Old Viscosity - Port Brewing Company / Pizza Port

scottoale

California

4.88/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A very special cask of a very special favorite of mine...three words that best describe the difference between this and the standard OV : smoother, mellower and boozier.

Served in a pint glass, thick, blacker than molassas with a film of cocoa- brown cream head and no visable carbonation...it looks like a sipper.

Sweet dark roasted malt, rich dark fruit undertones compliment chocolate, coffee and licorice that just reel you in for the taste.

The taste...incredible! This is a gourmet meal and dessert in a glass. It tastes just like the smell, only better. I can't get enough of this stuff even though it took 45 minutes to finish one pint!

Big body with big ABV and a smoother than silk mouthfeel, I can't recommend this one enough...Cheers!

Serving type: cask

08-10-2006 11:19:08 | More by scottoale

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

4.24/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours deep brown, nearly black with a full tan foam head. Nice clingy lace. So dark light won't shine thru.

Dark coffee, cherry wood, alcohol, ark roasted malt in the nose.

Rich dark malt, with a strong chemical alcohol bite, leading to a long deep bitter finish. Big and boozy, you sense that there are some sweet malty sugars back there somewhere, but they get bullied out of the way by alcohol and hops. Rich and deep, but not alot of layers of flavor. Not a true one trick pony, but essentially charred malt, booze, hops, repeat (after each sip).

Fuller bodied with an alcohol burn and a little carbonated tingle.

Great brew. This beer is what it set out to be. Good serving size too. A bomber would wreck you. I'd like to lay a bottle or two down to see what his is like when it has mellowed a bit.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 22:33:16 | More by OtherShoe2

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear yet opaque jet black in color with moderate amounts of visible carbonation and dark amber + cola brown highlights. The beer has a two finger tall dark tan head that slowly reduces to a medium large very thin film and a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of dark roasted malts with some very light hints of oak.

T: Similar to the smell, there are moderate to strong flavors of dark roasted malts with some light to moderate notes of oak. Moderate amounts of lingering bitterness.

M: Less than full bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Light notes of drying especially in the finish.

O: The alcohol is well hidden in this beer and it is enjoyable but it unfortunately suffers in comparison to some of the others that were shared at this bottle share.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 23:10:44 | More by dbrauneis

KFBR392

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Bottled on date of 10/18/11.

Appearance: Strong head formed on the pour, about 2 fingers worth. Dissipated to an above average presence around the edge of the glass for an imperial stout. Pours with a medium bodied thickness. Very light lacing on the glass.

Smell: A lot of oak and smokey malt. At the same time a nice balance of crisp hops still at this point in the brew which is impressive. Some smoothed out bourbon and silky vanilla. Has a very crisp sharp edge to the aroma.

Taste: The front is some sweet bourbon and vanilla. That rolls into a sizzling hops and powerful oak characteristics which are potent on the palette. Some of the sweetness from the bourbon and vanilla stick through into the body. The aftertaste in a lot of dry bourbon which has a slight funk in the flavor.

Mouthfeel: A mixture of the oak texture and dark sweetness is an interesting combination.

Overall: I was so surprised at the characteristics of this beer. Didn't have the powerful darkness many aged stouts do, the oak characteristics stood very strong and crisp. A very complex and interesting brew. This beer is definitely worth cellaring for a while. I recently purchased an Older Viscosity and look forward to doing a side by side.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 02:31:19 | More by KFBR392

evanforbeer

California

4.36/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

poured from a bomber into snifter- jet black with fluffy woody-tan head. bottle date 3/7/13

aroma- roasted malt, leafy hops (maybe a touch of mint?), musty fruits, espresso, cocoa

taste- starts with some lush vanilla and subtle dark fruits, bourbon as does viscous dark roasted malt, bakers chocolate, subtle espresso, toasted marshmallow, finishes with a some nice crackery roasted/dark malt, some leafy/citrusy hops, bourbon, and vanilla

feel- medium-full on the palate. Viscous and kind of sticky. very nice

This is a fantastic brew, in my mind is one of those "burly" imp stouts (although Port doesn't really identify this as that... or anything) that isn't overly sweet and has that burly dry roasted dark malt tinge. Well balanced with a delicious and complex profile-- I swear I get a now of toasted marshmallow in there.. Great beer, especially for the price

