General Washington's Tavern Porter - Yards Brewing Co.

Eriktheipaman

California

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours black with rose hues. Tan head with amazing lacing.

The smell is sweet. A lot of dark fruits and a slight vanilla.

The taste is some dark cherries on the front with a roasty bitterness coming in on the back.

The mouth feel is the winner in this beer. Very velvety smooth and glides across your tongue.

Overall a pretty good beer and I would buy it again for sure.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 02:31:11 | More by Eriktheipaman

avaldivia

California

3.7/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Received in trade from Centennial. Poured 12oz bottle into a Belgian tulip.

A: Dark brown. A bit of a reddish tinge. Nice thick head with decent lacing.

S: Molasses. Roasted malts.

T: Nice roasted flavors. A good amount of hops actually. I like it.

M: A bit thin. Rather smooth. Good carbonation.

A nice porter. I would drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 04:14:24 | More by avaldivia

Chriscrundwell12

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a Minneapolis Town Hall snifter.

A- Big 3 finger frothy beige head, dissipates to nice tan layer on top. Pitch black color with red hues coming of the bottom, nice lacing and retention, opaque.
S- Roasted notes, dark malt, slight coffee, bitter sweet aroma a hint of dark fruits (plum), brown sugar.
T- Roasted malts, slight coffee presence, slight sweetness in the background with the bitterness being upfront, interesting tasting beer, not bad.
M- Medium mouth feel, thin body, well carbonated, crisp finish.
O- Not a bad offering from Yards, glad to try it once but nothing to special or mind blowing, thanks Centennial for sending this and the many other Yards beers.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 06:15:06 | More by Chriscrundwell12

Veillantif

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip at about 9 degrees C.

A: The label has a few flourishes of that nostalgia for an 18th century that never was, which we see often in Philadelphia. This should lower the expectations a bit: they wouldn't be appealing to history if it were THAT good, right? On the pour, it is chocolately opaque, and a fat finger of lacy head pops up and stays.

S: This is why I love beer: a rich aroma of toasty malt, with a just a hint of chocolate. Just beautiful.

T: Pretty damn nice, but not as rich or complex as the aroma. Also hoppier than the aroma made me think it would be, which lent another kind of bitterness than the chocolatey one.

M: I would add just a tad more carbonation to this: it goes down a bit too easy. But the aftertaste is pretty delightful for a long time.

D: I had planned to serve beer from a certain brewery based in Otsego County, NY to my friends from Europe when they arrive; I think I'll start them off with this instead. For one thing, its historic pedigree is unmatched (and one more reason to love this country); for another, it is an unusual pleasure to drink no matter what continent you're from.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 01:10:28 | More by Veillantif

MrOH

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Black with reddish brown highlights, two fingers of khaki head, decent retention. Lots of lace.

Chocolate, brown sugar, dark fruits. Like really high quality dark chocolate.

Slightly ashy roast for a second in the beginning, then dark chocolate and fruit. Quite tasty.

Silky, heavier side of medium, low carbonation.

A really solid porter. I tend to like a bit more oomph from the black patent, but this is thoroughly enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 04:06:00 | More by MrOH

beerboy9960

Oklahoma

3.8/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Special thanks to Rhong187 for this generous extra. 12 ounce bottle poured in a pint glass.

A: Pours jet black with an inch of tan head.

S: Not strong aromas on this one. Some hints of roasted malt, smoke, bitter chocolate, and coffee

T: Good taste to this one. You detect the coffee/roasted malt flavors at first, followed by the smoke and bitter dark chocolate on the aftertaste.

M: Good mouthfeel to this also. Medium bodied with a creamy texture and a good amount of carbonation.

O: Overall this is a good porter. Thanks again to Rhong187 for the chance to try this one. Would love to have again if I have the chance.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 04:10:16 | More by beerboy9960

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.18/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown appearance, not much in the way of head on it. Aroma was molasses and malt bomby.

Taste, pretty smooth. Velvet dark malt without a heavy roast presence. Alcohol seemed a little noticeable. More molasses. Sweetness tamed by the heavy malt bill. Surprising bitterness at times, didn't think the hopping would be anything more than nuanced. Despite the prevalence of molasses, the viscosity isn't way up there. Maybe some tobacco and leather to it.

The cost of this stuff is atrocious, what, is Washington's family getting royalties or something?

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 16:53:31 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.53/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer is dark brown with 1/4" of tan head that leaves a fair amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma brings some roast, malt, chocolate, and subtle alcohol. The flavor is decent, but relatively bland. The body is thin to medium, with solid carbonation. Unexciting, but unoffensive and easy to drink. I would drink a pint of this again.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 16:43:37 | More by Huhzubendah

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap, served in a pint glass

Appears an ink black with a thick, creamy khaki head. Sheets of lacing all the way down the glass. Aroma is of roasted malt, dark chocolate some dark fruits. Pretty straightforward aroma. The flavor profile opens up a bit. Dark chocolate, sweet dark fruits and dark roast with molasses and smoke. Medium feel, dry roast finish, a bit chalky, and a touch of coffee grounds lingering.

