Black Boss Porter - BOSS Browar Witnica S.A.

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black Boss Porter has a medium, beige head, a good amount of thick lacing, and a dark-brown (ruby under light) appearance. The aroma is of smoke, chocolate, and coffee. Taste is of cocoa powder, charcoal, dark cherries, dark coffee, dark-roasted malt, and sweetness. Alcohol shows up in the aftertaste to some extent. The mouthfeel is medium to heavy, and Black Boss Porter finishes heavy, semi-dry, and not particularly difficult to drink. Overall, this is a mild, pleasant, and potent Polish beer. I like it.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 13:12:15 | More by RonaldTheriot

5thOhio

South Carolina

4.23/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep ruby/black with a cream-colored slight head that dissipates to a thin film. Nose is malty and dark ripe fruits like plums, bing cherries and prunes.

Mouthfeel is typical for a porter, medium thick with decent carbonation. Taste up front is rich & sweet with the same fruity malt flavors. Slight bitter hop notes underneath to keep it from being overly malty, like an Oktoberfest.

All in all, a very drinkable Baltic Porter and a good substitute since the king & queen of Baltic porters, Okocim and Zywiek are so difficult to find. I'd love to try this on tap.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 23:10:10 | More by 5thOhio

kemoarps

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not as dark as I prefer from my porters. But has a beautiful khaki tan head that lasts, coating the glass as I drink.

The nose is molasses sweet, predominantly.

Taste follows suite. If you like molasses you will love this beer. If not... probably not your cup of tea (beer). Predominantly that molasses sweetness, but there is some other in there as well, but definitely dominated by the molasses. It's good, but at the moment a little overwhelming: I liked it better the first couple times I tried it.

Smoothe and easy drinking. If I didn't already know, I would be astonished that it is 9.4 abv. Masked very well. Would be good around christmas with gingerbread houses perhaps? I would also be curious to see how it ages, might have to pick up a couple when I am home again.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 23:22:58 | More by kemoarps

5lat5ive

North Carolina

4.63/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Black Boss Porter is the first porter I ever drank, years ago when I started to learn that Newcastle wasn't in fact the best beer in the world. It's about time I review it. Poured from half of Pint into goblet, then the second half.

Appearance - 99% opaque black. Beautiful 1-inch creamy tan head.

Smell - Alcohol is pretty present as it's 9.4% ABV. Wheat and grains, maybe a little nutty.

Taste - Caramel, chocolate, toffee. Also some bread and black licorice. The flavors build over a long time. Nice and complex. The alcohol strength doesn't show up as much in the beginning as you might expect, but it definitely ramps up as you drink it.

Feel - Heavy, sticky, a little creamy.

Overall - Awesome porter. Wonderfully balanced and complex.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 22:45:05 | More by 5lat5ive

scootpolute

Washington

2.9/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

1 Pint 0.9 ozs bottle poured into a pint glass.

Look: black body with a thin, light tan head that doesn't retain for very long and doesn't leave much lacing. When its closer to a light, it looks closer to brown than black. Some brownish, reddish highlights at the edges. Looks good.

Smell: strong alcohol,heavy in roasted malt aromas, chocolate, fudge, a little coffee and some alcohol soaked currants. Smells quite good and inviting.

Taste: heavy alcohol from the start, chocolate stands out, with some espresso, a bit of currant and anise, with a bit of bitterness that seems to come more from the roasted malt than the hops...finishes with more strong alcohol flavor...

Feel: full bodied, a little chewy but thinner not much carbonation, the heavy alcohol is a turn-off.

Overall: I didn't care for this one...many of the chocolate/espresso flavors were OK, but the over the top alcohol (yes, 9%) is too much and kills this one. Chasin' Cheers :~)

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 05:19:45 | More by scootpolute

beergoot

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Rich, ruby red body with a good light tan head. Head is about 1/2 finger thick, but hangs around.

There is a robust, earthy scent to the beer. Some roasted grains. Brown sugar. Whiff of alcohol, well-buried in the malt smells.

Rich, sugary mouthfeel. Heavy yet smooth.

Burnt sugar and caramel are the dominating flavors initially. Alcohol warmth is well-mixed in the malt flavors. Bitterness is fairly pronounced in the finish, intermingling with the lingering sweetness and the alcohol. Touches of bitter chocolate and cocoa are there, too.

