Coal Porter - Atlantic Brewing Company

bewareOFpenguin

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +33.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured a nice chocolate color. Not too large of a head, but a good one, none the less. The taste was perfect. This was the best porter I have had to date. Perfect balance of sweetness. Goood hops. A magnificent beer, the best. I wish they sold it outside of Maine.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2003 06:48:16 | More by bewareOFpenguin

TAMU99

Virginia

4.7/5  rDev +25.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

THIS IS WHAT A PORTER SHOULD BE.

Holy Crap what a great beer!

A - pours almost black with a moderate head. bright light barely makes it though as a clear but very deep red/brown glow. Moderate lacee

S - Heavy on the chocolate and coffee, nice and malty, like opening the mocha coffee bean jar at the coffee shop, just smelling this beer is a treat

T - Astounding. This is a delicious beer. Heavy on the chocolate and espresso flavors. incredibly complex. Heavily malted, ,sweet but no cloyingly so. Rich mocha aftertaste. Wonderfully complex prfolies. Each sip brings new combinations of wonderful taste

M - Rich, liquid velvet, no bitter aftertaste. Rich, heaviness surrounds and cradles your tongue, lingers in your mouth for a bit

D - Very drinkable all day long, However, I can't give it a 5 as it may begin feeling a bit heavy 10-12 pints.

All around an outstanding beer. A must try for anyone traveling to Maine. It's a damn shame they no longer ship.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2004 01:46:06 | More by TAMU99

Gavage

New Jersey

4.53/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: dark black in color with a thick three finger head. Thick lacing develops during the drink.

Smell: aroma is of roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, and some bitterness.

Taste: the flavor is big on the roasted malts, mild espresso, dark chocolate, molasses, and rounded out with some decent bitterness levels.

Mouthfeel: medium in body. Creamy and smooth at the start. Finish is smooth with roasted tones lasting shortly on the tongue after swallowing.

Drinkability: one of the best drinking porters I have had. Several can be consumed without overfilling, and the flavors will keep it interesting for your tastebuds.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2005 00:29:55 | More by Gavage

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ahhh...one of my favorite beers here in Maine. Atlantic Brewing Company brews some great beers and their porter is one that I always look for on tap, but its also excellent out of the bottle. Atlantic actually cellars this one for six months it leaves the brewery.

Pours almost pitch black with a thin coffee colored head. If you hold this up to a light you still can't see through it, there is a lot of dark roasted malt going on with this one! The smell is very roasty, malty and that of dark roasted coffee. Its such a great smelling beer! Along with the coffee comes hints of hoppiness.

This is a rich tasting beer. Finishes with a nice bitter hop taste that mixes well with the malty sweetness and the almost burnt toast taste. Believe me, put it altogether and you have an outstanding porter and an all around outstanding beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2008 03:47:50 | More by indiapaleale

ZevG

New York

4.5/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

While this beer has everything I would expect in a porter - arabica coffee notes, chocolate notes, nice color, etc, the bottle was a little wierd. It has boxes to check off the date, but the date is not checked off, so who knows how old it was? Also the alchohol content is not displayed on the label. I like to know a little bit more about the beer I am drinking. Perhaps I'll keep the bottle just for its weirdness.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 17:34:59 | More by ZevG

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Part of my mix a six for the night. Wasnt going to get this beer, but never had it before, so I said fuck it!

A: Pouring in my stout glass, I get a thin dark color, looks like a stout, but has the body of a porter. No head in my glass but has some fine bubbles!

S: Smell is of sweet malts, with strong character of chocolate and caramel notes. Some dark fruit is present as well.

T: Stout type feel in the mouth which dominates with chocolate and toffee with a hint of caramel and dark fruit, like a cherry.

M: Nice and smooth, plenty of roasted malts, very easy to drink, just like a stout.

