Midnight Expression - Port Brewing Company / Pizza Port

Philousa

California

3.3/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

Pours a dark black with a khaki, creamy head, fitting the style nicely. Coffee, light roast, cream soda, wheat bread crust, and bitter chocolate round out the aroma. Flavor starts with sweet chocolate, a hint of lactic sugars, turns quickly to bitter, burnt toast, and dark, slightly chalky chocolate. If there are hops in this, they are well hidden. I'm guessing earthy English hops, since I don't get any nectar you find in noble hops. Feel is creamy with a slight chalk to even it out. Finish is slightly dry. Loving all the diversity of flavors in this sessionable lager.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 22:49:41 | More by Philousa

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.71/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

"It's not often that a great summer swell coincides with a full moon, but when they collide, nature affords us a rare opportunity to paddle out long after everyone has called it a day, these moments are a solitary pursuit with empty lineups, but those who carve graceful lines under a full moon understand how things can be dark, lonely and rewarding at the same time. So next time you paddle in from an overcrowded beach break, remember that nothing tastes better than a cold beer after a session. We suggest a glass of this smooth roasty black lager for contemplating empty lineups and waves that go on for days, most likely you'll long for epic summer swells under moon lit sessions opening the doors to isolation and empty secret spots of an age trying to pass us by..." Brewed in the style of a Schwarzbier (Black Lager). No bottle date, but this is their early winter seasonal release, possibly from late 2011. Purchased on discount from locals at Smokerise.

Poured from a 22 oz. bomber to a pint glass. Served north of 45º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a brown creamy head of a large size over a very dark brown body, near black. Retention is quite nice and lacing is thin but consistent throughout. The appearance of this beer is quite exceptional for what could have been a very shallow dark lager. 4.5

(Smell) First impressions are faint chocolate malt and some black patent malt with a roasty sweet tone paired with a bread-like yeast character. There's some fruit here too- dark grapes and plum mostly, perhaps indicative of an overdue bottle to drink. It's largely in balance still, even without a significant hop aroma, there manages to be a bitterness to round out the mild sweetness. The aroma is clean and the potency is medium at best. At its age it's not ideal but it is certainly a decent smelling beer. 3.25

(Taste) Up front is most of the aged qualities- the rush of unexpected fruity esters and a touch of wet cardboard oxidation. It all fades away quickly leaving a clean, heavily roasted caramel and black malt blend, slightly dry but expected for the style. the finish is very enjoyable, a wonderful blend of black malt bitterness and mildly chocolatey roast, with a touch of syrupy sweetness that keeps balance in check. Drinkable throughout, although a little heavier in body than the average Schwarzbier. 3.75

(Mouthfeel) Crisp and slick with a touch of airy carbonation, it has a slightly dry finish. Body is medium+ for Schwarzbiers, light-medium amongst all beers. The carbonation is very good for the style, not overly busy but lively. Alcohol presence is medium at the highest. 4

(Overall) Out of the schwarzbiers that I have had, this one is certainly one of the better ones, even with some (obvious) age on the bottle, most of the flavors are well preserved and the beer is quite well balanced. Carbonation is present but not overdone and neither sweetness or bitterness take over the flavors, leading to a drink that specializes on drinkability, especially fitting since I'm here alone with an entire bomber of it tonight. Worth a shot if you find a well-priced bottle or if you enjoy a fully flavored, yet light bodied and drinkable beer. 3.75

Port Brewing Company's
Midnight Expressions Lager
3.71/5.00

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 04:36:43 | More by Jadjunk

mltobin

Connecticut

3.74/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

I picked a bomber of this in Western Mass. Poured into a pint glass and it pours a black color with a thin light brown head, which continued to sit with a nice ring throughout consuming the beer. Its` nose has coffee, over cooked malts, some caramel. The taste is roasted malts, smoky, while a tad watery. Mouthfeel is very nice, it is creamy and finishes clean. All things considered, this is an enjoyable beer and while I was on the fence when I see it in the aisle (for the 10th time or something), I am glad that I finally picked it up on one of my infrequent visits to a bottle shop in my neighboring state to the north.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 00:49:34 | More by mltobin

BeerDawgs

Georgia

4.23/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 22oz bottle dated from 2011.

A - Pitch black, creamy looking, no clarity. No much head or lace, but this is what a Stout is supposed to look like

S - Roasted grain. Dark chocolate.

T - RIch. Caramel, sweet chocolate, coffee flavors. Damn tasty!

M - High in carbonation, smooth and oily. Excellent.

