Midnight Expression - Port Brewing Company / Pizza Port

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle shared courtesy of egajdzis.

Poured a dark, deep brown color with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of lots of roast, light chocolate, and some nuttiness. Tastes of roast, chcooalte, nuts, and more charred malts.

Notes from 4/25/08

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2008 01:55:06 | More by hopdog

champ103

Texas

3.65/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark brown, nearly black color. Some ruby highlights around the edges. A beige head forms, but recedes in a second. Light lace.
S: Lightly toasted malt. Mostly sweet caramel and some lingering spicy hops.
T: Follows the nose. Toasted malt and sweet caramel malt. A light hop flavor lingers.
M/D: A medium body with good carbonation. Creamy and smooth. Easy to drink. This is not hard to put back a few in a sitting.

Not bad at all. Nothing that jumps out though. Subtle and enjoyable. Worth a try if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2010 04:31:34 | More by champ103

GClarkage

California

3.13/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

02/09/09- Purchased at Ledger's Liquors in Berkeley, CA.

Presentation- 22oz bottle with no freshness info. Poured into a pint glass.

Appearance- Black in color. A full two fingered head on the pour. Slower to dissolve. Does not, however, leave any significant lacing behind.

Smell- A bit of a sweet caramel-bready nose. Also a burnt malt base detected.

Taste- Seriously burnt and medium smoked malt in flavor. Some hops milling around. Minorly sweet in flavor.

Mouthfeel- Well carbonated, not creamy as many of this style I have had. Doesn't have that nice smooth milky texture.

Drinkability- Not really my cup of tea. A bit to roasted and smoky for my tastes for a schwartzbier.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2009 15:13:24 | More by GClarkage

flagmantho

Washington

3.9/5  rDev 0%
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

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured via 22oz. bomber on 4/8/09.

A - Poured a very dark, chestnut brown body with thin beige head that deposited decent lacing on the glass. Color is almost teetering on black, rendering this the darkest lager I've ever come across.

S - Smokey and roasty aroma with a bit of nutty astringency up front, followed by a waft of earthy and woody hop notes in the backend.

T - Much like the aroma, the flavor suggests roasty and smokey characteristics with plenty of woody, oaky notes. Finishes with a mild nutty astringency and fairly prominent earthy hop bitterness.

M - Medium bodied with a syrupy texture and a somewhat prickly mouthfeel overall. Finish is mildly astringent with a slight bitterness on the palate.

D - Really flavorful Schwarzbier with a bold smokey, roasty character. Moonlit Sessions is not only malty, but also quite bitter and complex.

Brewslut's Quote of the Day:
"It smells like pencil shavings."

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2009 16:27:00 | More by ffejherb

Jwale73

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in my Oberon weizen glass. Poured an opaque black with ruby red highlights around the edges. One inch tan colored head eventually settled into a thin consistent skim of foam. Scents of chocolate and roasted malt. Some thin lacing with decent consistency present during the session. Nose consistent with flavors, as well as the presence of coffee and some lingering hops bitterness at the finish. Not quite medium-bodied, with a lively mouthfeel and a mild carbonation burn. Consistency is somewhat similar to a stout, but light enough to be sessionable. I've been drinking quite a few schwarzbiers lately, and this one is quite good; however, not the best I've had. A little to much lingering bitterness makes this less of a go to for me relative to the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2008 22:18:16 | More by Jwale73

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.1/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: This beer is very dark amber, almost black in color and pours with a two finger tan head with large bubbles in it. The head dissipates rather quickly leaving little retention but does exhibit some lacing on the glass.

S: Very little smell to this beer at all but what I could detect was a slight aroma of dark malts, the smell intensifies slightly as the beer warms but I find it lacking.

T: Dark roasty malts are the highlight in the taste but not a strong/intense flavor. Very little bitterness in this beer.

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: Not a great example of the style and nothing special about this beer in particular though it is quite sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 22:56:35 | More by dbrauneis

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-Tap at The Hulmeville Inn for Philly Beer Week, I love this city. Served up in a pint glass.

