Coffeehouse Porter - Berkshire Brewing Company Inc.

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Prime 16 into an Allagash goblet. I can't believe it's taken me so long to review this beer.

A: Black body with clear brown highlights; one finger of creamy, persistent brown foam that leaves some nice lace. Lovely.

S: Rich coffee, bitter chocolate, and even more roasty coffee. Simple, and good.

T: Coffee is up front (rather piquant, fruity coffee to be exact), followed by plenty of chocolate and come faint herbal hops on the cleanly bitter finish. Very tasty, but a little weak on the tail end - I wish the coffee carried through a touch more.

M: Hugely frothy, and therefore a little thin. Not as rich as it could be.

O: This beer is almost always on tap at the better bars in my area, and it always makes a great option. It's robust enough for the winter, bitter enough for the summer, and tasty enough for every day. I'm bumping it up a half-point here for being so affordable and available. Terrific porter.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2011 00:52:13 | More by woosterbill

gdrydenc

Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had 5oz sample on tap at Sunset Bar & Grill in Allston, MA. Reviewed from (quite old) notes.

A - Dark brown in color, with little, thick brown head.

S - Coffee and hints of chocolate.

T - Sweet, for a beer with coffee in the name, it's missing the coffee umph that I was expecting. Watery, but moderately alcoholic tasting.

M - Coffee taste that lacked up front lingers for a while afterward.

D - Light enough tasting to drink a few, but taste may motivate me not to.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2011 04:48:55 | More by gdrydenc

mwill7287

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap, Sunset Grill & Tap, Brighton, MA. Poured into 11 oz. rounded glass

A: Very, very dark. Thinnest amount of head, mainly just around the edge of the glass, with some about the surface of the beer.

S: Nothing remarkable about the smell. Not overwhelming, but not bad either.

T: Rich & creamy. Not overwhelmingly coffee taste, as much chocolate as coffee. Taste more subtle than in-your-face.

M: Good feel, not bitter, very creamy. Easy on the tongue/mouth, especially compared to other porters/stouts.

D: Easy drinkability. Does not fill you up quickly or put you out of commission early.

Overall: wonderful.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2010 19:22:01 | More by mwill7287

david18

New York

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on draft at the Sunset Grill on a recent visit to Boston. A 95 degree day was probably not the best day to have a coffee porter but given that it was very good. Very dark color with a dark head. Good coffee and malt flavor with a very thick mouthfeel. I think I hope I see this again during the colder weather sometime.

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2010 21:56:54 | More by david18

palma

New York

4.43/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at craftsteak MGM grand/foxwoods.

Served in a challice by a craftsteak waitress. Beautiful pour. Very dark brown body with a 1.5 inch creamy looking head.

Taste of this beer is extraordinary. One of the best coffee porters/stouts I have ever had. Lots of coffee but not overpowering. Smooth milky coffee flavor that is not astingent in the least. Some mocha comes through. But it's the mild, yet significant coffee flavor that really makes this beer stand out. The flavor complexity comes simply from this great balance of coffee flavor. Mouthfeel was also exceptional. This beer is a stand out. Will look foward to finding it in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2010 18:26:47 | More by palma

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Jayli for convincing me to order this.

Appearance: dark brownish/amber in color, 1/4 inch head, moderate carbonation, clear

Smell: light coffee and toasted malt

Taste: starts off toasted malt, then a big dose of rich black coffee in the middle, followed by milk chocolate and a vanilla cream

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, smooth, medium bodied. Starts off sweet, then bitters a bit for the body, followed by a really sweet end.

Drinkability: I was burned out of coffee beers but this one is outstanding. I love how the flavors unravel as they cross my pallate. This a complex and enjoyable beer to sit with. I will look for this in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2010 21:26:04 | More by tigg924

phattysbox

New York

2.73/5  rDev -33.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

On tap at the squealing pig in Boston.