O - A great tasting, light, stout. I had this one after a Guinness, and it kicked the Guinness's butt. Very tasty and it won't knock you out like an imperial stout!

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 01:35:09 | More by BeerDawgs

DocJitsu

California

3.05/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours an opaque black. No head at all. Mouthfeel is wet with slight carbonation. It could've been a bit creamier. Aroma is pretty disappointing. Smoky like a burnt piece of toast. Pretty weak flavor of dark roast malt. Some underlying notes of plasticky cream. I'll never make this mistake again.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 22:15:28 | More by DocJitsu

BeerManDan

California

3.2/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

The color was a very dark brown, with a little tan foam and some lace on the side of the glass.
The smell of roasted malts, yeasty bread and a hint of herbs had a pleasant and soft aroma. The taste was different than the aroma. The taste had a bitter flavor of roasted malt (maybe over roasted, which gave it a smoky flavor). Also, a hint of an herbal nature. For me, not a Lager I would buy again. My first disappointment from Port Brewing!

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 22:31:01 | More by BeerManDan

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

2.78/5  rDev -28.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass.

Appearance
Opaque black with 2 fingers of brown head. Good head retention and decent lacing.

Nose
Caramel and hints of charcoal. Cocoa and a touch of dark fruit.

Taste
Pretty much follows the nose. Caramel, cocoa and charcoal. Some smoke and a faint touch of raisin. Some bitterness on the end.

Mouthfeel
Medium bodied and smooth with a slight crispness.

Overall
It is what it is. Easy drinking and a little on the boring side.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 16:20:02 | More by justintcoons

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Midnight Expression
Port Brewing Company / Pizza Port
Style: Schwarzbier
ABV: 5.00 %

LOOK: Pours a hazed dark brown with a bit of sediment. Looks like a typical schwarz, a bit lighter in color.

SMELL: Roasted malts, lager yeast, firm, bready notes, and a touch of herbal hops.

TASTE: Malty, smokey roasted flavors upfront with some nice char and hints of coffee. There is a bready, pumpernickel bread influence. Hops are mild, leafy, and noble, but have presence enough to provide ample bitterness to go with the roasted edge.

FEEL: Medium bodied, well carbonated, chalky finish, with malt and roast lingering.

OVERALL: Not a bad schwarzbier, highlighting a rich, malty flavor. Enjoyed this bomber for what it was and it did drink easily. A little loose around the edges, but still a solid dark lager.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 19:13:08 | More by Stinkypuss

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bottle into pilsener glass, bottled on 12/20/2011. Pours pitch black color with a nice 1-2 finger foamy tan head with good retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing on the glass, with a good amount of carbonation streaming up. Aromas of chocolate, roasted malt, toffee, caramel, coffee, light char, grass, and herbal. Very nice aromas with nice balance and complexity. Taste of cocoa, coffee, roasted malt, caramel, toffee, toast, herbal, grass, and earth. Lingering notes of cocoa, roasted malt, coffee, caramel, herbal, and grass on the finish for a bit. Nice flavor balance, complexity, and robustness; no cloying flavors at all on the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium body; with a fairly creamy, chalky, and crisp mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is well hidden with zero warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent schwarzbier! Very robust and balanced roasted flavors; extremely smooth and crisp to drink. Really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 03:59:55 | More by superspak

nickfl

Florida

4.03/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours with two finger of light tan foam on top of a black body. The head settles at a modate pace and leaves good lace.

S - smoky notes of dry toffee and chocolate.

T - Dry caramel up front with some dark bread. Light molasses in the middle and a finish of smoke, cola, and dry chocolate with herbal hops and moderate bitterness.

M - Medium body, moderately hi carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - Not bad, it is a little outside of the traditional German mainstream for the style, but that is to be expected from port. It is perhaps too roasty and smoky for the style but still white drinkable in the end.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 01:50:02 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

4.03/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: single finger tan head with nice lacing on a jet black.

S: roasted malts, coffee, dark chocolate and hints of vanilla. this is very stout like.

T: smokiness comes out more in the flavor with a nice coffee and roasted malt base. vanilla and milk chocolate late in the finish for a sweet ending.

M: full body with moderate carbonation. nicely smooth.