A sweet, heavy, high alcohol content porter. Pretty tasty if the sweetness doesn't bother you.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 20:10:29 | More by beergoot

CaptDavyJones

New York

4.03/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a dark brown color from a 500 mL bottle, with ABV clearly marked on the label. Once in the glass it is pitch black with no penetration of light whatsoever.
Massive tan colored head that stays forever, leaving behind some nice lacing as it slowly dissipates.
Aroma is extremely malty; lots of roasted malt notes with some chocolate/cocoa and coffee.
Taste is slightly sweet upfront but towards the middle there is a robust wave of bitterness which lasts till the finish. However, the bitterness is not overwhelming. Alcohol is very well masked.
Medium bodied beer that is flavorful, tasty and easy to drink.
A very good porter that is definitely worth trying.
Also, can't beat the price of this porter

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 05:04:25 | More by CaptDavyJones

roastbeefdinner

Connecticut

4.55/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A an amazing addition to a large hearty meal, pairs great with stews (bigos in particular) and one pot meat dishes. The sweetness may turn off some people, I find it quite enjoyable. Be careful of the high alcohol content, if you drink it from a mug you may wake up in a revolutionary war graveyard down the street from your house. (yes i did) The price is one of the many selling points besides its ability to go with food like a fine wine. I am able to get this beer in the 11.2oz bottles for $35 a case, an amazing feat for a porter that is 9.4% If you can find the 16oz bottles even better price/volume. Dangerous them big bottles, because you can slam them like its milk.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 19:15:18 | More by roastbeefdinner

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This poured out into a tall pilsner glass, it had a dark brown color that faded into black as the head settled. The smell of the beer gives of some lager aromas, some roasted malts and a little bit of earthiness too. The taste of the beer has a slight chocolate note in the beginning that fades into an earthy roasted grain flavor with the lager yeast bitterness in the finish. The mouthfeel of the beer is smooth, it's not even that heavy for a porter. Overall it's a good brew, I found it to be pretty good on most levels. Glad I tried it.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 02:19:35 | More by Knapp85

sanitysessions

California

4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- it's dark but slightly transparent when held up to light. It has a small tan head that only lasts as a ring around the glass with no lacing.

S- quite light with hints of coffee, chocolate, caramel, and roasted malts. Overall it is a pretty sweet/roasted smell with very little alcohol presence.

T- coffee, roasted malts, caramel, espresso, chocolate. Sweet with a little bitterness

M- medium-light carbonation, smooth

O- This is a well balanced porter slightly on the sweeter side with a high abv that is not very detectible. Pretty good and definitely worth trying for the low price.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 23:14:42 | More by sanitysessions

TempeBeerMan

Arizona

4.18/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle in a dimpled mug.

A – Black in the center with brown around the edges. Only the thinnest bit of head, which vaporized instantly. Small amount of patchy lacing.

S – Big aroma of espresso beans and black coffee. A little dark chocolate as well.

T – Rich flavors of espresso beans, burnt coffee, dark chocolate, caramel, mocha, charcoal, smoke, molasses, and roasted grains. Where some reviewers are getting dark fruits, to me the sweetness is all of the molasses/chocolate/caramel variety. Sweet in the beginning, drifting toward bitter in the mid palate. Perfect mix of sweet and bitter. Very, very good. Slight bit of alcohol warmth in the finish, but otherwise the 9.4% abv is CRAZY hidden.

M – Thin bodied, but pretty creamy as well. Low carbonation. Finishes slightly syrupy. Overall, the feel works well.

O – A porter lovers porter. Everything presented here is dark, roasted, or burnt. I love this beer. (This now wins my “most dangerous beer” award as I’m wondering how many of these 500 ml bad boys I could put away in an evening. Something tells me I better not try to find out.)

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 04:41:58 | More by TempeBeerMan

derkfromwi

Wisconsin

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: finger and a half khaki head, very dark brown color, decent carbonation and lacing

S: Sweetness, caramel, coffee, chocolate

T: Burnt caramel, coffee, sweet then bitter, some chocolate

M: Smooth, good carbonation, a bit thin for me, medium bodied

O: Good Porter, definitely worth the price of $2.something for 500mL, almost always have one of these on hand

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2012 02:03:35 | More by derkfromwi

datalager

Connecticut

4.18/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

What an excellent find! I am of Polish descent, and make an annual pilgrimage to a Polish deli/market less than an hour away every Easter (mainly to get REAL kielbasa). While there today i saw one of these in the fridge and bought it on a lark. What a great chance purchase.