I liked this porter. A simple, straightforward take on the style, embracing the roots. Enjoyable from start to finish.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2011 18:59:39 | More by ColForbinBC

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.53/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A-Deep brown almost black. One and a half finger tan head. Decent retention. Lots of lacing.
S- Roasted malt, though not as much of a roasted malt character as many in the style. Some coffee notes in there as well.
T- A bit more hoppy than many in style. Just a bit of citrus and earthy hop notes. Finish is long with milk chocolate and a bit of coffee.
M- Body is light-medium for style, but I'm really underwhelmed by the lack of carbonation. Just too thin for style all around. Hides the alcohol well though.
O- A decent beer, but I really expect more body out of a porter. Good flavors, but they disappear and just don't linger like I'd like.

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2011 21:20:53 | More by jsprain1

ckollias

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this 12 oz bottle out a large snifter glass.

A: Dark black with amber highlights. Has a thick, light brown, frothy, one-finger head that quickly dissipates and leaves a gorgeous wispy lace all the way down the glass.

S: Strong malty aroma hits me at first, followed by hints chocolate, and cocoa powder.

T: Dark rich ale with a strong roasted malt bitterness. Mild chocolate and coffee overtones. Slightly hoppy and smooth.

M: Medium body and carbonation.

O: Nicely balanced porter. The alcohol is present but not overwhelming. An easy drinker and very enjoyable

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2011 01:52:40 | More by ckollias

beertunes

Washington

3.48/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to dwaz for for this one. Poured into 10oz glass. Poured a translucent brown, with a bit of a reddish tint, and had just a thin ring of khaki head with no retention or lacing.

There was some nice roasted tones in the aroma, not much in the way of yeast, spice or hops. The beer had an interesting tingle on the tongue. The roasted notes come through nicely with a noticeable yeastiness at the finish.

The body was light and crisp (for the style) and had a clean finish. Drinkability was good, the beer went down easily. Overall, an interesting brew. Worth seeking out for a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2011 05:34:29 | More by beertunes

yuenglingfan101

Indiana

5/5  rDev +30.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into glass. Head was about 2 fingers and the color was dark and rich not quite yet black. Taste was smooth and malty. Overall mouthful, this beer went down really smooth and was no after taste to it. Overall a good beer just the way General Washington intended it to be. Thumbs up and Bottoms Up

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2011 16:11:03 | More by yuenglingfan101

bpw28

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Three finger frothy mocha head, Tree Bark Dark Brown ( About a 38 SRM), Nice Lacing

Nose: Strong Roasted Malt, Chocolate, Yeasty, Dark Fruits.

Taste: Strong Chocolate, Maybe some pipe tobacco (It could just be me), Coffee on the tail end, Smooth, Good Fullness, Good Carb, Light Hop Bitterness.

Final Thoughts: The picture perfect standard of a porter, but thats it. But really, it seems like yards was shooting for one thing: Remaking Washingtons Porter. So mission accomplished. It's a great porter really.

Food Pairing: Meat, Blackened Items, BBQ (Sweet BBQ Sauces would be great), Pork with fruit salsa, Shark would be really great with this, Medium-Strong Cheeses.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2011 13:52:36 | More by bpw28

whitemomba

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Received as an extra from dwaz. Poured from my 12oz bottle into my snifter.

A - Heavy pour leaves a little head that stays throughout the drink. Some lacing sticks to glass. Very dark. Black.

S - Get a lot of toasted malts. Even some sweetness in the nose.

T - Big taste of roasted malts. Lots of molasses. Pretty sweet like the nose suggests. The sweetness sticks around on the aftertaste. Small taste of coffee.

M - Not too thick. Pretty bitter. I like that though.

O - Not a bad porter. Glad i got to try it.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2011 01:38:01 | More by whitemomba

tlazaroff

Virginia

3.6/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Slight hints of red/purple around the edges of the glass int he light, but dark otherwise. A nice mocha colored head, pillowy.

S: Roasted malt, bittersweet chocolate dominate the nose.

T: Big roasted malt flavors, and a nice bitterness upfront through the mid-palate. Subtle hints of coffee on the finish.

M: Light bodied and well carbonated. Very smooth.

D: Moderate, at 7% ABV

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2011 01:10:24 | More by tlazaroff

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

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

A - Almost black body with hazy brown edges. Sticky light brown foamy layer hanging to the inner glass.

S - A nose of fire roasted grains and tangy sweetness waft around. Yeasty pumpernickel bread and a nice mild dark spice profile.

T - Smokey wood and roasted malt up front. Bitter coffee cocoa and some milder fall/winter spices too. Molasses in the back end. A nice deep, dark flavor.

M - Mild bodied and medium carbonation make this one drinkable. This one has a dry roasty finish.

O - Delicious porter, well balanced and including some nice dark notes. Pretty drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2011 02:21:44 | More by BeerForMuscle

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a deep amber to black in color with a light tan head. In the aroma, sweet roasted coffee. In the taste, a small roast of sweet to dry coffee. A smooth and medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry roast in the aftertaste. Nice roast, with a nice coffee presence.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2011 12:19:18 | More by OWSLEY069

Haybeerman

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark brown color; ruby on the edges when held to the light. Poured a 1 finger tan head with fair retention to a wispy skim. Lacing sheeted the sides of the glass.