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 00:29:03 | More by evanforbeer

metter98

New York

4.05/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a half finger high dark beige head that died down a bit but left a thin head that mostly covered the surface.
S: Light to moderate aromas of dark and roasted malts in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has a light to moderate amount of bitterness. Hints of oak are also noticeable and linger through the finish.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. There are some hints of dryness from the oak barrel aging and roasted malts.
O: This beer isn't too difficult to drink considering its strength because for the most part the alcohol is well hidden from the taste.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 18:11:49 | More by metter98

Jimmeekrek

Wisconsin

2.51/5  rDev -39.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

After reading reviews of this, I had fairly high hopes for this beer. Very disappointed to say the least. A very average beer, that had such an overwhelming bitter burnt coffee taste, that it basically masked all other flavors in it, including any signs of barrel aging. Maybe I just got a bad bottle, but when I split a bomber 3 ways, and still end up with about 3 ounces being poured out, it's a rather epic fail.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 08:14:53 | More by Jimmeekrek

arfenhouse

California

4.36/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

A: Black body with big brown head. Good retention and some lacing.

S: Big dark chocolate upfront followed by some vanilla. Dark fruits and coffee scents are in the background. A fair amount of maltiness.

T: Dark chocolate comes in bitter along with a bitter roasted grain. Slight alcohol sting finishes the rough portion of the taste. A bit of vanilla and sweeter chocolate come in. A slight bitter dark coffee in the aftertaste. Overall roasty and bitter.

M: Medium-thin mouthfeel. Medium carbonation. Fairly drying.

O: Very good imperial stout with price considered.Nice and bitter with a fair amount of sweetness. Big and complex for the price.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 08:21:00 | More by arfenhouse

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle with a 8/7/12 bottling date into an unbranded snifter/short-stemmed tulip

Just like the description on the bottle, pours dark motor oil brown, thick and viscous. Topped with a big fluffy, cream-colored head. Exceptional retention and splotchy lacing left behind on the glass. Roasted grain and malt, baker chocolate, big barley presence, all accented by toasted oak. Roasted dark chocolatey malt, some prune, perfectly balanced roasted grain, burnt raisins, and dried black cherry. Finishes with more roasty notes, bittering hops, and bitter unsweetened bakers chocolate. Full bodied, creamy and very smooth. Velvet on the palate. This is one exceptional brew and among the top tier of the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 06:05:02 | More by chanokokoro

olfolxholme

California

4.24/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

22 oz bottle into Deschutes tulip snifter

A - Gorgeous rocky head - about two fingers of dark mocha foam. Great "legs" like lacing. Good head retention. The beer is a deep deep, near black crimson. Like charcoal with a hint of glow.

S - Nice roasted malt, vanilla, and coffee aromas. A hint of lemon - what? Just reporting the facts.

T - Boozy chocolate, marshmallow, coffee, vanilla, dark roasted malt. Great. Will admit, the lemon is hiding in the aftertaste, too. It's not distracting, but it is surprising.

M - Viscosity delivers here. Really enjoyable texture. Presents itself with a lush, oily wash, exfoliates with a nice level of carbonation, and leaves a buzzing coffee bitterness behind. Oiliness develops after multiple sips. This is possibly the strongest component of the beer.

O - Highly drinkable, mostly owing to the mouthfeel. The aroma and flavor are both very good, but the way it dances those across your palate is what seals the deal. Absolutely worth trying. This beer is probably one that would appeal to beginners as well as more "Experienced" drinkers. I am particularly impressed with this bottle, because I can personally vouch for some of the sub-par storage it had to endure before consumption. I'll have to try a fresher, better kept bottle to compare, but this was really great.