A really dark lager,/swartzbier, midnight is jet black with a slight ring of foam around the glass. The surface foam did not 100% cover it's parts. The color was off ivory with small tannish colors. Loose lace. Nice dark looking beer. Smells consist of cocco and roasted malts with a touch of peat/smoke and some caramel A small bit of grain, but i could be reaching there. Taste is slight toffee/ caramel, roast, slight coffee. Cocco powder and a little peat in taste. There's a little of everything here, even some earthy, floral hops hanging out back. Body is a bit thin although it looks bigger, Id say way less than medium. Carb comes through the lightish body quite easy. More smooth than crisp though. This is easy, I drank it quick and did not feel it in the least, 5% beer is alright with me. Will drink again. With the carb issues port/LA gets in a bottle, Im fortunate to find this stuff on draft, cant risk it. This is good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2010 03:36:19 | More by onix1agr

ngeunit1

California

4/5  rDev +2.6%
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

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
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

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.84/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

22oz Bottle from Bevmo La Quinta for 4.50$

Appearance - Dark brown colour with an average size fizzy/frothy beige head. I can't make out the amount of carbonation showing and there is some good lacing. The head lasted for 5-6 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Malts, chocolate, grains

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can taste malts, chocolate, and coffee. There are also some smokey/burnt notes and a bit of a nuttiness. It ends with a chocolatey aftertaste with a lingering roasted coffee bitterness.

Overall - It smells like a Schwarzbier but has the flavour of a RIS or a porter. Regardless, it's very good and packed full of flavour.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 03:55:48 | More by spinrsx

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.28/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a flute.

3.5 A: Very much overcarbonated, but didn't explode out of the bottle. First pour gave me 1/8 glass beer and 7/8 head. Anyway, black color. Several fingers of frothy soda-like light brown head that retains well, but doesn't lace well at all.

3.5 S: Roasted barley up front. Light dark fruitiness, but this is very soft. There really isn't much going on here.

3.0 T: Again there isn't a whole lot going on. Light roastiness and a subtle fruitiness. Not bad, but there are plenty of other Schwarzies out there that offer more.

3.5 M: Light body. Overcarbonated. Very smooth though.

3.5 D: Like I said before, this is okay, but not my schwartzbier of choice.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2010 20:38:04 | More by DavoleBomb

billab914

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a bottle of this in a shipment from Southbay. Poured from a 22oz bottle into my Sam Adams pint glass. Pours black with a ruby tint to it where the light strikes the sides of the glass. Poured with a big fluffy two finger white head. Good head retention and moderate lacing.

Aroma is big and roasty, a lot more roasty then I expected from other Schwartzbier's I have had. There is also a grainy more lager-ish aroma that comes through that helps it keep with style.

The taste is just as roasty as the nose suggests, the coffee and bitter chocolate are the dominant flavor on the palate. As I said before it's definitely more roasty then I expected but it tastes very good. I would probably say if someone likes stouts and porters they would like this beer.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Drinkability is pretty good, it has a lot of the things I love about a stout or porter but lighter more drinkable while still being full flavored.

Overall this was a very well made beer, I can't say how to "style" it was being so dominant in the coffee and chocolate flavors but it doesn't really matter to me as long as it is good. This actually reminds me a lot of some Duck Rabbit beers, maybe the porter.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2010 22:09:29 | More by billab914

emmasdad

Colorado

3.63/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bomber a jet black color, with a creamy light brown head on top. Aromas of roasted malt, dark chocolate and smoke. On the palate, this one was medium bodied and fairly crisp, with flavors of roasted malt, bitter chocolate, nuts and smoke.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2011 20:28:45 | More by emmasdad

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.68/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark black with an aroma that is so roasty it makes me think of a stout which is no surprise given that this is a byproduct of serpent's stout. Roasty flavor and reminds me again of a stout but is distinctly different. Excellent drinkability and a really robust flavor make this very easy to throw back.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2009 00:56:36 | More by ArrogantB

Floydster

California

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

22 ounce bottle purchased at Cooke's in El Segundo for four dollars, bottle said the ABV was 5%, split with my dad last night, poured into my Firestone pint glass

A-Almost black but very dark brown, thin 1/4 inch creamy light tan head that did not stick around long, not much retention or lacing

S-Roasted grains and barley, coffee, burned sugar, some chocolate, half and half, some hoppiness, little spice, and faint maple syrup

T-Taste did not change much when the temperature changed and was consistently good and refreshing, first taste is the roasted malt and slight espresso, then some chewiness in the middle but rather thin and light, some dryness in the finish with a few hops and dark cocoa mixed in, nicely balanced and did not lack flavor like many schwarzbiers tend to do, nice new beer overall

M-Roasty and dry mouthfeel, not as much carbonation as I was expecting, thin body, taste lingered for a minute or two

D-Do not let the darkness fool you because this one is light on the stomach, alcohol percentage is low, smooth, easy to drink, would make a nice session beer like the title infers

Glad to see Port took a break from making all the strong beers and thought about some light stuff for once, not that anything they have ever done has been bad, will be drinking this again, good beer at a great price, recommended

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2008 07:30:31 | More by Floydster

ehammond1

California

4.25/5  rDev +9%
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

srandycarter

California

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Black pour, not much head, small ring left. Thin soapy lacing.

