Coffeehouse Porter - Berkshire Brewing Company Inc.

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.09/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Served on nitro-tap at The Lower Depths in Boston, MA

A: Pours an opaque yet clear very dark brown (almost black) in color with light amounts of gentle visible carbonation along with cola brown, garnet red, and very dark amber highlights. The beer has a two finger tall dense creamy light tan head that slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer and a slightly thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of roasted coffee over the top of slightly lighter roasted malts. Light hints of bittersweet chocolate are present as well.

T: Upfront there are moderate to strong flavors of dark roasted malts and coffee. Underneath there is a lighter presence of bittersweet chocolate and hints of vanilla. Moderate amounts of bitterness which fade after a short amount of time.

M: Slightly heavier than medium bodied with light to moderate amounts of carbonation. Creamy.

O: I am a big fan of this beer on-nitro - it does not appear to suffer the thinness of the body that others observed when being poured on nitro (it was just downright creamy). Lovely flavors of coffee come through but are not overpowering (even had a buddy that does not really like coffee agree that this one was great).

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-06-2013 21:08:51 | More by dbrauneis

BigCheese

Massachusetts

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

Had on nitro tap at dubliner grand opening for free.

A: Small head to start but left crazy lacing, pretty standard for a nitro so hard to judge, for style apporpriate.

S: Tons of fresh grounnd dark roasted coffee, not espresso though, coffee. Some chocolate malts, pungent. Malty goodness.

T: Coffee with cream, brown bread, roasted malts, a little nutty. Some coco beans. A hint of noble/pine hops. So delicous and refreshing, great daytime brew. Very coffee forward.

M: Chewy, no carbonation, super rich and creamy. Standard for a nitro, not really my cup of tea, I prefer mouthfeel on normal draft or bottle, very sessionable.

O: My quintessential coffee beer, the coffee is the star of show. Its an awesome brew, especially on draft, highly reccomended and something every MA resident should try once.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-10-2013 02:24:32 | More by BigCheese

EagleTalon

Arkansas

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

@ The Gaff in Waltham. Pours to a thick creamy permanent head and ample lacing. Aroma is coffee, malty, more coffee, creamer... Flavor is coffee, malts, and a tinge of hops. Mouthfeel is medium-full and very much stoutlike. Overall, a very good coffee porter. Good choice.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-23-2012 02:48:10 | More by EagleTalon

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

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

Poured from nitro tap at Sunset Boston.
Pors a thick airy black. Thick white fluffy foam.
Smell is fantastic - coffe and malts.
Taste is of coffee, malts, and a bit of chocolate. So so smooth. Similar to a guinness.
Overall, one of the most well balanced, flavorful, and smoothest coffee brews I ever tasted. This is a fantastic brew!!

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-28-2012 01:06:37 | More by DrinkSlurm

davey101

Connecticut

4.48/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz pour into a pint glass. On nitro tap at a local bar.

A - Cascading effect typical of nitrogenated beers. Dark brown body with a fluffy two finger light mocha head with very tight bubbling. Dies down to about one finger but lasts the entire beer. Lacing and retention is crazy.

S - Really fresh coffee aroma followed by some lightly roasted caramel malts. Finish is of bitter beans and hops.

T - Similar to the nose. Lots of sweet roasted coffee beans and bready caramel malts. Finish is almost similar to an IPA, bitter beans and piney hops. Very well balanced and delicious. Mouth feel is creamy and silky while still remaining light and easy drinking.

O - Probably my favorite local beer, made even better by the nitrogen tap. Really well balanced and fresh tasting coffee porter at an awesome value. 22 oz bombers sell for under $4.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-26-2012 18:23:53 | More by davey101

brureview

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wow- what a beer! On nitro- tap at the Flatbread Company in Somerville, MA. The beer poured a huge head with three colors: the mid-colors a lighter coffee, and the bottom pour a dark coffee tone.

The mouth feel is very malty with a milkshake quality, lemony with slight carbonation.

The finish is a tangy dark-roast- with deep coffee tones and brewed with a balance which is not overwhelming.

The coffee finish becomes smoother and mellows with warming.