O: This beer is a nice surprise, at first glance you wouldnt think this beer would have such characteristics of a stout. Since it said coal-porter, I thought it would be something different to try, but something along the lines of a brown ale. Fortunately, this beer gave me a good, chocolate stout-like experience!

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 04:22:44 | More by SouljaSaia17

UnionMade

Colorado

4.47/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The beer arrives looking a thick, unfiltered opaque dark umber. Nearly black, with a creamy froth of tan colored head. It dissipates into a thin misty coating, but retains through the entire pint.
The aroma is mainly a mild, smooth roasty malt, exhibiting coffee and bittersweet baker's chocolate. Apparent yeast, lending a bit of breadiness, with a vaguely lactic quality. Mild herbal hops, with a touch of estery plum.
The flavor starts with a bold roasty coffee maltiness. Definite chocolate malt, providing a light mocha taste into the middle. Some plum and raisin, which compliments the coffee flavors very well. Bready yeast is present all the way through, adding some body and complexity. Hops are much more obvious than the aroma suggests, with a light herbal taste and even a bit of citrusy grapefruit. Great balance, with a lingering mocha aftertaste. Medium bodied, with smooth, mild carbonation and a pleasantly soft, rich mouthfeel.
This is a really great porter. The malt and hops are very well balanced, with just enough fruitiness and yeast presence to keep it a bit different and interesting. I'll certainly get this again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2004 01:13:16 | More by UnionMade

miclormic

Maine

4.4/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a very nice DRINKABLE porter. plenty of flavor but not the usual heavy porter taste. AGAIN,"DRINKABLE" don't have to sip. very large head that wanes to a 1/4 inch with much lacing on the glass.aroma is good and color is dark,but not black. I like the "drinkability" in a porter for a refreshing change.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 22:02:58 | More by miclormic

fdrich29

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This was the other 6-pack mom and dad bought for me while on vacation in Bar Harbor. Many thanks!

I can't decyher the "Best Enjoyed Before" date. Doesn't appear to have been marked on the label.

This is a fine example of a porter. Dark malt, just enough of that smokiness, plenty of body. This is a substantial brew and possibly the epitome of a good porter.

I've always overlooked Attantic Brewing for the more enticing and exotic brews out there, but I've been nothing but impressed with the brews my parents brought back from the brewery while on their vacation. This may be the finest porter I've ever tasted.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2008 22:28:18 | More by fdrich29

Atlas1

Texas

4.38/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I first had this beer several years ago when I lived briefly in Vermont. That I can now get it here in south Texas is a wonderful stroke of luck.

Poured into a barrel pint, the Coal Porter delivers a solid black color with a tan, one-finger, thick head on top. Some decent lace clings to the walls of the glass as the beer recedes. Faint reddish hues can be seen on the edges of the beer when held up to the light, but otherwise this is very dark beer. The nose is a thing of beauty: roasty, a bit smoky, baker's chocolate, coffee, chocolate milk, slight toffee, dark cherries, some fig, faint caramel. A really, really nice array of scents here. The taste is very nice too. Again, roasted sweet malts and chocolate, coffee, and dark fruit flavors. Finishes with a dry bitterness. Mouthfeel is smooth and even.

I poured this beer a bit too cold for my liking, so in my opinion it really took off once it warmed up a bit. The true flavors began to come through a bit more as it evened out. For my money, this is one of the best porters on the market. Sweet and savory all at once. More please.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2008 23:15:47 | More by Atlas1

guinness33

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a damn fine brew. pours a brownish/deep ruby colour with a massive tan head. smells of coffee with a bit of sweetness and chocolate. these smells are apparent in the taste as well. quite a malty brew. with a hint of hoppiness at the end as well. a bit more carbonation than i had hoped for/expected, but literally just a bit. certainly not a flaw by any means. overall, a tremendous session beer. i'll definitely be revisting this one often.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2003 18:06:05 | More by guinness33

tatoodkelt

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

A- Poured as black as its namesake with an inch thick chunky head that faded slowly. Sediment hanging throughout the glass.