A-Super dark but transparent chestnut brown, with a bone white one finger head leaving a scattering of lace. A very attractive color.

S-Roasted coffee, anise, bread, smoke and dark chocolate. The aroma is beautiful, unfortunately just a bit subtle. Still pleasant, though.

T-Awesome! Licorice, coffee, yeast, a slight baker's chocolate, and some mild hops in the finish. Barely any alcohol flavor.

MF-Smooth and chewy up front, with some dryness in the finish which begs for additional sips. A superb liquid from the tongue to the swallow.

Overall, this is an amazing porter. I am partial to porters, but also quite critical. Not too sweet, not too smokey, just the right balance. My only complaint...it's TOO good! It is so easy going down that you forget how heavy the alcohol is. Drink this one slowly.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 00:50:47 | More by datalager

klopez1253

Massachusetts

4.73/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've been partial to porters since Narragansett Porter in the 1970s and this is a high-ABC porter that tastes good, without too strong an alcohol taste and without too sweet a malty taste. This is a maybe-too-easy-to-drink strong dark beer, and had become one of my favorites. No one in my area has it or can get it from regional distributors so I am buying it from the one place I have found it reliably online.

A: a very dark beer
S: sweet but not alcohol-y
T: mildly sweet, for such a strong beer; easily palatable
M: for me a good level of carbonation
O: one of my favorite beers -- not available in most places

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 05:00:01 | More by klopez1253

Glibber

Idaho

3.83/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bought this as a cheap filler for a beer tasting (under $2 for 16 oz), but this was one of the hits of the party. Decent head, on a black coffee colored beer. Bursting of chocolate and some coffee undertones. Alcohol is well hidden. My first beer from Poland, and I was very impressed.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 05:00:39 | More by Glibber

keithmurray

Louisiana

3.48/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16.9 oz. into a mug

Appearance - dark brown with fluffy tan head

smell - dark chocolate, coffee grinds, burnt wood, smoked meats

taste - charred malts, coffee grinds, dark chocolate, expresso, molasses

mouthfeel - ample carbonation, medium bodied, smoky upfront, a bit of sweetness mid body and then the finish has some bitterness

overall - I like the way the flavors linger on the palate after the swallow, the taste isn't as robust as other entrants of the style, but at the price point it is worth a shot

Price Point - $2.09/16.9oz bottle

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 01:30:32 | More by keithmurray

Murrhey

Montana

3.63/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 500ml bottle. Reviewed from notes.

A- No head, probably due to a high ABV. Deep black color. No carbonation. Kind of intimidating.

S- Booze and burnt malts. Surprisingly subtle smell.

T- Caramel and dark fruits. Not what I expected at all. The booze is obvious. Coffee notes too.

M- Thin bodied with a gritty finish.

O- Weird beer. Not your usual porter. Not sure if I enjoy it or not.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 02:59:04 | More by Murrhey

jktedder12

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a stemmed porter glass. Small head, which dissipated quickly with some lacing. Poured a deep, dark ruby red. Strong smell of caramel. Taste, a sweet coffee/caramel flavor with hints of sorghum. One of the sweetest porters I've had. Definitely a breakfast or dessert beer. Overall, very nice. Would buy more.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 00:33:15 | More by jktedder12

obywan59

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beer of the month club.

This beer pours darkly into my pint glass, not quite dark brown with reddish hues. Held against a bright yellow light, it's pure ruby to deep ruby. It has a 2 1/2 finger head that recedes rather quickly leaving minimal lacing. There are no carbonation bubbles.

Coffee, charred wood and caramel prevail in the aroma, with more subtle hints of toasted brown bread, dark fruit, and fruity alcohol.

Light metallics or grassy hops are evident in the taste, but the sweet charred malts prevail, accented in the finish by the light bitterness of the hops. The combination of the sweet taste with the high alcohol content give me the impression of rum.

The mouthfeel seems a bit thin for the style, but it still leaves a nice syrupy coating on the tongue, as well as some warming alcohol in the throat.

Porters are my favorite beer style. I prefer them over stouts, because they're generally sweeter. This particular porter is sweeter than most. It's also thinner than most, but that just makes it all the more drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 03:38:59 | More by obywan59

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

3.65/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a glass mug.

A- Deep dark brown that gives off a ruby tint when held up to the light. Fat white tanish head leaves lacing on the surface as well as a ring around the edges of the glass.