49

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 01:13:22 | More by olfolxholme

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

This poured out as a nice beer black color with a tan head on top. The retention is pretty decent but not much lacing. The smell of the beer is oaky, roasted and semi-sweet. The taste of the beer has a subtle tart flavor from the oak. There is a balance sweet chocolate with roasted bitterness. The mouthfeel of the beer is pretty thick, it's a bit oily with a sharp carbonation to it. Overall this beer is pretty good all around. Worth having.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 04:01:42 | More by Knapp85

stcules

Italy

3.93/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black. Beautiful light brown colored foam.
In the smell toasted, burned coffee, dry fruit. Note of cappuccino and vanilla.
In the mouth toasted, burnt, again vanilla, and then an intense and long bitterness, long note of coffee, chicory, roots and artichoke, too. Full and round.
The alcohol is hidden.
In the aftertaste toasted, wood, vanilla, and in the end, articoke and a long and pleasant bitterness.
Structured, good.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 21:20:46 | More by stcules

JamesShoemaker

New York

4.04/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle poured into my snifter. 2011 vintage, ≈ 15 months old. Big thanks to Kenye for this bottle in our trade. Great extra man, thanks again!

A - beautiful. Definitely one of the best beers I've ever seen. Huge head on the forced pour (about half the glass, really), super dark brown out of the bottle and settling black. Foam recedes quickly, lingering film as it goes down the glass.

S - surprisingly sweet, big chocolate and whiskey notes, smells more like a milk stout than anything. I can pick up some woody tones and alcohol from the barrel aging. I don't necessarily like the smell, but it's definitely complex.

T - very smooth, if a little one-sided. There are some nice sweet tastes at the beginning, but they fade quickly into a bitter, carbonation-driven coffee flavor. It's really not complex. I must have been imagining the wood smell because I don't get it all in the taste.

M - again, meh. There's nothing wrong with it, but there's also nothing good to say about it; very carbonated and hardly any depth.

O - glad I got to try this, but I think I'd only ever get it again on tap. It boasts that it's barrel aged and 10% ABV, but it's amazingly bland. Not bad, but nothing to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 01:33:22 | More by JamesShoemaker

Dope

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Unsure of bottling date, none listed. Assume it to be around 2 years old.

A: Pours a dark brown with an enormous fluffy light brown head. Ridiculous head like some belgian beers can be. Fades at a moderate pace and leaves skeletonized fluffy chunks of lacing everywhere. Nice island of foam persists.

S: Kinda oaky initially. Get some cocoa powder and some char in there. Some smoky, meaty aroma too. Finally, a bit of anise. Smells kinda dusty, maybe a little oxidized?

T: Interesting. Some sharp flavors despite a couple years in the cellar to mellow this one out. It's actually a bit boozy up front. Strong bitter chocolate and with tons of oak initially with hints of dark fruit. Maybe some hop bitterness in there too? Pine mainly I'd say. Chocolate turns really bitter with some char and a little smoke mixed in, in the middle. Finish has a little of that smoked meat flavor from the aroma, mixing in with a little anise and chocolate. Long oaky aftertaste.

M: Full bodied, feels like it should be heavy but strong carbonation fluffs it up a bit.

O: Not a bad stout but I expected it to be a bit heavier and a bit more mellow after some time in the basement. As it is it's just a decent example of the style. Very heavy on the oak. Can't complain, decent complexity and balance of flavors. Maybe I was just expecting more. Will have to try an Older Viscosity next...

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 05:33:10 | More by Dope

ElSid

California

4.06/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The Beers of California

#58

Bottled Date: 11/14/12

A: Black, thick, and viscous like oil with a soft pillow of light brown head, which beckons my sleepy head and refuses to dissipate.

S: Bouzy with sweet cocoa, vanilla, and espresso bitterness. There are also some notes of raisins and moist soil.

T: There is a large vein of bouziness with branches of vanilla and espresso bitterness. The edges are burnt wood and there is an added component of raisiny sweetness. The vanilla smoothness brings to mind marshmallows, paired with leaves, earth and the smell of soiled hands after a hard days work.

