Midnight Expression - Port Brewing Company / Pizza Port

BeerTruth

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got this bottle from Joey.

22 oz. bomber poured into a nonic.

Pours a full black with a creamy one finger tan head that quickly dies down to a thin layer of bubbles. Stickiness is very minimal, but some is there. Smell is of roasted grains, smoked barley, and some burnt popcorn. There are weak chocolate and caramel malt aromas in the nose as well. Taste is bitter coffee grinds and charred grains. Bitter earthy hops and scorched marshmallows on the tongue as well. Such a flavorful lager, perfect for this time of year. Somewhat dry and smokey in the aftertaste. Mouthfeel is light and soft with a steady carbonation. What a perfect session beer. Lots of flavor which leaves the taste buds begging for more. I wish I had more lower abv. beers like this in my fridge.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2008 01:05:44 | More by BeerTruth

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to mikesgroove for this one.

A - Black with ruby highlights and a thin tan head.

S - Strong roasted malt with a lingering bitterness and a touch of coffee and chocolate.

T - Big roasted malt with maybe just a touch of espresso followed by a touch of chocolate and a dry, grassy hop bitterness that lingers.

M - Light but not watery with a nice dry finish.

D - A tasty sessionable schwarzbier. I wish more breweries would make this style.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2008 00:44:25 | More by brewcrew76

Nipitato

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased a bottle at Julio's Liquors in Westborough, MA.

A: Light cocoa head. Very dark brown with ruby highlights. No light is getting through this one.

S: Lots of French roast coffee malt aroma here. A noticeable dose of sweet caramel and chocolate as well. Smells almost porter like.

T: The taste runs with the nose. Very roasty (French roast again). Roundness and richness really comes through. Some vanilla and caramel. Strong roastiness creates a bitter finish. Some toasted notes as well.

MF: Smooth and not astringent. Medium light carbaonation.

D, notes: This is the best domestic Schwarz I have had. Will win awards. Kick ass - highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2008 17:21:37 | More by Nipitato

thethrone

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours nearly black with thin tan head with good lacing.

S - Lots of bitter chocolate and coffee in the nose, with hints of smokiness and dark fruit.

T - Lots of flavor, with a profile that matches the aroma; lead by chocolate and coffee, and also adds some toasted grains and molasses added in. Just a hint of citrus comes in the back end.

M - Light mouthfeel, good carbonation.

D - Lots of bang for your cuk with the flavor in this brew. Would make a great session beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2008 02:42:44 | More by thethrone

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Throwitallaway for this bottle.

A: The lagerbier is dark as a moonless night, black and forboding with a creamy head that pools around the edge of the glass.

S: The nose is roasted with a bitter prominence that suggests both baker's chocolate and coffee. Caramel sweetness also floats around, interacting with a light sambuca note.

T: The lager has a robust molasses flavor, blackstrap if you will, that starts things off right. The malts are dark and murky, with bitter chocolate powder and coffee flavors leading the secondary flavor drive. Pepper and hops mix with the dark flavors to leave a pleasant but unfocused bitterness on the palate.

M: The dark malts are syrupy and bitter, a semi-sweet chocolate delight. The beer has the hoppiness that I'd expect from Port Brewing (even for a lager).

D: The beer tastes bigger than it is. A 5%, this is a nice change of pace that I could sip all day.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2008 00:24:59 | More by akorsak

rowew

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 22 oz bomber, called Midnight Sessions now. ABV, but there is no date on the bottle.

Appearance: Completely black with just a bit of dark red around the edges when held to the light. Thin head, fades quickly but leaves a bit of lacing.

Smell: Very roasty. That is definitely the dominate flavor, with some nice malt in the background.

Taste: Light to medium mouthfeel, tons of roasted flavor. Highly drinkable but with lots of flavor to keep things interesting.

Overall impression: One of my favorite styles, and a nice example of it. Heavy on the roasted flavors and highly drinkable - I certainly wouldn't mind several of these any time of year.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2009 01:20:24 | More by rowew

jminsc76

California

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured this into a long Paulaner tulip glass, and the head erupted like a volcano right out of the glass upon an aggressive pour. The head is a purplish/grayish haze atop a darker body. Great visuals.