Poured into a pint glass. Not quite jet black but a very dark brown in color. Thin head struggles to maintain itself but the carbonation holds the head. Thin lace eventually forms that slowly disappears.

Smell: Cold iced coffee mixed in with roasted malts. Very slight hop aroma but it is quite surpressed. The nose makes me think: "you are about to drink cold coffee"

Taste: Initial front end taste screams out with harsh astringent notes of bitter roasted malts and coarse coffee grinds. The coffee is very apparent and off-putting, however, the brew redeems itself in the backend by following with chocolate and cocoa blending nicely with a toasted malt profile. Just when that first bite off the coffee aspect hits - really does not meld well for me. I often think this part is the hardest to nail when integrating coffee in beer. The body is a bit thin for my tatses as well but the carbonation is lively.

Overall: Good to try once but thats about it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2010 00:05:43 | More by phattysbox

Durge

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Found this on tap at The Riverview in Brattleboro, VT. It's a solid dark brown color with a big fluffy oatmeal head and gobs of lacing. The aroma is a nice tart molasses coffee and the flavor follow suit with an obvious sharp but somewhat floral hop overtone over a chewy sweet malt molasses base. A pretty velvetty feel with modest but fair carbonation. Some raisin and caramel notes. Very nice and reasonably drinkable for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2009 18:01:08 | More by Durge

jimj21

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Eli Cannon's in Middletown, CT. From notes taken 5/26/09. Poured into a pint glass. Beer pours a very dark brown with no clarity. Topped by about a finger of creamy tan head. Good retention and amazing lacing. Ended up with a nice sheet all the way down about half the glass.

Aromas of sweet malt and coffee. Floral hops are there too. Hints of chocolate as well. Smells good, but what is there isn't very strong. Smell of coffee stands out from the other aromas, but everything seems muted, even as the beer warms.

Taste follows the nose pretty closely. Great iced black coffee flavor. Malty caramel and a touch of roastiness. Dark chocolate is there too, but to a lesser extent. Hops show themselves on the finish with a floral character. Aftertaste is a little dry and coffee-like.

The is a medium bodied beer. Not quite full bodied. Good job of not venturing into stout territory. Very creamy and not too much carbonation.

Very drinkable. Good balance between the coffee and porter flavors. Hops add a nice edge. My first experience with Berkshire Brewing Company is a good one. As a fan of coffee, I'll be looking for more coffee flavored beers.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2009 20:06:54 | More by jimj21

bsend

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Received a pint from server.

Appearance: The beer had a deep brown color, that seemed to show light shades of black. The way it was poured, there was a light white head that didn't cover the entire top of the beer. It didn't let much light through, and provided small amounts of lacing.

Smell: Subtle but definite dark black coffee mixed with rinds (end of the pot).

Taste: Black coffee flavor as metioned in the smell reminded me of the end of the pot. Roasted malt provided the backbone.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied brew that both coated the pallate, and wasn't too thick.

Drinkability: A nice flavored porter that wasn't so heavy. Light abv helped this one be one you could have a few of.

Final Thoughts - Nice job by BBC. I think I might prefer this out of the bottle more than on tap. Never the less, good entry in the flavored porter genre, and usual good effort by BBC.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2009 18:34:16 | More by bsend

bonbini26

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap @ Track 84, Warwick, RI 11-18-09

I never drink coffee but i really like it went its incorporated with beer. Pours a dark down, with a off white foamy head, thick lacing follows the beer down. A pleasant roasted coffee aroma, with some chocolate and caramel hints. Has a medium body with a bittersweet coffee flavor and goes down very smooth. Overall a very good use of coffee flavor in this porter.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2008 19:04:44 | More by bonbini26