M: Smooth as silk yet still manages to pack a wallop. Perfect carbonation and full bodied.

O: Round and strongly built, this sturdy stout is smooth and complex but not overpowering. Port shoots for the moon and barely misses landing in the stars. This stout, although not amongst the greats, still deserves respect.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 04:37:01 | More by ElSid

argock

Virginia

3.7/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 22 oz brown bomber into a clear glass snifter. No freshness date but purchased in fall 2011. Purchased at Binny's Liquor Depot (Chicago, IL).

A: Black with slight chestnut edges and topped with a copious 2-3 finger, light beige head like a cola. Good retention and respectable lacing.

S: Aroma is strong with dark, roasted malts and slightly sour, brown ale type notes. Fairly hoppy with earthy and pine aromas.

T: Roasted character is most dominating throughout although with warming more chocolate notes come through, especially in the finish. There is still a pretty big hops contribution, with pine and citrus notes poking through to provide some complexity and dryness. There is also a slight meaty, soy character with a sour bent that isn't that great which is probably the second most dominant flavor. Not a bad stout, but is easily beaten by many. The finish is pretty dry, most likely owing to the above-average level of hopping and some tannic oak notes. Unfortunately there are no other barrel character to this beer, but they aren't all that prominent anyway, as only 20% of the total stout mass is barrel aged.

M: Slick without being syrupy and the alcohol is well-hidden. The soyish character provides some unwelcome thickness. Carbonation is low but measured.

O: Not a bad double stout but far from competitive with the top tier. I am glad I tried it but wish I had opened this shortly after purchase rather than waiting 15 months.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 03:01:50 | More by argock

djaeon

California

4.26/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours pitch black, with a thick cappuccino-like head. Leaves great lacing. Smells of coffee & smoke with a light booziness. Tastes of dark chocolate and black coffee. the light booze aromas aren't present in the taste. Nicely balanced. Light bitter aftertaste. I could easily and gladly drink the whole bomber myself, but at 10%, I'm glad my wife wanted to split it with me! Definitely looking forward to having more in the future.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 03:12:22 | More by djaeon

rajendra82

Georgia

4.34/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

The body was dark brown (27 SRM) in color, with ruby highlights when held against a light. The head was beige in color, with a craggy appearance and clumpy lace. The smell was dominated by cocoa powder, with a minor contribution by vanilla, and just a hint of toffee. The taste had coffee, maple syrup, vanilla, and burnt toast in it. The beer was quite astringent and drying in the finish, with lingering, warm, alcohol burn. The oak barrel aging was quite evident in the character of this beer. The fresh beer drank a little hot for my tastes, and would probably be better with some age on it.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 04:39:44 | More by rajendra82

Immortale25

Florida

4.19/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a snifter. Bottleneck says 11/14/12.

A- Pours an impenetrably opaque black color with a full inch of light brown head that retains excellently before slowly descending to an 1/8 inch head. Thick, full cobwebs of lacing. This is the way a stout should look.

S- Rich cocoa, caramel and creamy qualities in the nose. Slightly spicy and a hint of coffee.

T- Intensely roasty with a mild bitterness and big alcohol punch. Somewhat smooth in the front but the lingering burnt flavors offset it with their harshness. Notes of molasses, dark chocolate and a bit of smoke. Vanilla aftertaste.

M- Creamy but not decadently so. Little bite from the alcohol and hops. Medium carbonation and a highly viscous body.

O- The aroma is great and the presentation is fantastic but the flavor is a bit much for my taste. Better the more you get into it, but I'm not a huge stout guy.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 05:36:53 | More by Immortale25

Beerandboards

New Mexico

3.93/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured froma bomber into a large wineglass

This beer is awesome.

A - pours a thick black, with a thick and dene head. Looks great.

S - lots of dark chocolate, earthy malt, a teen teeny bit of barrel, so e coffee. Really nice complex nose.

T - follows much of the nose here. Hits hard with dark chocolate and bit a bit of anise(?). Comes though with smooth vanilla and creamy finish.