Aromas of roasted, malts, a little smoke, some melon, and other fruitiness in the nose. Mellows as it warms.

The flavors are roasty, smoke-y, with some walnuts on the palate. Very tasty.

Mouthfeel is light and fluffy, probably due to the higher carbonation.

Overall, an excellent Schwarzbier, that exceeds expectations and demands returned helpings. Especially for a 5% beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2010 01:52:21 | More by jminsc76

alleykatking

Indiana

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 22oz bottle.

A- Pours a black as night color. one finger tan head showed decent retention. Stick lacing on the sides of the glass.

S- Some light toasted grains from the get go along with a roasted malt base. Chocoalte aroma and some coffee come into play in the back. Light smoked aroma as well in the tail end.

T- Toasted grain bill along with a caramel malt lager flavor makes for a good flavored beer. There is a nice chocolate undertone to the entire backend of the beer. A light smokey flavor toward the end of the beer makes this beer greater.

M- Medium mouthfeel. Carbonation is good for the style. Roasted malts and toasted grains left on the palate with a smokey aftertaste. Light drying on the palate from the alcohol. Flavors were well blended overall in the beer making for a fantastic flavorful beer.

D- I know people all the time talk about Port Brewing in a negative light. I have yet to have something terrible from them and to be honest this beer was fantastic. Port please keep doing what you are doing and I will keep trading for you until you decided to come into Indiana (cough cough).

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2010 05:15:44 | More by alleykatking

jneiswender

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured out of a large bottle into a tasting glass. Served cool.

A-dark body, tan head

S-toast

T-bar-be-que, toast, nice hop bite end

M-full

D-I like this beer. Nice and complex. Very different for the style. I would drink this beer again. Probably a great food beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2010 02:34:11 | More by jneiswender

MrKennedy

Australia

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber from Beermasons and poured into a 7oz glass.

Not quite jet black appearance, but plenty dark. Just a hint of ruby when examined against the light. Pours with a two finger head of mocha-tan foam that takes a while to settle as film.

Fantastic! Starts off with coffee and a bit of smoke and then plenty of dark chocolate emerges and is joined by more milk chocolate later on. The smell doesn't die with the foam and is very enticing!

First flavour is milk chocolate at the front and then some coffee and dark chocolate follow. Beautiful mix of all three flavours.

Maybe a touch overcarbonated, it is a little prickly early and then smooths right out. Nice coating of the mouth and a wholesome feel at the back end. Very smooth finish.

Very impressed by this, cannot think of a better dark lager that i've come across. Easy to drink, complex, full of flavour and aroma.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 05:26:47 | More by MrKennedy

baggio

Sweden

4.3/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled@Oliver Twist. (Thanks Ante!)

A: Dark red-brownish with a decent sized head. No lacing.

S: Coffee, Roasted malt, Smoked meat.

Flavor: Coffebeans, Malts, Peat, Smoked meat and some dark caramel.

M: Nicely balanced brew. Very easy drink!

This is an excellent schwarzbier with high sessionability!

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2009 13:04:01 | More by baggio

Bung

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

22 oz. Very nice dark brown pour, beige head. Frothy head lasting quite a while and really sticking to the glass. Aroma is very roasty, surprising amount of coffee. Also a good amount of chocolate and some roast malt. Flavors are quite strong for such a low abv brew. Dark chocolate, cocoa, roasted malt and coffee, char. A little ashy at first, but it smoothes out as it warms. Creamy mouthfeel, this also improves with temp. Finishes like a fine stout, lots of roast and coffee. Drinkability through the roof. Would love to have this for my daily drinker. Could definetely argue this was not exactly to style, but at the end of the day, I can't help but rate it for what it is, a real good beer.
Side note, more brewers need to focus on a quality Schwarz, it is the session beer for the dark beer folks.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2009 02:25:02 | More by Bung

DoubleJ

California

4.3/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

22 ounces of San Diego brewed beer. And it's a dark lager, not a hopbomb. Bottled on 1/7/10, on to the beer:

Black with a little glow of runy red towards the bottom of the glass. The head has a semi-creamy look to it, is thick, and shows off very good retention. Aroma is spot on for the style. Milk sweet, roasted malts, a little coffee bean, lactose. A milk lager? We shall see.