BDIMike

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours is a nice fudge-colored body with a slight bit of copper around the sides. A tan-colored head that laced all the way down with very nice retention.
Great smell. A very strong malt smell with nice coffee malts, along with chocolate malts as well. Even a tad bit of hop smell in this beer.
Taste is immediately a shot of coffee with a hint of dark chocolate. Not too much on the coffee, a nice balance with a tinge of caramel malt at the end.
Mouthfeel is a too thin for my liking. There is a smooth creaminess to it though.
Drinkability is nice. A good subtle coffee flavor that is not too overpowering. One of the most balanced and tasty coffee porters I have ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2008 00:28:37 | More by BDIMike

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had a pint at The Other Side Cafe this past Friday evening. Dark brown color with a thin wispy white head. Roasted barley smell. Taste was very unique, as it has a very distinct coffee (almost cappuccino) characteristic blended into that hearty porter flavor. Very nice. The only knock that I have against this beer is that it has a very thin body. I have had it a few times at Deep Ellum which serve it on nitro tap. That seems to give it much more heartiness. A bit on the watery side for my liking. But on the flip side, I could see myself more easily drinking these than the heavier nitro version. A nice, well made version of a porter with a welcome flavor twist.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2008 23:15:04 | More by morebeergood

smurphy77

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Came with a thick creamy inch-thick head atop a dark brown beer. Aroma of roasted coffee was mild but the roasted coffee flavor was dominant and delicious. Real full-bodied, creamy texture with bold espresso and coffee flavors. Bit of a smoky aftertaste - paired perfectly with smoked beef tongue canapes. Would highly recommend to go with any dark, smoked meat.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2008 11:47:55 | More by smurphy77

Jayli

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beers pours a deep dark, bordering black color with mahogany hues to it. About a 2-3 finger tannish pillowy head. Head retention is mild, with wispy lacing throughout. Nose is of espresso, chocolate, and malts. Taste is definitely of chocolate and espresso, slight bitter coffee aftertaste - but not unpleasing. Taste is strong at first and then slightly muted, followed by the aftertaste. I actually found this to be rather light bodied for a porter, however the taste is fantastic - light body and fantastic taste=GREAT session beer!
I will definitely be picking this up again in the near future!

Edited - my original post said:
Each new porter I try taps in to the versatility you have in creating porters. This is great beer that pours a darker brown with an off white head. The scent of coffee is apparent at first pour (or right after the bartender pours it for you). I was skeptical in mixing the flavors of a porter and coffee, but Berkshire did a phenomenal job making these two bold tastes mesh together.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2008 03:08:18 | More by Jayli

mclanem

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The smell is coffee, and caramel. The beer poured thin for a porter and kind of light in color. I held a nice caramel head about a half an inch thick. This beer has an excellent balance of coffee flavors, a lot of toffee, and no metallic flavor at all. The smell matched flavors with hints of caramel, sort of mild smell overall.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2008 14:57:42 | More by mclanem

mnj21655

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap in a 13 oz. tulip at Sunset Tap & Grill in Allston, MA

Poured a deep, dark brown in color with just a finger of fluffy tan head that had decent retention. Aroma was fairly subdued; dark roasted malts, coffee, and dark chocolate with just a bit of hops. Taste was much like the aroma. Dark roasted malts and some chocolate were present at first but quickly joined and then overtaken by coffee. The coffee flavor, which was pretty great, lasted into the finish balancing out what sweetness there is in this brew. Without the coffee flavor I would find this beer too sweet. Mouthfeel is good, medium+ body thats quite creamy. Drinkability is quite good. I would certainly recommend this brew.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2008 03:35:58 | More by mnj21655

GusESB

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

If you like coffee, you will like this beer.
It had the look of a porter, but the aroma was very similar to a cold cup of coffee.
The flavor had roasty qualities and it was a smoothe mouthfeel to it. The aftertaste was pleasant in that it wasn't an overwhelming coffee flavour, but more subtle.
While I do not drink coffee, I did enjoy this beer and would recommend it to coffee lovers

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2008 17:44:47 | More by GusESB

jim102864

Connecticut

3.35/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap @ E this week. Served as usual in my porcelin mug. Poured with a thick, creamy head. Chocolate brown appearance.