S- Strong and rich. Smokey, Chocolate and caramel notes. Bitter earthy hops. Bready malts.

T- Very smokey sweet and caramely. Starts off with the taste of smokey bitter hops and has some sweetness in the middle with chocolate and caramel notes. Finishes somewhat bitter sweet.

M- Medium carbonation but otherwise smooth and full bodied.

O- Good. Very average yet the high alcohol content and low price definitely make this Porter worth the try.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 06:36:11 | More by Zachtheporter

isualum12

Idaho

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Black pour with a little light showing through. The look is not as dark as some. Smell is not that strong but does seem classic Baltic.
Taste chalky with little butterscotch and Carmel along with a hint of garlic.
Feel- light in body. Bite on the end that pinches the side of your check.

Overall it is good but not amazing. I would try it again but not go crazy to get my hands on it.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 02:11:03 | More by isualum12

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.58/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a dark brown color with nice ruby highlights when held to the light. 2 fingers of foamy tan head that retains very well forming a dense cap of micro-bubbles. A descent amount of lacing left behind.

S - Earthy cocoa, overly roasted coffee beans, peat, alcohol, pecans,

T - Roasted malts, old coffee, tangy acidic berry and dark fruitiness, scorched caramel, thin molasses, prunes, soft vanilla, smoked peat. Smokey and on the finish.

M - Light side of medium body, medium carbonation, tangy and slightly acidic.

True to the style of sour, tangy, and smokey. It's a little rough around the edges but aren't all Baltic Porter's? Lighter body than I expected.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 23:19:23 | More by StaveHooks

Damian

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Drank from a 11.2 fl. oz./330 ml bottle purchased at Roly Poly Enterprise, New Britain, CT
Served in a snifter

Chestnut brown in appearance. Lighter in color than expected for the style. The liquid was topped by a one-finger head of khaki, bubbly froth. Splotches of lacing stuck along the glass.

The aroma was amazingly rich and smooth. Tons of dark fruits. Plums, raisins and prunes came through strong. Intense maple and vanilla notes. Generous dose of sweet, bready malts and brown sugar. I swear that I picked up some boozy, bourbon-like notes as well. As much as I enjoyed the smell of this beer, it reminded me more of an old ale than a typical Baltic porter.

The flavor profile was nearly as impressive as the nose. Lots of smooth, dark fruit sweetness on the front end. Dates, figs and prunes were noticeable. Good amount of rich, caramel malts. Some coffee in the center. Touch of roast and smoke as well. Slightly boozy on the back end. For a 9.4% ABV beer, however, the alcohol was very well buried. The crisp, off-dry finish was somewhat steely at first. As the beer warmed, the metallic notes all but disappeared. Like the aroma, the flavor profile was more akin to that of an old ale/strong ale than a Baltic porter.

The beer was medium bodied with a smooth, medium-fine effervescence. Creamy and supple yet a bit thin for the style.

Black Boss Porter is one of the most notable "surprise beers" I have come across in a long while. Furthermore, it paired perfectly with my kielbasa and pierogi dinner. Do yourself a favor by going to your local Polish market and buying a six-pack of this stuff. You will thank me later.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 01:58:40 | More by Damian

StJamesGate

New York

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black that goes clear ruby in light and a semolina-yellow creamy head. Sweet coffee nose.
Slight berry jam, coffee candy, raisin Danish, a touch of roast, slight smoke and lean hops.
Sugary finish and sour mulchy linger. Lt-med, soft, crisp, no hint of the ABV.

Breakfast beer! Lots of residual sugars, but still light. Not nearly as big or dark as other Baltics. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 13:00:13 | More by StJamesGate

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.45/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Black pour, brown round the edges, thin ring of head on the top, looked roughly beige. Aroma of chocolate and licorice, more bitterness in the aroma than I expected.

Taste, easier to drink than expected, chocolate, more licorice, a nutty exterior. For something so big, its nice that the alcohol is well hidden and there is no one flavor that dominates, everything is pretty well balanced on this. Good burnt flavors just in the right proportion. Maybe some darker fruit sweetness. Earthy, yet through this all, there really isn't a heavy mouthfeel, the beer can even seem thin viscosity wise at times.

Usually baltic porters are just too sweet, or bitter without hops, or just not right for me. This one was decent, at a decent price, so I'd check it out again, anytime there is a strong drink, that doesn't suck, at a cheap price, it has a place in the world (deservedly).

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 04:23:19 | More by Beerandraiderfan