S- Very roasted, faint chocolate.

T- Much like the smell, very earthy and no bitterness.

M- Definitely lighter and a little more waterythan I expected but still very good.

D- Very easy to drink, very sessionable. I'll be looking for this again.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2009 13:12:06 | More by tatoodkelt

rsgcwhite

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I can never refuse a beer that uses a homophonic pun, or for that matter, a good compound pun.

Somehow, this beer's name is uniquely appropriate - it has all the fiery complexity of turn of the century coal-mining (minus the black lung), and all the enjoyable dallyances associated with an old Cole Porter tune. Fantastic.

A: Poured with a sizable lingering head for a porter - deep brown color, like chocolate with a ruby overtone.

S: Chocolate and tangy freshness. It's not quite caramel - but something else, something smooth. Maybe a hint of chocolate milk.

T: Creamy, and by God, what a smooth finish! Initial roasted malts with good hop balance fades into glorious smoothness.

This is probably the most drinkable Porter I've had, but interestingly, it's neither too watery nor too sweet. It rides a fine line of being sufficiently complex yet drinkable enough for the palate; if I were a beer tycoon, I'd probably seek national distribution of this fine beverage.

Actually, if I were any type of tycoon, I would serve this to all of my coal mine child-laborers. Good beer!

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2010 11:54:52 | More by rsgcwhite

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I liked this porter and was surprised by how low the score was.

A - Pours a nice jet black in color with an inch of white frothy head.

S - Nice porter with typical cocoa, chocolate, and coffee tone. Good amount of roast.

T - Really nice and drinkable. I liked how balanced all mentioned smells come to play. Roast not overbearing, chocolate bitter yet slight, and coffee tones mild at the end. Finished rather sweet and roasty. Fantastic.

M - I found it creamy and overall medium bodied.

Overall I knew I would like this porter the moment I saw the variety pack but was scared since there was a "ginger beer" in it. Would buy a six pack but would not invest in getting a case.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2011 00:09:13 | More by DrDemento456

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a very deep brown, almost black, color with moderate tannish head. Smell is rich and roasty. Strong notes of coffee and cocoa also present. Very enjoyable toasty flavor, with when combined with the coffee tastes present an elegantly rich-tasting beer. Finished with a slight dryness that is a perfect ending. Very Nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2006 23:46:27 | More by tgbljb

drotski

Maine

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thin foamy head, black as old motor oil. Very nice for the style.

Smelled like burnt chocolate, very rich aroma. Roasted nuts and dark roasted malt smell.

Tasted of burnt chocolate, with a hint of coffee. Nutty aftertaste. Nice bitterness. Reminded me a lot of Sam Adams Chocolate Bock, only much cheaper and a litte more bitter.

Smooth, refreshing mouthfeel, but a little thinner than expected (due to the 6.5 abv I assume).

Overall, this is one of my favorite beers. Not for the faint of heart, this is a a real beer drinkers beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2006 02:55:17 | More by drotski

jasonjlewis

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a huge head with lacing that will never die. Nice dark brown color.

Smell is of caramel and chocolate malts with hints of tofee, mint, and an undertone of black licorice.

Taste is awesome with caramel, chocolate, tofee, undertones of mint, and a faint, but balancing hop bitterness. I am very surprised by this porter, considering the fact that I was unimpressed by other atlantic porter brews.

Mouthfeel is slightly creamy, but a little watery, needs a little more fullness.

