Portsmouth Kate The Great - Portsmouth Brewery

Todd

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Growler from the source. Man does it suck living only 1 hour away from the brewery. Dual-reviewing this with the bro as I type, but silently so he won't copy me.

Dense, opaque, black, like motor oil, with a rich looking coffee colored head that eventually drops to a ringed lace. Gorgeous.

Big, bold nose full of molasses, chocolate cake with a glass of milk on the side, some spicy hops blended with sherry, and a tease of anise and char in the back. Tobacco, too. "So ... damn ... complex," said in my best Shatner voice.

Smooth, full-bodied, and viscous in the feel. Quite spicy upfront, with an herbal and lightly citric hop smack that's steeping in a border-line boozy, peppery, and warming alcohol chop to the throat that burns; just a bit. Malt characters run deep with some tangy blackstrap molasses, honey, treacle syrup, some char, brownie/chocolate, burnt coffee, and an interesting dark, fruitiness that's akin prunes (aka - dried plums; which I guess sounds better these days). Finish is quite tame with some powdery sweet chocolate. More hop spice, fumy alcohol (not too hot), and a hint of smoke in the linger.

Kate is indeed Great. This is probably the 4th or 5th time I've had this beer and it just keeps on getting better. Balanced, for what it is, insanely complex, and ranks right up there with the best of its style.

Serving type: growler

01-03-2008 21:40:46 | More by Todd

mrandypandy

Georgia

4.75/5  rDev +4.4%

06-17-2013 17:07:56 | More by mrandypandy

mtchaput

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +9.9%

06-11-2013 23:15:16 | More by mtchaput

EricDu

New Hampshire

5/5  rDev +9.9%

06-06-2013 04:40:52 | More by EricDu

jbar920

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +9.9%

05-29-2013 18:03:37 | More by jbar920

mcintire78

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +9.9%

05-28-2013 16:41:50 | More by mcintire78

JitsuBrew

Washington

4.75/5  rDev +4.4%

05-24-2013 21:03:49 | More by JitsuBrew

chippo33

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev -1.1%

05-23-2013 01:29:30 | More by chippo33

marine1975

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -6.6%

05-21-2013 02:14:40 | More by marine1975

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev -1.1%

05-20-2013 12:19:31 | More by InspectorBob

tourdot

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev -1.1%

05-12-2013 06:40:54 | More by tourdot

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -12.1%

05-05-2013 22:11:27 | More by ejimhof

xxcarpxx

Alabama

4.5/5  rDev -1.1%

05-04-2013 19:48:23 | More by xxcarpxx

davey101

Connecticut

4.59/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Quick notes. 2011 vintage, 22 oz bottle into a tulip glass. Huge thanks to Doug for sharing a pour with me! A really big want of mine which I've heard far too many grumblings of it being "overrated".

Pours a dark black body with a quickly fading mocha head. The aroma and taste on this beer is really unique as the port does leave quite an impression. Lots of chocolate, roasted malt, molasses and an almost dark fruit/black grape acridity. Rich and creamy mouth feel. Its rich and decadent and the dark fruit element that the port brings to the table really works. This exceeds all hype for me as I found it to be one of the best non barrel aged stouts I have had. I really hope this recipe carries on with Mott's new brewery as I would love to try it fresh.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 20:04:56 | More by davey101

MattKane

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +4.4%

04-29-2013 05:08:50 | More by MattKane

Noyt

Quebec (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev -6.6%

04-27-2013 22:53:49 | More by Noyt

Davihaw

Illinois

5/5  rDev +9.9%

04-26-2013 18:27:39 | More by Davihaw

Davelucas88

Delaware

5/5  rDev +9.9%

04-25-2013 04:40:09 | More by Davelucas88

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.98/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

This 2011 vintage was generously shared by Rutager.

A: Black liquid with 1/2" light brown head.

S: Chocolate, salt, caramel and grass.

T: Cherries, figs, raisins, pears, roasted barley, chocolate and caramel.

M: Medium viscosity and a medium to low level of carbonation.

O: This stout is pretty much perfect. The Belgian yeast strain and special B malt are an amazing addition to the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 01:27:58 | More by DaftCaskBC

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.63/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

2011 bottle thanks to Yeahnatenelson. Served at cellar temperature.

Appearance. Pours black with 1/2 a finger of khaki head.

Smell. Prunes, raisins, chocolate, rum, cherries and caramel. Despite that description it's very unique smelling and keeps me coming back for more.

Taste. Tobacco, prunes, raisins, chocolate, plums and molasses.

Mouthfeel. On the lower side of full body with medium-low soft and smooth carbonation, unbelievably smooth.

Overall. Smooth and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 18:46:43 | More by Rutager

TallSaint

New York

4.75/5  rDev +4.4%

04-06-2013 17:19:18 | More by TallSaint

MarvinSnyder

West Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +4.4%

03-31-2013 19:41:49 | More by MarvinSnyder

danoeltico

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +9.9%

03-25-2013 18:46:34 | More by danoeltico

Sparky44

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -6.6%

03-24-2013 01:45:02 | More by Sparky44

jderosia603

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev -1.1%

03-24-2013 00:43:01 | More by jderosia603