Midnight Expression - Port Brewing Company / Pizza Port

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

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.8/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – Served a black beer with a one finger tan head. The head faded relatively quickly to leave a moderate amount of lacing.

Smell – The aroma was of roasted malt with a good presence of chocolate and coffee. There was also a light caramel sweetness as well as some lighter more herbal hop aromas mixed within.

Taste - The taste begins nice and roasty and remains that way much throughout. The flavors initially are of a coffee and chocolate flavor with a light amount of caramel sweetness (quite light). The caramel grows a bit in strength in the middle of the taste where it is met with the appearance of a light herbal hop flavor. The caramel however fades once again and the brew becomes even more dry toward the end. With the drying of the taste comes some notes of char and a nutty flavor, which when combined with the roasted coffee and dark chocolate from the start of the taste, leave a dark and dry flavor to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer was on the average side with the carbonation there as well. A bit of a thicker body may have suited the dark flavors slightly better, but for the style and dryness I think it was pretty good.

Overall – Roasty and tasty. While one I would not take as a session beer, it is one to have every once in a while.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2012 23:36:27 | More by Darkmagus82

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

tigg924

Massachusetts

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

Had on tap at New World Tavern--Plymouth--served into a pint glass

Appearance: black in color, 1/4 inch head, opaque, moderate carbonation

Smell: roasted malt and light chocolate

Taste: roasted malt start with dark chocolate, smokiness and a touch of milk chocolate to combine with the roast at the end

Mouthfeel: super light bodied, moderate carbonation, sweet and dry

Overall: For an American Schwarzbier this is very good. I love the combination of the lightness of its body and the smokiness. The smokiness is prominent but does not come close to rauch levels. This is a solid beer that I will get again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2012 12:37:02 | More by tigg924

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

BucannonXC5

California

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

Poured from a draft into a pint glass at KnB Wine Cellars on March 21, 2012 in San Diego. Color was black. Had about two fingers of head. Brown coffee lacing on the top that turned into a slowly fading circle with blank black spots in the middle. Light film on the sides, but still there.

Smell was coffee heavy. Real dark chocolate malts. Expected, but decent nonetheless.

Tasted similar to the nose. Coffee and real dark chocolate malts. Kind of like the kind I hated when I was a kid. Very smooth though.

Full body. Lively (above average) carbonation. Smooth, creamy texture. Smooth rules the day here.

I really liked this beer. Just a smooth and consistent easy drinking beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2012 07:08:30 | More by BucannonXC5

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

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is one of the few cases where I prefer the bottled version over the on-tap one.

Near black color, but bright light shines through the edges. Beige head leaves a curtain of streaky lace.

The predominate smell is burnt white toast. First impression of the taste is affected by the thin body. The flavor matches the smell with lots of burnt bread notes. The aftertaste is dry and short. Overall, it reminds me of a strong, dark Euro lager.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 22:25:41 | More by smcolw

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

kojevergas

California

3.3/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

1 pint 6 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into an EKU 28 snifter in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Paired with garlic bread. Expectations are above average given the brewery, though I don't particularly care for the style.

Acquired at Wades Wine in Westlake Village, California. Cost was $4.29 USD plus tax.

A: Pours a two finger head of fair cream, nice thickness, and good retention. Colour is a solid black. It's generally appealing.

Sm: Dry schwarzbier malts: nuts and maybe vague chocolate. Dark malts. Caramel. A mild strength aroma.

T: Dark malts, with notes of nuts and vague chocolate. The promise of the aroma is fulfilled, though it wasn't that grand to begin with. Some caramel. Enjoyable. Decently balanced. All around, the build isn't great but it's pretty good. No layering is present, nor is any discernable complexity. This is a simple black lager.

Mf: Smooth and wet. A bit creamy. Not too thick nor too thin. Suits the flavours generally.

Dr: Drinkable but largely unremarkable. I'd have it again on an 'every once 'n' then', but it's not great. Fans of the style will enjoy it, but it's far from unique or special. Don't go out of your way to track this one down, lads.

B-

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 07:56:08 | More by kojevergas

jtierney89

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep brown color with a fluffy coffee colored head. Cocoa and bitter coffee on the nose with some earthy hops. Pungent nose. Cocoa nibs and bitter black chocolate bitterness up front complimented by a layer of coffee flavor. Medium in body with thin carbonation. Deep roasted malt flavor comes through. A complex brew at 5% with quite a few layers of flavors and big flavor at that. Thins out slightly on the finish but otherwise good beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 22:22:54 | More by jtierney89