This beer is at its absolute best on nitro-tap. It's important to drink it with rich, non-spicy cheese foods such as the meat and cheese pizza.

This beer may become one of my on-tap favorites.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-18-2012 14:12:30 | More by brureview

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

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

Nitro tap served in a tumbler pint, the beer is jet black, with a creamy, dense, thick, biege colored head that looks solid and delicious. Cream and coffee aromas, with a hint of bitter dark chocolate that blends everything together very well. The beer has a good roasting to the palate, with a heavy coffee character, slight mocha highlights, and a very subtle hopping that cleans up the end of the brew. Very smooth body from the nitro, with a light overall feel. Clean on the glass, as well, and very easy to drink. Slightly bitter aftertaste, but very mild, and the beer has a smooth, creamy, and easy finish. Decent brew that is ridiculously easy to drink.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-28-2011 18:34:51 | More by GarthDanielson

ahamlin

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is currently my favorite beer. Every time I go to the Horseshoe Pub, I am tempted to ignore the other 79 offering and just order this flawless beer. Bold, rich flavor. No bitter aftertaste. Nice roasted notes, without being overpowering. And yes, I like the fact that it will kick you in the butt if you drink it too fast on an empty stomach.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-23-2011 13:07:54 | More by ahamlin

Gatch

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On nitro-tap @ The Horseshoe Pub in Hudson, MA.

A - Deep, dark brown with shades of red at the edges. No light comes through. Thick, pillowy, frothy, light brown, latte-like head. Just sits there. Love it.

S - Coffee, raisins, cocoa, and roasted, charred malt.

T - Strong coffee and chocolate. Like a milkshake or chocolate cake finished with a shot of espresso.

M - Perfect body for a porter. Chocolaty and roasty goodness. Highly enjoyable to drink.

Such a fantastic beer. It may be due to the nitro-tap, but I gotta give this beer a perfect "5". Everything the style should be.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-23-2011 03:02:01 | More by Gatch

DrunkPagan

Rhode Island

5/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I love coffee, and I love beer. Naturally, I love coffee beers. This beer is easily one of my favorites, if not my favorite. It is simply perfection in a bottle.

It's smooth, creamy, rich but not heavy, and tastes like the most perfect coffee married the most perfect porter. This is one of those beers I could drink all night if I didn't need to sleep at some point.

I originally had it in a bottle, but when I had it on nitro tap, I was blown away. The nitrogen gives the beer just a little added crispness that turns it from a 9 all the way up to 11.

I could go on about how perfectly the malt and the coffee work together, or the way it's perfectly balanced, or how I really want another one right the hell now. However, if there is one flaw in this beer, it's that I can only have one, or maybe two before I'll be up all night. I already drink a lot of coffee as it is.

Still, this may be the perfect coffee beer.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-11-2011 13:17:49 | More by DrunkPagan

Liverpool08

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

WoW. Just an outsatnding Porter. Dark black with a thin Mocha head. Aroma of sweet coffee and toffee. Taste is spot on. Sweet coffee and mocha, but not in an sicky sweet way. Flavor fades to a slight bittness that enables one to sip again. This is a great after dinner beer or just a nice casual sipper. I am really impressed with the overall balance between the coffee flavors and the drinkibility. A great brew.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-23-2010 03:18:04 | More by Liverpool08

rowingbrewer

Massachusetts

4.93/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A- exactly how I would expect a nitro tap porter to be served. rich brown color and a nice nitro head.

S- rich coffee aroma that is slightly sweet smelling

T- Can't even begin to describe how perfectly the coffee and malts blend to create what seems like an iced coffee that was sweetened with malts. (may not sound that good, but like i said i can't begin to describe it)

M- very well balanced bitterness and malty sweetness, and having this on nitro tap brought its smoothness to the next level. (though it is an amazing beer in bottles as well)

D- I could drink this beer all night, and never want for anything else

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-15-2010 04:04:59 | More by rowingbrewer

deafcat

Washington

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

11/6/10 nitro tap at Sunset bar and grill in Allston, Mass.

a - black with full inch head - great retention

s - chocolate, roasted, bitter smells, really makes you want to dive straight into the bear

t - delicious, not the coffee/espresso i was expecting as much as a smooth, delicious, very slightly sweet, chocolaty sensation.

m - nitro tap makes this nicely fizzy and delicious on the tongue. I've seen the nitro tap at sunset for awhile now so if you get a chance to check it out there, I'd recommend it.

d - pretty drinkable brew. A little heavy, but still delicious and not too strong. I could see myself easily polishing off a bomber of this.