S - Unsweetened chocolate. Some sweet malt back, but mostly the chocolate. A hint of coffee too.

T - Silty bakers chocolate across the tongue. Pretty astringent. Some malt but not much. Very dry.

M - Medium body, great carb and balance.

D - VERY interesting beer and glad to try it. Would get tiring fast, though.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2008 05:05:19 | More by srandycarter

Overlord

California

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I spotted this at Hi-Times in Costa Mesa, California. I'm always on the lookout for new Pizza Port and Lost Abbey offerings. Cost about 3.50.

I didn't realize this was a schwarzbier, and was expecting a lighter lager. I was quite surprised when it poured a dark brown with a big tan head.

The smell is roasted malt, coffee, and a hint of chocolate. This is a lager? The taste is bold with roasted malt, more coffee, and maybe a bit of residual malt and chocolate sweetness. It's major flavor component is definitely bitter. Somewhat surprising in every respect. If I had this blindfolded, I would have thought I was drinking a light-bodied porter.

Interesting brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2008 07:32:02 | More by Overlord

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep, dark brown with a khaki head leaving little lacing. Smell is of dark roasted malts, coffee beans, nuts, toffee. Taste is of bitter dark roasted malts and coffee, backed by a toffee sweet and nut flavor... borders on stout in its profile. Light bodied, almost watery and a slight bitter aftertaste. A nice brew... nothing spectacular but does a bolder version of the style well.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2010 15:13:16 | More by rfgetz

tigg924

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2.6%
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

flexabull

California

4.03/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ahh... It's good to finally have a craft beer after drinking euro lagers for about 2 1/2 weeks.

Pours a deep dark brown with a very nice off white head.

Aromas are off cocoa, bakers chocolate, cream and coffee. Almost smells like a stout or a robust porter.

Beer is quite flavorful, but is not a big powerhouse. Starts with cocoa and cream notes, then settles into some toasted nut flavors. Finish is slightly yeasty, with some nice general hoppy bitterness.

Mouthfeel is nice. Full and well carbonated.

This is a quite good offering from Port Brewing. A flavorful Schwarbier that is quite sessionable and pleasant to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2010 04:40:52 | More by flexabull

prototypic

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: It pours a very dark brown color, bordering on black. There's a little light through around the edges. The nicest part of the look is the mocha colored head that stands about two fingers tall. Very unexpected and enticing. It receded pretty quickly and left light lacing. But, damn it was nice.

Smell: The is dominated by mostly roasted malts. There's a bit of coffee and maybe even chocolate malt in there, but they're clearly secondary players compared to the roasted malts. It also features a nice smoked aroma that livens it up and adds some complexity. Ultimately, it's a little too light in this department to warrant a higher rating. But, it's a nice smelling beer nonetheless.

Taste: The flavor profile is very nice and straight forward. It's primarily roasted malts that feature a very good smoked flavor. There are some ancillary elements of coffee and chocolate malt that play their complementary roles nicely. But, at the end of the day, it's roasted malts and smoke. It actually sounds a little too simple, but this a nice tasting beer. Mild manner, easy drinking.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: It's light bodied and smooth. Carbonation is very well done and it goes down easy. I don't know what the abv is, but it's primed for consumption beyond a single bomber. Mine's disappearing quickly.

Port did a really nice job with this one. I'm really impressed. I was expecting a good beer, but this is actually quite a bit better than I was expecting. I'm really not sure how the flavor could be improved. Perhaps it could be a little more complex, but that could potentially weaken what's a pretty good damn beer as it is. Check it out for yourself. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2008 02:51:18 | More by prototypic

Crosling

Colorado

3.28/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown, nearly black with ruby edges. Quickly diminishing foam. Smells like a Schwarzbier should with notes dried chocolate, cocoa and dried coffee grounds. Flavor is well balanced, with schwarzbier dryness and notes of dried chocolate and fruit. Let's not get carried away here. It's a well made beer. I think Kidd Lager is better.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2008 16:46:05 | More by Crosling

illidurit

California

3.65/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bomber from Ledgers. Nice super dark brown color with auburn highlights. Decent cap of tan foam but it's a little fizzy. Roasted malt aroma, grains, sweetened coffee, brownie mix. Flavor is not as good, one-dimensionally roasty and a little ashy at the end. Some extremely dark chocolate creeps into the aftertaste as well. Body is too thin for sure. Not bad, the aroma alone makes it better than several German schwarzbiers I've had.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2009 06:43:36 | More by illidurit