a big chocolate/toffee/coffee note. The taste is slighlty sweet, malty, lot's of the dark stuff. Medium body. Drinkable, this is one fine Porter.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2010 19:57:54 | More by Wasatch

MissKristin

Connecticut

3.35/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I had this porter on tap at the 5th Quadrant location. It poured a dark brown with a light tan head. The lacing sticks momentarily and then slowly slides down to the level of the beer. There wasn't much in the nose, I only had faint hints of chocolate. Big roasted taste with a decent amount of hops. Unlike the smell, I do not taste chocolate. There is more of a candy sweetness, like molasses. However, the mouth feel is not sticky like molasses, it is rather thin and watery. The carbonation is low-medium. Overall, this is a fairly good porter with a decent drink ability.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2007 04:13:41 | More by MissKristin

RedDiamond

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Outwardly, Monster Mash Porter is an infallible brown. But hold it to the light and it glows with a post-apocalyptic red radiance. It tastes of sweet, fruity malts with a quirky chocolate flush. Toasted grains make a contribution, but overt roastiness is curiously absent. It strays towards brown ale territory for a moment but its affirmed eccentricity won’t have it confused with a traditional porter. Inventive and appealing.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2006 04:26:13 | More by RedDiamond