TREAT (Imperial Chocolate Pumpkin Porter) - Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

jampics2

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I enjoyed a 2009 edition about a year after it's release. Poured into a snifter.

The beer is nice looking in the glass. TREAT is a dark brown, almost black with just a hint of red on outside edges. The head rises then falls, but there's a nice ring of tan foam that demonstrates decent cling but does not leave behind crazy lace. Still very much above average - this is an attractive beer!

The smell lets me know I'm instore for a TREAT indeed. There are intentse levels of great spices - clove, nutmeg and cinnamon are all easily picked out, as is some chocolate and mild roasted malts. The smell is intense and well balanced. In a way, this smells like it could be a Christmas beer as well as a Autumn offering.

The taste is also very, very good. The roasted malt comes on first, with a substantial but never cloying sweet base of caramel. There's a great semi-sweet chocolate note. Then the spices accentuate the touch of pumpkin in the body with notes of clove, ginger and cinnamon. A touch of molasses and a bit of vanilla and brown sugar end this amazing tasting experience. I must say, the most wonderful thing about this beer is how it stays a beer that's enhanced by flavors, not dominated by them.

The mouthfeel of TREAT is just a touch thin compared to the best porters in the world, but it holds its own with decent carbonation and good overall feel. There's a touch of bitterness and lingering spice in the finish. This is a drinkable and enjoyable beer. I can't wait to enjoy it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2010 18:16:38 | More by jampics2

djre4orm

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

06-13-2013 17:59:15 | More by djre4orm

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to angrybabboon for sharing this long sought beer.

Appearance: Black for all intents and purposes. Deep dark brown when held to direct light. No head to speak of. Small cream with a splash of coffee colored collar. Minimal carbonation.

Smell: Dark roasted malts. A solid spiciness. Cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. A bit heavy on the nutmeg. Loaded with chocolate. Hits the range of milk chocolate, dark chocolate and cocoa. Squashy pumpkin flesh. Like a baked chocolate cinnamon pumpkin bread. Roasty. Vegetal. A bit milky and sweet.

Taste: Straight up squashy vegetal real pumpkin. Fill that pumpkin with a spiced hot chocolate and add a marshmallow. Roasted malts. Some cocoa and milk chocolate. Creamy and sweet, but tempered. Warming ups a bit of the spice component giving nutmeg a boost. Cinnamon and clove provide a bit of earthy spice. So much real pumpkin. Roasty sweet and smooth because smooth is a flavor.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and smooth. Body runs just full and costs the tongue. Light to medium.carbonation. Silky.

Overall: It's in the name.

A true delight. A bit heavy on the clove and nutmeg for my taste, Loaded with pumpkin and I appreciate it. Now to find a fresh bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 20:22:13 | More by Goblinmunkey7

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

4.19/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Consumed 6/8/13

Big thanks to magictacosinus for sending me this bottle. Split with Goblinmunkey7.

Appearance: Dark, deep brown, borderline black - pours with a decent, tan head - fades to a virtually nonexistent cap, with a ring, leaves a few spots of lacing

Smell: Interesting, as I had hoped - roasty, with some serious chocolate, and some sweet pumpkin flesh - honestly, does not smell as dark as it looks - dark chocolate, cocoa, milk chocolate - an interesting bouquet of spices, including cinnamon, clove, allspice, and some ginger

Taste: The advertising does not lie, this is most definitely a chocolate pumpkin porter - some really nice chocolate notes, including roasty, burnt chocolate malts, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and a cup of cocoa - there is a nice level of pumpkin flesh that works oddly well with the chocolate, in my opinion - nice mix of spices, perhaps a little heavy on the ginger (ok with me), with clove, cinnamon, and allspice

Mouthfeel: Medium body, nicely smooth, low (but nice) level of carbonation, oddly drinkable for something labeled "imperial"

Overall: It's like Halloween in my mouth!