This porter is awesome. I could easily make a session out of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2007 09:12:04 | More by jasonjlewis

drperm

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Durham, NC World Beer Festival 2007
This is certainly the best porter I’ve had in a long, long time, from either side of the Atlantic. It has a superb, excellent balance with nice subtle chocoloate hints -- but not the sort of chocolate that would limit it to a dessert pairing. This is the sort of chocolate note that says, "try with chicken in mole sauce....or marsala...or filet mignon..."
Superb.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2008 19:51:47 | More by drperm

deaconoflove

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Qualifier...my first taste was a cold pint at the brewery after a day riding motorcycles through Acadia. Way good stuff.
Ap. Not quite coal black, but pretty dark. Smallish tan head that fades away easily.
Sm. Sweet caramel up front first, a bit of chocolate and some background hops...roasty.
Ta. Chocolate? first, raosted coffee, roasted malts, some bitterness, but not citrisy, late hops and a lightly bitter finish.
Mf. Smooth and creamy, but thin for a porter.
Overall: Very good porter with just right roasted flavors. Wish I lived closer to Bar Harbor.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 00:11:59 | More by deaconoflove

EnojysAnyBeer

Colorado

4.3/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Tootsie-Roll brown with a superb head which leaves some lacing and retains very well

S- Foremost smell is roast malt alike a dark coffee roast. Also some chocolate and dark fruits.

T- Flavors are a mix of sweet, tart, and bitter elements resulting in an smooth, enjoyable taste alike the smell in balance with sugar and water.

M- Very smooth carbonation and a moderate body. A bit dry on the tongue

D- Very drinkable with no cloying or off flavors..

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2009 03:34:17 | More by EnojysAnyBeer

connecticutpoet

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This poured a nice dark brown color without much head. It looked like a good porter should.

The aroma was of roasted malt with definite coffee notes. I didn't pick up much hoppiness at all.

The taste was smooth, creamy, and chewy, with a pronounced flavor of the roasted malt. Every inch a superior porter.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2004 04:07:25 | More by connecticutpoet

villainchiwwin

Maine

4.28/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

poured from 12 oz. bottle
deep brown color with a thin but fluffy tan head. nice lacing left behind. malty chocolate and minor coffee notes in the smell - wish it were a bit more strongly pungent. tasted dark chocolate and big roasted malt with a great burnt, smoky character. the bitter backbone of this brew was subdued just enough to become deliciously present. the hops sit inside the overall balance cooperatively. tasty burnt smoke finish. silky smooth and medium-bodied. while not as bitter or embellished as some other beers in this style, this is an engaging and extremely quaffable porter that has a complex, satisfying taste.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2005 14:19:16 | More by villainchiwwin

purplehops

Maine

4.25/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This porter pours a rich chocolate brown with sparkles of deep red when light hits it. The head is light tan that leaves a spotty pattern around the edge of the glass. The aroma is of deep roasted malt with hints of hop spice. The taste is the bitter of black malt with a hint of dark caramel malt oiliness. The finish is hoppy which balances the bitter black malt nicely. This is by far my favorite East Coast Porter.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2002 12:05:17 | More by purplehops

merlin48

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

One of the "Maine in Tennessee" brews picked up at Knoxville's Leaf and Ale, that I missed when in New England, in July. This porter pours a dark brown, close to opaque, body with a small and shortlived tan head that leaves some spotty lace.
Aroma is very pleasant, with cocoa, hazelnut, and some hops bitterness.
Mouthfeel is excellent, with a moderate carbonation holding together a medium body that blends a dark malt presence with a hops bite.
This feels really good in the mouth, with roasted dark maltiness in spades. Hazelnut coffee, Hersheys chocolate, burnt ashes, and some bitter hops all come together well here. Lots of dark roasty maltiness here. Very nice.
This is one of the best American porters I've encountered. Very tasty, and highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2004 04:15:46 | More by merlin48

Suds

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I really enjoyed this brew: a wonderful, hoppy porter.
Purs with a thin, tan head atop a dark, almost obsidean beer. Huge aroma of roasted grain and malts is evident as soon as you pore the beer...caramelized, roasted, burnt, and grainy. The beer is mildly oily, and tastes of chocolate and licorice are evident. Seems hoppier than a lot of porters, but the hops provide great balance, and I loved it. Full, creamy mouthfeel. Nice brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2003 17:20:56 | More by Suds