Overall this is a great brew - especially with the nitro tap at Sunset. Don't be put off by the "coffee" - this is the way a porter should be; a little sweet, a little chocolate, a lot of dark, malty goodness.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-07-2010 06:37:06 | More by deafcat

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a pint on nitro at the Wild Colonial in Providence, RI. I dont know if the nitro was the best option for this beer. I was certainly smooth, but it didn't have a character that I'd rate as an A-. Yes, there was a tasty mix of dark-roasted coffee and chocolate, but at times it just seemed dull on my palate for such a highly-rated beer. Still a fine beer, but I've had better coffee porters. There just isn't enough porter flavor.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-21-2010 21:39:21 | More by tempest

CudOfCow

Massachusetts

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

Nitro Tap.

Appearance: One inch creamy head that goes great with a moustache. Black and tan creamy suds that waterfall down through the glass. Leaves a few sticky lace rings.

Smell: The best part of waking up. Coffee with cream, sweet roasted malt with a slight spark of hops.

Taste: Creamy and warm, a little dry but not overwhelming. The hops is more noticeable to the taste.

Mouthfeel: Sweet and creamy, towards the middle of the glass when most of the head was gone it started tasting a little more carbonated.

Drinkability: On nitrous i could drink this all night long. It is definately a beer to be enjoyed at night time when you are planning on staying awake. I've had it in the bottle before and i wasnt as impressed as i was on draught. From the bottle i felt like this beer tasted more like coffee left on the burner too long, but i really enjoyed the nitro draught and will definitely be coming back to get it again.

Serving type: nitro-tap

06-21-2010 03:42:42 | More by CudOfCow

LittleDon

Texas

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

13 oz pour at Sunset grill, Brighton, MA. Jet black, but with noticeable nitrogenization. Dense off white head, as it should be. Coffee and port aroma with a hint of vanilla. Heavy up front, but not the creamy, tounge coating feel reminiscent of brew on nitro. Coffee with some alcohol noticeable. Improves considerably on warming. Mouthfeel is somewhere between a stout and porter.

Serving type: nitro-tap

06-08-2010 01:22:53 | More by LittleDon

rshwayder

Rhode Island

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

Rich on a nitro tap, this porter is chocolaty with strong lacing and a dense, creamy mouthfeel and strong head retention (reminiscent of Guinness Draught).

It has a smooth and savory coffee taste and aroma without the astringency you might associate with coffee-adjunct beer.

Not overly bitter, not overly sweet, but very easy to drink.

Serving type: nitro-tap

04-17-2010 16:17:48 | More by rshwayder

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

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

On tap (nitro) at the Armsby Arms.

The beer pours a very dark brown color withan impressive looking creamy head. Retention is excellent, and there is considerable sticky lacing all around. To no great surprise, I get a considerable amount of coffee on the nose, with a hint of tobacco. On the palate this beer is flat out delicious, with a flavor profile of coffee grounds, vanilla and a hint of chocolate. The mouthfeel is very soft and creamy in this moderately sweet porter, and has a soft "lightness" to the mouthfeel that I appreciate. At 6.2% abv., this beer is amazingly drinkable.

Exceptional, and one of the best porters I can recall having in some time.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-01-2010 13:54:36 | More by johnmichaelsen

Chico1985

Massachusetts

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

Dark brown with a nice foamy off-white head. Smell is faint of coffee and slight chocolate. Nitro-tap is excellent for this beer, the head tastes like espresso foam. The tastes are simple but great, coffee, dark malts, dark chocolate. Coffee is excellent in the aftertaste. Nice hop addition, maybe citrus and grassy? Nothing over the top about it but it's just great and easy to drink. I've had this in the bottle too but it's definitely worth trying again on nitro-tap (which I think Dive Bar permanently has), great in either version. Great price for this too. I've had lots of Berkshire's beers and I'd say this is easily the highlight of their lineup.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-06-2010 17:08:42 | More by Chico1985

mostpoetsdo

Rhode Island

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

Had this on nitro-tap at the Mews, Wakefield, RI.