S: Toasted malts; coffee, chocolate and burnt toast. That was about it other than an earthy aroma that became more prominent as the beer warmed.

T: Consistent with the aroma. Malts were prominent and slightly sweet. Fairly sharp bitter brought the beer to a very nice balance. Faint earth/smoke flavor lingers past the finish.

M: Light to medium body (thicker than expected). Low carbonation. Smooth and rich with a nice sharp bitter.

D: Flavorful and smooth. Nicely balanced

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2011 20:15:00 | More by Haybeerman

bgildea

Virginia

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

A: Pours a dark brown color with a thick tan head that sticks around and leaves some nice lacing.

S: Nice smoky aroma of roasted, toasted malts. Besides the roasted malts, not much else comes through.

T: The flavor has hints of sweets with a tinge of roasted malts. The sweet flavor also balances nicely with the bitter aftertaste. The smoky flavor that comes across in the smell shows up late into the aftertaste, but is also enjoyable. Overall a decent balance of flavors.

M: Decent amount of chew to the beer. Not as thin as I was expecting.

O: Overall I found the beer to be very satisfying. The smell had some interesting smoky notes and the flavor balance the sweet flavor, roasted malt flavor, and slight bitter aftertaste. I'd definitely recommend you try this beer, especially considering its historical background.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2011 21:07:43 | More by bgildea

Retsinis

California

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Fellow BA (Thanks BigTuro) recently went to Yards Brewing company in Philly, and brought this growler back. When he said the claim is that this is actually a replicate of George Washington's recipe (and I myself having just traveled and toured Mount Vernon 1 month ago) I was very intrigued.

Poured from the Growler into a Bruery Tulip glass.

The beer pours a nice and deep, semi translucent dark brown. A think tan colored head rose about an inch, but did not retain. Light lacing on the glass.

The aromas are of roasted brown sugar, nuts, and a hint of coffee. I also get a very faint note of dark sour cherries.

The flavors are of mellow coffee, roasted malts, molasses, light dark chocolate, and a nice twinge of hops bitterness on the finish. Has a good mixture of roasted notes, with crisp carbonation, a slightly bitter, lightly dry finish, and is not as sweet as some porters.

Mouth feel is a bit thin for a porter, but carbonation was medium and smooth.

Overall, I enjoyed it, it's a solid porter, and something I would drink 2 or more of in a sitting. If it really is what George Washington was drinking, then he was a Beer Advocate. I can't believe it says this is 7%, I got no hint of that at all.

Serving type: growler

03-15-2011 21:20:55 | More by Retsinis

engisch

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep dark brown with a nice lacey head that coats the glass. Smells a bit of chocolaty sweetness with a slightly roasty or dark chocolate aroma.

Sweet malty slightly bitter chocolate flavor. A hint of molasses. There is a slight creaminess to the mouthfeel.

An all around nice porter. I would definitely drink this again if it crossed my path. Nothing crazy going on here. Great balanced porter.

Way to go Kehoe!

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2011 23:42:55 | More by engisch

beer2day

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark, dark brown pour with 1-finger dark chocolate head. Laces very well all around the glass. Decent head retention.

Chocolate with a nice shot of citrus hops hit the nose. Roast malt underneath. Very well presented.

Roast malt and bitter chocolate hit your tongue right away. The beer goes quickly creamy and finishes with a rich, medium bitter chocolate flavor. The citrus hops really start to come into the finish about half-way through the glass.

Feel is right on for the style. Very rich tasting porter, though, and could have used a bit more body to match up with that taste.

Slightly high abv is the only thing that brings down the drinkability. Really well done, if you are having only one or two.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2011 23:17:03 | More by beer2day

billab914

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into my Starr Hill pint glass. It poured dark brown in color with a modest and frothy tan head to it. The head retreated to the edges of the glass, where it left some nice lacing as I drank it.

The aroma has a lot of chocolate coming through. It has both bitter, dark baking chocolate as well as a milky, sweeter chocolate. Modest roasty flavor along with some sweeter malty notes.

The taste also shows a lot of chocolate malt to it. Like the nose it shows both a bitter, dark chocolate and sweet, milk chocolate. It has some roasty flavors to it with some hints of coffee that help balance out the sweet chocolate.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Drinkability is pretty good, It was a nicely flavored and easy drinking beer overall. It had some nice chocolate flavors to it that I really enjoyed. Very nice porter.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 00:21:05 | More by billab914

TheSupremeAJ

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into pint glass.

A- Very nice thick dark chocolate color with fluffy tan head.
S- Thin, alcohol present. Sweet malt and rich roasty flavors.
T- Sweet with molasses and chocolate, however balanced and restrained. Bourbon similarities.
M- Kind of thin for a porter and does not have a very heavy mouthfeel. Nice carbonation and smooth bubbles.
D- Smooth and easy. Alcohol notes are not masked as well as I would prefer, but this is nice for a cool night to warm up!

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2010 04:56:47 | More by TheSupremeAJ