M - The carb is higher than I usually like in a stout, somewhere around medium, but!, it pulls it off. Very nice with all the aspects working together.

O - this beer is just so great. Such an awesome beer. For the low price and low effort it takes to obtain this beer, the cost benefit analysis is up there with anything else you will find. Very very solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 06:25:08 | More by Beerandboards

beagle75

Iowa

3.55/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass.

A: Opaque, dark borwn color with one finger of beige foam head. Moderate lacing remains on the glass.

S: Dark chocolate, licorice, cardboard, mild shoyu. No alcohol is detected.

T: Begins off-dry, with fermented grain and mild dark fruit. Acidity is moderate into the middle where roasted and chocolate flavors develop ahead of complementary umami. A sharp minerality heralds a drying trend into the finish which is moderately, but persistently, bitter. Savory flavors turn to just a whiff of lingering olive brine. No alcohol is detected.

M: Medium viscosity, slightly acidic on the palate, with moderate carbonation.

D/O: At a glance this beer appears similar to contemporaries, such as Ballast Point Sea Monster stout, but on further examination it exhibits more nuance and refinement than is typical. It is more about balance than extremity; while no barrel qualities stand out, it seems resonable that blending was used just to take the edge off.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 01:24:34 | More by beagle75

CA_Infidel2o9

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber to a Tulip

A- jet black w/ 3" long lasting brown head

S- dark chocolate, leather, bark, earthy, smoke, fruit sweetness, metal, alcohol

T- dark chocolate, fruit sweetness, smoke, acidic after taste

M- creamy, low carbonation, alcohol heat

O- i'm glad i picked this up. I usually pass on port brewing, but i've heard good things about this one and had to give it a shot. I love how well hidden the 10% abv is and only enhances the brew. That is a great sign of quality with this style, IMO. Awesome barrel, smoky, earthy aroma/flavor blend perfectly w/ dark chocolate. Fruit is ever present & there is a somewhat metallic acidic after taste that i've got from other BA stouts and can only think it comes from the barrel. Try this!

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 17:21:54 | More by CA_Infidel2o9

Pinknuggets

Vermont

3.73/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle to Lawson's sniffer

A: pours like motor oil thick and completely black with almost no head or carbonation thin tan head

S: smells like roasted black coffee but isn't too strong there is also smells of dark fruit and hint of alcohol

T: tastes of dark fruit nearing wine with a taste of alcohol but it follows the nose with roasted coffee but again not a strong flavor goes much more toward the fruit alcohol flavor as it warms

M: thin with a hint of crisp carbonation almost harsh not what I was expecting

O:loses any roasted coffee flavor as it warms and dark fruit comes out with an alcohol taste it's good but its not really my style of stout and the mouthfeel is weird and brings out the alcohol taste more

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 00:39:03 | More by Pinknuggets

macrosmatic

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to dogdoc for this one! Reviewed from notes. Poured from bomber into a Peg's snifter glass.

A: Pours a very dark brown, nearly opaque, with a sizable tan head for style. Medium visible carbonation.

S: Coffee, sweet malts and dark fruit, some roasted cacao and woody booze.

T: Follows the nose. Big on the roasted coffee with some definite booze character mixed with background woodiness.

M: Nice big body, lots of carbonation sensation for style. The alcohol is noticeable but certainly doesn't detract.

O: Very tasty. More barrel-aged character than I was expecting out of this. Recommended to be sure.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 11:42:31 | More by macrosmatic

Murrhey

Montana

3.53/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured on-tap at The Lost Abbey in San Marcos, Calif. Reviewed live.

A- Mocha head with a minute long retention. Nice ringed lacing. Black as night.

S- Deep chocolate smells, coffee and sweet cocoa. Smells deep and dark. A bit intimidating.

T- Coffee and dark malts. Chocolate and deep dark flavors.

M- Absolutely thick and sludgey, this beer is crazy.

O- Good beer. Bitter and dark as hell.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2012 04:25:38 | More by Murrhey