A: A nice dark brown, near black. Tan head that sits on top of the beer for a while, very nice lacing.

S: Nice malt and coffee smell.

T: Coffee right off the bat, combined with roasted malts. Pretty sweet, very impressive. Just a solid coffee flavor that isn't overwhelming with just the right amount of porter goodness.

M: Incredibly creamy and smooth, got to love nitro in this aspect.

D: Just great, I always get this when it's available.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-04-2010 04:21:33 | More by mostpoetsdo

oddfire

Massachusetts

4.68/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- This beer just looks awesome. Two finger head with moderate head retention. Lacing present. Dark brown to almost pitch black.
S - I love coffee so this beer smells great. Some roasted malt and very slight vanilla hints are present.
T - Very balanced coffee flavour with a smoked yet not overpowering flavour. Roasted malt is present. Not much hop flavour if any.
M - One word....Smooth. This porter is very smooth and feels good while drinking.
D - Very drinkable for a coffee porter. You could drink more than one.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-10-2009 00:13:58 | More by oddfire

Jwale73

Rhode Island

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

Served in a standard pint. Poured a deep brown with some light penetration around the edges revealing ruby-red highlights. Half inch, dense off-white head (excellent retention) exposed thick, concentric bands of lacing as the brew was consumed - incredible legs. Nose was coffee beans - nuff said. Taste follows nose, with the addition of some chocolate notes in the mix. Mouthfeel was medium-bodied and extremely creamy with a pleasant carbonation in the back to round it all out. Easy drinking and quite flavorful. I thought this brew was decent in the bottle and good on tap, but nitro really brings out the character of this beer. Top notch.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-25-2009 21:11:15 | More by Jwale73

auxiliary

Rhode Island

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

appearance - Dark brown color, nice beige head that left some thick lace on it.

smell - Chocolate, coffee and expresso.

taste - Roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, coco, just a smooth taste.

mouthfeel - medium heavy body.

drinkability - Mmm one of favorite beers and it was intereting to find it on nitro tap.

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-12-2009 04:08:54 | More by auxiliary

Redrover

Illinois

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

I was excited to see this on tap during my latest visit to Boston. I decided to have this beer for desert.

On nitro, the beer was poured into a standard pint glass. It was dark brown with a few red highlights. Nice creamy beige head.

Nose of roasted malts, coffee, brown sugar and a bit of earth.

The taste is sweet with molasses and a touch of charred malts and a hint of smoke. Coffee is present but not overpowering. This beer starts well but fades a bit at the finish as a chalky and dry taste emerges.

The mouth as expected from a nitro beer is creamy but it thins in the end.

I like this beer but it would be a once in a while beer for me.

Serving type: nitro-tap

06-10-2009 22:38:55 | More by Redrover

roopy40

Rhode Island

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

Poured into a pint glass from a nitro tap

A - Very dark brown to black in color. Wonderful bulb of foamy white head after the beer had settled. Head retention was off the charts and it left some sticky webbed lace.

S - Coffee right from the start that drifts off into hazelnut land and you also pick up some chunky chocolate chips and vanilla in the end.

T - Coffee again, picture sitting outside in Seattle and drinking a cup of black, dark roasted coffee in the early morning on a dreary day. Dark chocolate notes this time, now I taste the creaminess of the head as it slides down off my lip and I clear my chops of any with my tongue, wonderful.

M - Smooth and fluid on the tongue, less carbonation than usual tapped beers, but that is expected from a nitro tap. Not too thin, not too thick, medium bodied and wonderful as I would expect from a porter. Coffee drenches the buds and slaps the palate in this great porter.

D - Very drinkable beer. Smooth, creamy and delicious flavor comes from the coffee and slightly bitter chocolate. I'd certainly start the night with one of these again. Especially on a cold, windy winter night, like it was when I slowly sipped this one.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-13-2009 16:26:07 | More by roopy40