Leaning Chimney Porter - Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island

greybeardloon

Rhode Island

3.48/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

no date

A: The first can I opened gave a thick, meringue-like head that stuck around forever and left thick, chunky lacing. The second can--which had much more head space in it--gave almost no head and left much finer lacing.

S: Clean smoke and milk chocolate. The smoke smells like wet, charred wood and, while noticeable, is not too strong.

T: Noticeable, clean, non-meaty smoke on the front end that lingers throughout, leaving a dry, almost acrid finish (but without any char flavor). The milk chocolate is present but less prominent than on the nose. Bitter, leafy hops kick in at the finish. The smoke isn't very strong, yet somehow it still dominates--I would have preferred either a rounder flavor or more smoked malt.

M: A bit thin and bubbly.

O: This is not a bad beer by any means, but I really wanted to like it much more than I did.

Serving type: can

01-04-2013 04:15:39 | More by greybeardloon

kaelingirl

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -8.7%

04-22-2013 12:55:44 | More by kaelingirl

Jeffo

Netherlands

3.73/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this one from bring. Cheers!

From a 500ml can into a pint glass

APPEARANCE: A clear brown pour produces a two finger, medium looking, fluffy, light tan head with good retention. Black body with lower levels of carbonation evident. Head slowly fades to a good foam cap. A splotchy wisp remains leaving some nice lacing down the glass.

SMELL: Some smoked malts, a hint of roasted grains, and some cocoa powder as well. Bold enough with nice chocolate, smokey aromas.

TASTE: Smokey flavors with some leather up front, then more smokiness, roasted flavors and cocoa powder at the finish. Bigger and bolder finish is smoky with plenty of chocolate and bitter coffee flavors. Burnt malts qualities too. Plenty flavorful and enjoyable.

PALATE: Lighter body and slightly higher levels of carbonation. Not quite creamy enough on the palate, but goes down fine and finishes slightly dry. A little below average.

OVERALL: A pretty nice beer for sure. The palate needs a little re-working, but otherwise, this is a flavorful and enjoyable porter. The smoked elements are quite well done as well. Thanks again bring. Recommended.

Serving type: can

04-11-2013 19:31:33 | More by Jeffo

JAHMUR

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -8.7%

04-08-2013 20:29:58 | More by JAHMUR

alexgash

Connecticut

3.44/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

16 oz. can.

Cola brown body. Clear and clean. Tall, two fingers of moderately dense, dirty khaki head. Terrific lacing and retention. Definite smoke on the nose, thank God, along with light roasted malts, a little coffee, milk chocolate, and a little peppery spiciness.

Light roasted malt and coffee bitterness up front. Peaty, earthy malts fill in. Some milk chocolate, with faint sweetness. Smokiness seeps in: flinty, ashy, and mineral-y. Dark chocolate bitterness and dirt into the finish. Lingering smoke, coffee, and a little caramel. Moderate body with a fizzy-ish feel. Too light and watery for the style and flavors. Also wish the roasted flavors were a little more robust and that everything came together more cohesively. At least the smoke levels were good.

Serving type: can

03-31-2013 21:55:47 | More by alexgash

jfcaa193

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -8.7%

03-27-2013 00:56:58 | More by jfcaa193

dheacck11

Connecticut

3.35/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

From the can.

Inky black in color with hints of muddy brown in the light. Massive dense tan head lingering for ages.

Nose is very soft, predominantly smoke and soft malt.

Taste is really heavy on the smokiness, maybe even a bit of heat, cayenne?. Almost a hint of cedar to it, with a subtle sweetness from the malt. Touch of hop, but minimal. Rather sharp all in all.

Feel is a bit thin and quite acrid and sharp from the smoke and bitter hops.

Smoked porter or any beer really = not my thing, but wanted to support the local folks. I like porters, just not really this one. If you like smokey stuff, give it a shot. Otherwise pass.

Serving type: can

03-20-2013 22:56:02 | More by dheacck11

PrimScrewhead

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

03-05-2013 01:13:35 | More by PrimScrewhead

Mikecap

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

02-16-2013 15:52:08 | More by Mikecap

Horbar

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

02-12-2013 01:33:51 | More by Horbar

BColton1

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +12.4%

02-07-2013 14:40:37 | More by BColton1

barroomhero1977

Rhode Island

2.5/5  rDev -29.8%

02-06-2013 20:57:51 | More by barroomhero1977

gcamparone

Rhode Island

3.59/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 16 oz can into a tulip. Purchased 20 miles from the brewery in Wakefield, RI.