Dedected absolutely zero aroma. I even had Leslie pour it in a shot glass for me and let it warm up. Maybe the cold New England air is affecting my olfactory system.

Taste was mild, mild, mild, however, coffee grind bite in the finish and a hint of coffee up front.

Mouthfeel was smooth and modest with a creamy, malty body and a modest hop bite.

Very drinkable, but a tad too modest in all categories. They could stand to ratchet up the malt so you can detect something in the nose. A mild brew that is enjoyable nonetheless just not overly exciting.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2007 09:44:25 | More by jim102864

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A very dark porter served on tap at Eli Cannon's in CT. The aroma was strong with coffee, not unlike Founder's Breakfast Stout. Honestly this is very similar to Breakfast Stout, except with slightly less body and less malt richness. Even so, this was very good, and I'd get it again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2007 16:27:21 | More by TurdFurgison

MattBrooks

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black in color with no head and very little cascade. Rich, dark aromas of coffee and roasted nuts waft up from the glass. The first sip says it all: bold. intense and deep flavors of coffee, chocolate and mild hops. The mouthfeel is good, not overbearing, but pleasant. I couldn't imagine having more than a couple of these as the flavors were pretty intense.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2007 20:21:19 | More by MattBrooks

EPICAC

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had a pint of this at Bukowski's in Boston.

Appearance: Pours a very hazy dark-brown with a moderate beige head that persists as a significant film and leaves heavy lace on the side of the glass.

Smell: Overwhelming coffee aromas mask anything else, except for perhaps a very faint aroma of chocolate.

Taste: Light chocolate sweetness upfront with some dried fruit. The fruitiness becomes more noticeable in the center before it's eclipsed (though not completely) by some roasted coffee flavors.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, very smooth.

Drinkability: Flavorful and balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2007 03:31:13 | More by EPICAC

Gavage

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: clear dark brown in color. Short one finger head lingers around a while.

Smell: loads of strong coffee and chocolate tones are easily picked up.

Taste: big flavored beer here. Huge roasted malt profile with coffee, dark chocoaltes, and a mild bitterness. Not overly complex, but a straight forward coffee flavored beer.

Mouthfeel: medium-heavy in body. Smooth from start to finish. Roasted coffee and dark chocolate aftertaste.

Drinkability: very enjoyable porter. Easy to drink and worth seeking out on draft.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2007 14:55:22 | More by Gavage

screws

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours black (or a very dark brown) with a tan head. The head was a good size (~1/2") and only started to disperse after a few minutes (there was a light head through out the drink however).

The initial smell was of coffee slightly burnt. I was then able to pick-up a hint of chocolate smell, but it was slight.

The taste was just what one would expect from the smell... a slightly burnt coffee taste. The burnt aspect was a certain smokiness in the flavor, which was not overpowering and helped add to the complexity of the drink. The drink's taste finished with a slight chocolate bitterness (the same bitterness one would get eating high cocoa percentage chocolate).

The mouthfeel was medium to heavy (I was expecting something a little heavier due to the dark color).

I found this beer quite drinkable, and would definitely consider getting it again, or picking up a six of it. Though the beer is predominantly coffee in taste, I did not find it over powering, and there is the subtle chocolate that keeps things interesting. After a bitter winter day this would be a nice drink to have around the fire with a few friends.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2006 22:04:01 | More by screws

OldFrothingSlosh

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Bukowski's. Inky dark with a thick tan head. Served too cold...needed to let this set for more than a few minutes before the true flavors came out. Aromas of dark roasted malt and fresh coffee. Maybe a burned caramel sweetness. Flavor was initially dark and roasted sugary sweet. "Oaty" coffee finish. Somewhat over-carbonted. Finish was dry and laden with coffee. Medium body...expected a fuller mouthfeel. Still, it was quite drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2006 01:36:08 | More by OldFrothingSlosh