Churchill's Finest Hour 2012 - Port Brewing Company / Pizza Port

deathcharms

California

4.8/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

CFH Release 2/3/12

A: Black as black can be with a thin lace of foam at the crest.
S:Tons of chocolate and very roasty. I got a faint coffee waft from this but not overpowering.
T: Again very heavy chocolate and a good roasting flavor. Very good balance between the barrel and the beer.
M:Light and playful, was a very easy beer to drink.

O: Way better than both bottles I've had of CFH '11. Open em now or wait a few years, either way this batch is phenomenal.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2012 20:59:49 | More by deathcharms

SubpoenaDeuces

California

4.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer has a deep hateful pallor of rich spent motor oil, viscous and viscious. the coating is intense and imparts generous sheeting on the glass.

The smell imparts a mild brownie batter sweetness but the real show is in the dark pitted fruits, plum and figs with currants all up in the mix, would have liked to have a bit more coffee and/or roasted malts, but now we are just nit picking the torque curve of a GTR.

The taste is incredible and all aspects of the flavor are balanced and well integrated. there's a nice warmth with some chocolate and slight charred oak, I get a bit of a Zero bar sort of marshmellowy campfire aspect going on that is incredible.

The carb is dead on given the flavor profile of this beer and doesn't steal the show, the mellow character is just right and hits all the zones with generous coating.

This is incredibly drinkable and it was not uncommon for others to seek out several pours. very recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 20:00:49 | More by SubpoenaDeuces

Vanlingleipa

California

4.88/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Tasted at the release party in March, 2012 and again at the pub in Oct., 12

10/12 Bottle poured into a snifter at Churchill's Pub

Excellent fresh and has done nothing but get better in the past six months.

Ridiculously smooth, the slight edge of alcohol tasted earlier this year now blends seamlessly with the warmth of the chocolate and malts. This beer creates one of the fullest mouthfeels that I've experienced, making every single of those 10,000 tastebuds of mine very happy. If this brew had been released in the thousands of bottles like Black Tuesday, I'd have a case for aging and another for the supping.

My advice: do what is required to acquire a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 23:08:12 | More by Vanlingleipa

SDDanC

California

4.95/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at anniversary party. Pours jet black, no head. Appears slick and heavy. Nose contains burnt marshmallows and wood. Smoked wood. Alcohol burn is present, underneath a minute sweetness. Taste is much comparable; great whiskey character upfront that meshes with a heavy chocolate and smoked oaked. Again there are some burnt mallows. Mouthfeel is thoroughly sticky, but slight thin and oily. But it does not suffer from that aspect. Great carbonation level for its intese flavor profile.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2012 19:46:34 | More by SDDanC

jegross2

Illinois

4.95/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Reviewing the 2012 version of Churchill's Finest Hour from Port Brewing Company (Lost Abbey's alter ego). We cracked this one, in addition to several other big name goodies, to celebrate the end of the Illinois bar exam, my birthday, and Robbie Moy's birthday. I believe each year's batch is a different stout recipe.
Score: 99

2012 vintage bottle. Served in a plastic taster cup, shared with friends and enjoyed on 07/28/12. Review is from notes.

Appearance: Jet black color. Pours a thin layer of creamy dark tan head that settles to a ring around the glass. Good lacing, but average retention. 4/5

Smell: Huge notes of fudge, plus bourbon and brown sugar. Dark fruit and subtle vanilla as well. There is a very light roastiness to the nose, which also emits a hint of wood as the beer warms. What an absolutely smooth and inviting barrel-aged stout nose! 5/5

Taste: Like the nose, fudge dominates the flavor with a little dark chocolatiness too. The fudge flavor is thick and luscious, and it coats the tongue with lingering flavor. Layered on top of the fudge is the bourbon, molasses and a hint of coffee. Not tasting any wood. There is some sweet dark fruit flavor as well, but the dark fruit characteristics are more subtle on the palate than it was in the aroma. There is a faint hint of alcohol towards the finish that gives the beer a little kick without throwing off the balance or drinkability. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, minimal carbonation. Thick, viscous and slightly sweet. 5/5

Overall: A near-perfect stout that is easily one of the best that I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy. It is hard to fault a beer like this for not being "pretty" enough, but that's about my only real criticism here. This brew is complex and smooth, and it lives up to the hype. I sincerely hope I will be able to try this one again in the future.

Recommendation: Seek this beer out.

Pairings: Cocoa-rubbed filet Mignon.

Cost: $25 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 20:55:19 | More by jegross2

ZX6Chris

California

5/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A-A black empty void that will suck your soul in if you stare too long. Looks flat but bubbles spring to life with a swirl of the glass.

S-Milk chocolate, coffee and a light barrel character.

T-Milk chocolate, sweet Bourbon, vanilla and a little oak in the background.

M-Medium body with ample carbonation.

O-Fucking delicious. Its so tasty now I'm not sure if I should age it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2012 19:27:24 | More by ZX6Chris