A- Pours a dark brown, nearly black body. Not opaque out of the can, but pretty opaque in the glass with cherry highlights. Thick bubbly mocha colored head that reduces slowly to chunky white foam and leaves blotchy lacing.

S- Toffee and milk chocolate, pretty smokey. Not very strong on the nose.

T- Toffee and roasted malt with a smokey note on the aftertaste. The flavor here is not very pronounced, it could shine through a little more.

M- Nothing like a good porter should feel like. Thin, watery, and over-carbonated.

Gray Sail, my local favorite and go-to everyday choice, miss the mark with this one in my opinion. This brew is lacking body and taste. I wouldn't share this with my trading partners (I usually send them some flying jenny, though). I still love you, gray sail. Maybe next year's batch will be better.

Serving type: can

01-31-2013 00:23:42 | More by gcamparone

CTJman

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

01-22-2013 18:36:27 | More by CTJman

kevdemers

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

01-19-2013 03:06:30 | More by kevdemers

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.56/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

16oz. can served in a nonic. Pours the color and clarity of cola with ruby highlights when backlit. Head is dense, one inch, and light tan in color. Head eventually settles into a consistent cap with delicate webs of lacing revealed during the tasting. Nose expresses chocolate malt and roast as well as a suggestion of something metallic towards the tail end. Taste starts off with quite a bit of smoke, which overpowers much of the flavor profile. There's still a suggestion of cocoa, but it is overshadowed by the smoke and roast. The slight metallic character present in the nose also reasserts itself at the finish with the addition of a slight noble hops presence. Mouthfeel is light-medium, with an even carbonation that falls short of lively and leaves a residual tingle at the back of the tongue. There's also a hint of acidity in the mix as well. Overall, a decent porter, but a little too heavy on smoke. I'd be interested to see what happens to this beer on nitro.

Serving type: can

01-19-2013 01:04:36 | More by Jwale73

Robtobfest

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +19.4%

01-17-2013 03:40:00 | More by Robtobfest

RMoeNay

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

01-13-2013 20:41:53 | More by RMoeNay

Proclarush

Rhode Island

3.25/5  rDev -8.7%

01-11-2013 18:52:34 | More by Proclarush

OatmattStout

Connecticut

4.3/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

nose of roasted malt, light peat smoke and chocolate

nice tan dense head that leaves steady lacing

taste is very well balanced that starts semi sweet and follows the nose with up from semi sweet chocolate and roast malt. it finishes dry with of dark roast coffee and light smoke. The peated malt adds an appealing fresh earthy smoke that is subtle and unique. I am a huge fan of peated single malts like Laphroaig and Ardbeg so this was right up my alley.

It has a nice rich mouth feel but its not heavy and very quaffable at 6%

overall a great porter with a smokey twist. Reminiscent of some Scottish ales in the finish with the peated malt and mi a big fan.

Serving type: can

01-11-2013 02:38:26 | More by OatmattStout

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

3.54/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Consumed 1/6/13

Appearance: Dark brown, with a creamy off-white head - nice cap, nice ring, leaves some serious streaks of lacing - very impressive retention

Smell: Chocolate and smoked malts - like a blend of ash and baker's chocolate - the smoke is quite obvious, but not excessive, works well with the dryness from the burnt, chocolate malts - roasted grains, some baker's chocolate, burnt popcorn - not much depth in the malts, also lacking hops

Taste: Chocolate, super-roasty coffee, and smoke - clean, smoky dryness - not remarkably burnt, but the flavor is reminiscent of burnt popcorn - dry, chocolate malts - burnt coffee - minimal sweetness, minimal bitterness - light grassiness in the back

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body, nice carbonation, smooth, definitely quaffable even with the smoke

Overall: Interesting, would pair well with a campfire, woodstove, or ashtray

My feelings are a bit mixed on this offering from Grey Sail. The smoke flavor is great for what it is, and it's not overly potent. Nonetheless, the smoke really hides anything else that may be interesting in this beer. Bonus points for the tallboy format.

Serving type: can

01-06-2013 08:23:26 | More by angrybabboon

TheBeerologist

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

01-05-2013 22:27:50 | More by TheBeerologist

bostonryan

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

12-28-2012 23:59:00 | More by bostonryan

PicoPapa

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap. Pours a dark brown color with an inch of tan head. Lots of lacing. Aroma is smokey with some roasted malts and dark chocolate. Taste is really smokey with some roasted malts, coffee beans and dark chocolate. Slightly bitter chocolate finish. Mouthfeel is a bit light for the style. Overall, I am impressed. Both of the beers by this brewery are worth having for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2012 18:22:36 | More by PicoPapa

Lawnboy33

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -15.7%

02-21-2012 14:18:29 | More by Lawnboy33