Mmm, tasty. Midnight Sessions is certainly appetizing. I love how the flavors are balanced, and how prononuced the flavors are despite being just 5% ABV. I need to think here...well, you get a generous dose of roasted malt mixed with sweet creamer. Then baker's chocolate. Even a bite of clean hops makes appearances. Initially, the carbonation is very bubbly in the mouth, but a little extra time gives the bubbles a chance to be a little less intense. Still on the carbonated side though.

It's difficult to find a good American-made schwarzbier on the shelf. Midnight Sessions is made for sessions not just for midnight, but for any time of day. Damn tasty stuff; now it's my new favorite of the Port Brewing line.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2010 05:19:38 | More by DoubleJ

Patrick

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: A dark as hell brown color with a brown head. A little bit of lacing.

S: Lots of dark chocolate but mostly coffee, lots and lots of coffee. This beer smells amazing.

T: Very roasty, lots of coffee, lots of chocolate, some sweetness in the background.

M: Nice and thin, well carbonated.

D: Wow, this is one bitchin lager!

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2008 22:39:44 | More by Patrick

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle received from largadeer. Thanks! Poured into my RRBC pint glass

A: Pitch black with a mocha-colored head. Dark brown highlights. As the head slowly recedes, it leaves a gorgeous coating all around the glass

S: Simple yet complex with a ton of roasted malt, nuts, hints of cream and smoke and what almost smells like a hint of anise. Quite delicious

T: Burnt and roasted malts to start things off and this is followed by coffee and a hint chocolate. Bitter finish from the roasted malts

M: Medium-light body with a fantastic finish. Carbonation is present and goes well with the rest of the experience

D: Very very drinkable, one of the better schwarzbiers i've had and i'd gladly drink it again.

Notes: From what i heard, this was brewed from the second runnings of the Serpent Stout. It does show some stout characteristics but is recognizably a great schwarzbier.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2008 00:29:21 | More by DefenCorps

ikats

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours very, very dark brown with brown head. Beautiful malty sweetness fills the aroma. Rosted notes, a touch of smoke, some dark fruit sweetness. Taste is very similar - roasted, malty sweetness (but not too sticky). Taste has just a touch of bitterness. Almost velvety mouthfeel, and at 5% it's very drinkable. I prefer my session beers to be lower in alcohol (yes, even 5% I think is too high for a session beer), but this one may work. It's just so tasty and easy-drinking.

I expected a completely different brew. For some reason, I thought it's going to be a light lager, not a dark one. I was pleasantly surprised. I picked up a bottle practically at random (was looking for something not too heavy), but next time I will pick it up specifically because it's tasty.

I should mention that my bottle says "Midnight Sessions" (the label matches the photo though). I am fairly confident it's the same beer. Perhaps, they had to change the name for one reason or another.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2009 09:57:00 | More by ikats

ehammond1

California

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle (2011)

Lost Abbey
San Marcos, CA

Dark black, nearly midnight, pour with a big, stiff brown head. Lots of lacing down the glass. Looks like a thick, creamy stout. Quite impressive!

Dark and roasted malt character in the nose with a touch of coffee and chocolate. If I didn't know better, I'd swear this was an American stout, and certainly not a lager. A lot of complexity and a welcoming, roasty, chocolatey nose for sure.

A delicious, varied, and interesting flavor: this tastes like a great stout. Chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, no alcohol presence--terrific!

Medium bodied, easy to drink. A ton of flavor for a 5% ABV beer!

A world of flavor in such a low ABV package. Really an incredible treat. A delicious black lager.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 03:18:15 | More by ehammond1

smiga

New Jersey

4.24/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

22 oz bottle in an assorted six-pack at WHOLE for $14.99 - great deal.

A - Very dark and handsome, between stout and black. A medium, soft, tan brown head. Looks and laces like a stout.

S - Boom! strong bouquet of mineral aromas; nicely bitter, oily, sensuous, appetizing. Some grassy sweetness and toasted, roasted grain.

T - Excellent taste. it's bitter, roasted, smokey, dark grains. Slight presence of charcoal and burnt wood in a good way. Beach bon fire, boardwalk. Also nutty and grainy, some one wrote like a bran muffin. Mineral, earthy, reminds me of my spring garden. Coffee and chocolate notes round out with sweetness but finishes nicely refreshing and dry. Complex. Good session or meditation beer. Good with food.