Overall: I have limited experience with this style. This one is very flavorful and full bodied but still light going down making it very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 01:49:34 | More by kylehay2004

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.83/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from 2/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a very dark brown, appearing black. Light to medium body. Thick medium tan head and lacing. Roasted malt, hops aroma. Strong stout-like coffee, chocolate and roasted malts up front. The middle and end are not as robust, but still pleasant. Flavor rapidly tapers off, probably because of the low ABV. As it warmed, the finish got a little bitter and sour. A tasty schwartzbier. An above average low ABV dark beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 19:10:43 | More by LiquidAmber

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

As a beer, this is good. But if the aim was a schwarzbier, then it seems to miss the mark a bit, to be honest. It strikes me more as a kind of smoky porter than a schwarzbier. But for what it is, it certainly is consistent. Nice and smooth and fairly deep. Probably just a bit too deep for the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 20:59:18 | More by RblWthACoz

BeerLover99

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: black body, trace khaki head, ok lacing

S: mild roasted malt, nutty, caramel

T: hint of chocolate, nutty/caramel malt, light coffee
roasted/mild bitter finish

M: light/med body, smooth mouth

O: Nice beer, enjoy the style + brewery.
Would recommend, might get again.

GOOD, NOT MUST HAVE!

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 17:53:54 | More by BeerLover99

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a pilsener- pours charcoal black with two fingers of bubbly tan/mocha head, good retention, minimal lacing. Visibly effervescent.

Lots in the nose- roasty malts, a little coffee, some cocoa nibs, and an earthy yeast. Appealing.

Great flavor- still a good amount of roastiness balanced by some dark malt sweetness, good amount of the coffee, a little noble hop bitterness towards the end.

Mouthfeel is excellent- medium light body (on the lighter side for such a dark beer) with moderate to full carbonation. Very drinkable brew but maybe not quite as full of a body as I would've liked. Get it if you like this style.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2012 01:59:36 | More by Hopdaemon39

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a bomber of this from Gary's in Wayne a week or two ago. I had never had any of Port's offerings before and when I first saw this, I thought it was a Black Lager. While this wasn't anything outstanding, this was a nicely crafted beer that was both enjoyable and easy to down, without being too heavy in the alcohol department.

The pour to this was dark, practically flat, and with a light brown head that faded relatively quickly. It was not too hard to enjoy this, as there was a strong burnt overtone to this with some chocolate, toffee, and a bit of Scotch Ale in the taste. No bourbon or caramel to be found here and the flavors and body of this led me to believe that this would make for a great dessert beer, like a Stout. This wasn't anywhere near as full as something of that style since the bitterness really wasn't there.

If this was offered in 12 oz. bottles, I would have had a few of them, given how low the alcoholic content was. Most people wouldn't think of this as a session beer but if a Stout or Porter is too heavy for you, this would easily suffice instead. This was a textbook example of a style that isn't widely available but is certainly worth a try nevertheless.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 22:32:25 | More by JerzDevl2000

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.4/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured a brownish color but appeared jet black in the glass. Dirty white cap, good head and lacing on this as well

S: Nice roastiness, some light cocoa and packed with nice floral hops and a hint of citrus

T: An immediate roasted malt, with some cocoa, perhaps some coffee blended with floral hops and some orange peel. Finish is pretty crisp, clean, light bittering

M: Well carbonated, pleasant, good light body but the presence seemed bigger

O: Wow. An amazingly easy to drink beer. I could reach for this all day.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 18:08:18 | More by barleywinefiend

socon67

New York

4.05/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Shared during my first hosted tasting

A - Black pour with a mocha colored foam.

S - Malty smell that has a slight bitter note from its hoppy component.

T - I just love the style in general, and this might be one of the best. A hearty malt flavor that goes to an bitter bite at the end. This is perfect for those folks who love black IPA's.

M - Awesome balance and transition of malty to hoppy flavor. Very easy drinking and goes great with many types of food.

O - I give it a boost for an uncommon style just done well. May the Schwarz be with you!

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 00:31:16 | More by socon67

Nerudamann

Arizona

3.5/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Look – jet black in color, with about three fingers’ worth of light tan-colored foam that dissipates somewhat slowly.

Smell – malty and roasted quality. Very sweet smelling like an oatmeal stout.

Taste – much like the smell, it has a malty quality right off the bat, but once in the middle of the tasting, the bitterness of the hops takes hold. In general it tastes more like a stout, but with a slightly less roasted quality than you’d expect.

Mouthfeel – pretty well-balanced, but definitely leans more toward the creamier side.

Overall – not a bad brew. It’s not quite what you’d expect at first, but it’s good-tasting and decently interesting.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 03:40:26 | More by Nerudamann

flagmantho

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 22oz bomber into a pint glass.

Appearance: extremely dark brown hue, nearly black. Head poured three thick fingers of frothy dark-tan foam. Head is nicely, if inconveniently, tenacious.