I had hopes that I would find this beer disappointing, so I wouldn't have to go out of my way to trade for a fresh bottle next year. But this is not the case. With about 8 months of age this is drinking great. I'm curious what it is like fresh.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 20:16:41 | More by angrybabboon

ThePorterSorter

New York

3.9/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At least 6 months old at this point, unsure of how this was cellared....
The beer pours a dark watery black, very dark for a porter, with a razor thin blanketing of tan foam that leaves a tight bubbled lacing. The nose certainly spiced and aromatic after a good swirl promoting chocolate pumpkins/gourds and hint of boozy nutmeg. The taste is certainly more cocoa forward and sweet with little distinct pumpkin and mingling spices. Although the spice profile is...less than embalmed...there is still an interesting collage of spice, pumpkin, and chocolate that's really not present in any other beers. Wow, what is the potent raisin taste after it warms up?? I think it's a far cry from pumpkinator in its correct state, but is still supremely drinkable and tasty, even in the warm summer heat. It's a relatively full-bodied porter with a velvety mouthfeel reminiscent of Founder's porter. I'd love to try this beer when it's in season and hopefully witness the spices pop out against the rich chocolatey base, but think its still worth a try regardless.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 02:30:13 | More by ThePorterSorter

itracy63

Alaska

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

06-02-2013 02:10:10 | More by itracy63

dbc5

Ohio

4/5  rDev -2.7%

06-01-2013 23:45:06 | More by dbc5

Anonymous1

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.7%

06-01-2013 05:18:01 | More by Anonymous1

jkane101

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-30-2013 00:07:36 | More by jkane101

Smurf2055

Washington

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Into Duvel tulip from bottle.

Pours very dark with finger of tan head.

Smell is rich pumpkin spice. Not a lot of traditional porter smells.

Taste is strong pumpkin, bit of coffee and chocolate. More balanced than some of the other pumpkin porters I’ve tried.

Smooth.

Very good, probably my favorite Midnight Sun

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 05:10:22 | More by Smurf2055

bbadger

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%

05-21-2013 19:05:45 | More by bbadger

drgonzo2k2

California

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-18-2013 15:19:45 | More by drgonzo2k2

sendbeer

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

05-17-2013 15:34:25 | More by sendbeer

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%

05-15-2013 02:11:49 | More by SmellsofMahagony

AngusOg

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

05-13-2013 13:29:28 | More by AngusOg

Bonko_the_sane

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-12-2013 18:23:56 | More by Bonko_the_sane

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

650ml bomber poured into tulip 11/5/13 another bottle from Rutager, cheers dude!!

A the darkest brown with a deep cola edge, two fingers of dark foam only lasts a couple sips and leaves no lace, looks pretty basic

S cinnamon, all-spice, cola, root beer, chocolate and a little smoke, faint licorice and yes some pumpkin and just a hint of booze, smells great, everything's working well together

T more chocolate and dark roasted notes that weren't as strong on the nose, a little coffee I didn't smell, and I like the flavor but the nose had just a little something extra

M silky liquid, not as thick as the color would imply but the bubbles cream it up and give it some body, spicy finish lingers for ages

O great use of pumpkin and spices in what I'd assume was already a solid base beer, very easy to drink and the booze is well hidden

I'd drink this again but perhaps better suited for a chilly Fall evening and a turkey dinner, mmm turkey, now I'm craving, wish me luck convincing my wife to make a practice turkey.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 18:04:49 | More by wordemupg

atone315

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

05-11-2013 14:53:59 | More by atone315

TonyTalon

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

05-11-2013 04:31:07 | More by TonyTalon

BMart

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-08-2013 18:54:31 | More by BMart

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark brown-black with a finger of frothy chocolate-khaki head atop. Fades fairly quickly.

S - Roasted caramel and chocolate malts, pumpkin, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices, cocoa nibs, coffee, touch of booze.

T - Roasted chocolate and caramel malts, pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, other spices, molasses, cocoa nibs, coffee, dark fruits, and a touch of booze.

M - Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth with a sweet and warming finish.

D - Great pumpkin porter. Good balance.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 02:59:10 | More by ngeunit1

Atomicskis5

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%

04-11-2013 02:05:21 | More by Atomicskis5

Denoas

New York

4/5  rDev -2.7%

04-10-2013 23:56:29 | More by Denoas

AshleyMiller

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

04-06-2013 17:35:15 | More by AshleyMiller

vfgccp

New York

3.7/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - Black-cola body. Medium khaki head. Ok retention, poor lace.

S - Nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamon, vanilla ice cream, star anise, Mexican hot chocolate.

T - Smooth milk chocolate, nutmeg, canned pumpkin, grains of paradise, brown sugar, cocoa nibs, cinnamon.

M - Smooth, medium body. Creamy.

O - Nice complexity. Shade sweet.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 01:27:37 | More by vfgccp