M - Despite complexity, there are no off or overpowering notes, and it feels smooth and drinkable. A great black lager meets stout. Easy going. Not overwhelming, but rewarding.

O - If you like stout, black beer, you must try this.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 01:19:33 | More by smiga

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

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

WonderfuLly black body, with a red laser line at the bottom edge. Big fluffy dark tan head. Good lacing immediately evident.

Inviting aroma of coffee and chocolate, not overpowering, but enjoyable.

Taste is a nifty coffee and cocoa mix with a bright hop signature joining in quickly. Mocha mix lingers a long while.

Chewy medium mouthfeel is right for the style, substantive but not quite stoutish.

Not equal to my favorite schwartz, Black Bavarian, but tasty and a surprise in the IPA and Imperial Stout dominated Port line-up.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 05:56:44 | More by RonfromJersey

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

cvstrickland

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The drink pours ebony-colored with a pale tan head that quickly recedes to a ring that leaves a few freckles of lacing on the glass.

Smell is a bit nutty and malty.

Taste is a bit toasty and malty with grassy hops and a pleasant lactic twang. A burnt note and powdery dry finish brings things to a close.

Light-medium bodied with great drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2008 14:16:07 | More by cvstrickland

drseamus

New York

4.22/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Dark black with a mocha head.

S: Light smoky burnt aroma. Right on style.

T: Good smoky flavor with a slight burnt wood flavor. Dead on nuts for a schwartzbeer.

M: Light bodied.

D: Great beer all around although it leaves a bit of burnt aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2008 19:52:38 | More by drseamus

yeastsipper

California

4.22/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle from CBS. Enjoyed this beer immensely at the LA night at Toronado during SF Beer Week. My plan to consume less beer dies only a few hours in as it is a rainy, rainy sunday and I can think of nothing I would rather do more than drink some nice beer.

Beer pours black like the darkest RISs, very interesting for a lager. Brown milk chocolate covered head dissipates quickly. Smell is dominated by roasty malts with a slight coffee smell. Taste is really nice. Unlike many of the stouts that exhibit the roasty malt/smoky flavors, Midnight Sessions is crisp and refreshing. Roasted flavor without being overdone. Some chocolate flavors and hops for balance. A somewhat bitter, woody flavor lingers on the palate.

Really good stuff and one I will buy again. The only knock is that I did enjoy more on draft than from the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2009 00:24:53 | More by yeastsipper

ajr24

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I cracked open my bomber and poured somewhat aggressively into a pilsner glass.

Port Midnight Sessions lager is a love story. A hearty porter meets a delicate lager on e-harmony.com or somewhere and they fall in love. It's a healthy relationship. They share and compromise where they have to. The porter gets the appearance; it pours a dark, impenetrable brown with a red hue. Light, fluffy and wispy mocha head sits atop and stays for a short while. It shies away to a modest covering... like the morning dew on the grass, it is beautiful and noticeable and also delicate. Its aroma is dominated by roasted malts and coffee tones. The crispness and smooth lager qualities combine with the coffee and roastiness in the taste. It's an alliance, unlike China the the USSR in the 1950s, there is no ego war here. No ambivalence, just harmony. The mouthfeel is like listening to Bob Marley. Peaceful, jovial, pensive, mellow... but not Jamaican. The drinkability is superb...

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2009 04:30:43 | More by ajr24

nelnutter

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured 22oz. bomber into Sam Adams perfect pint glass.

A: Poured a pitch-black with huge foamy/sponge-like head that stuck around for a while. Left patches of lace here and there.

S: Roasty, coffee, chocolate...and there was a smokiness that was making me think of beef jerky; yum. Now I want some beef jerky.

T: Roasty and smoky, bitter chocolate, and coffee dominate, and there's just enough hops to smooth things out at the end. Leaves a long bitter finish (not hoppy though). Very very nice.

M: Medium-bodied for the most part. Ample, but on the lighter-side of carbonation. Goes down easy.

D: Thoroughly enjoyed this. Definitely would have it again and could easily make this a go-to beer when I'm in the mood for something roasty like this.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2010 23:47:57 | More by nelnutter