Smell: rich, roasty and chocolatey aroma is smooth and enticing, although there is a big hit of vegetal hop aroma which doesn't work well for me.

Taste: nice chocolate and coffee flavors here, with a definite charred-grain bitterness present. The vegetal character in the aroma isn't nearly as present in the flavor, thankfully. This is a very porter- or stout- tasting schwarzbier; I rather like it.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a big, fluffy effervescence that is quite interesting and refreshing. I like it.

Overall: a good schwarzbier. I don't see a lot of American craft schwarzbiers around, so it is good to find one. I'd definitely have this again.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 17:40:20 | More by flagmantho

mscudder

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Fresh growler from HopCity.

A - Pours a dark chocolate brown with a nice large fluffy chocolate tan head. Leaves some good lace behind.

S - Sweet chocolate and coffee, a personal favorite pairing of mine. behind this there are some notes of vanilla and some roasted malts. Very good!

T - Tastes of coffee and chocolate held together by a nice caramel roasted malt. As the beer progresses a bit of dryness comes through, showcasing nut and some slightly bitter flavors.

M - Medium body which is rich with a nice creamy sensation for being a relatively thin beer. This beer shines in this category in a growler versus the bottled version, where the carbonation from a bottle is high and here.... perfect!

O - I cannot say enough good things about this beer. The drinkability for these flavors is quite high, which I find relatively rare. On tap it is as good as I could image, fulling realizing the potential I thought possible when I had my first bottle around one year ago. I will state a bit of bias in that this is a personal favorite combination of tastes and such, but regardless this beer should be sought out by anyone looking for a complex dunkel.

Serving type: growler

03-17-2012 02:16:38 | More by mscudder

mactrail

California

3.45/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A dark and light bodied beer. Attractive head and lacing galore. A lot of the scorched malt taste. Feathery light, though, and makes an interesting contrast with the marshmallowy mouthfeel and the big dark roast taste. Well carbonated, almost creamy on the tongue. A lot of sour burnt flavors. Barely a hit of malty sweetness. Fainbt hint of caramel and roasted barley in the nose.

22 oz bottle from Windmill Farms market. Quite drinkable, but definitely on the blackened side of the flavor profile.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 05:55:40 | More by mactrail

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark heresy chocolate pour is dense black in the glass but offers little in the way of head and lace.

S: Earthy dark roasted malt, burnt wood, dark cocoa with a nice level of delivery.

T: Dark and bitter, earthy roasted woodiness and coffee with some burnt chocolate. Lingering coffee is roasty, fresh, and rich, yet smooth and silky. Finishes off with some roasted barley.

M: was quiet carbonation wise, oily roast feel.

O: Overall a black lager with a smooth easy yet respectable roastiness that is quite relaxing.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 23:20:36 | More by beerthulhu

ngeunit1

California

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a very dark black color with just a hint of brown and a finger of frothy and almost creamy chocolate colored head. The head fades down very slowly leaving behind some nice lace.

S - The aroma is a mix of roasted chocolate and a touch of coffee. There is a bit of sweetness with just a touch of smoke.

T - Starts off with a mix of roasted chocolate malts with a touch of smoke and some burnt flavor. There is just a bit of sweetness as well. Through the middle, some coffee flavor comes through alongside a bit more smoke. The finish is a mix of chocolate, bitter coffee, smoke, and a bit of cream sweetness.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a roasted and lightly smoky feeling.

D - Very drinkable. Nice balance of coffee and chocolate flavors with some complexity added with the smoke flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 03:13:38 | More by ngeunit1

mdfb79

New York

2.93/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

From 02/20/12 notes. Picked this up the day before in Middletown, NJ for $7.99. 22 oz. bottle into a tulip. Bottled on 12/20/12, so 2 months prior.

a - Pours a dark brown, almost black color, with one inch of light tan head and light carbonation evident. Looks pretty good.

s - Smells of roasted malts, a bit smokey, chocolate, coffee, some nuts, and some light vanilla or cream. Pretty good, nothing dominates or is too strong here.

t - Tastes of roasted malts, light coffee, and light chocolate or cocoa. Taste isn't bad at all, but is very weak and very bland. A major step down from the nose.

m - Light body and low carbonation. Body is smooth and easy to drink, but a bit watery which brings it down a bit.

o - Overall an okay beer, but not Port's best offering. Bosy is a bit thin and the taste is a bit bland. Wouldn't seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 16:49:04 | More by mdfb79