Portsmouth Kate The Great - Portsmouth Brewery

ktrillionaire

Florida

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

Big thanks to Blaine for the share; the beer is hype-worthy, in my estimation. The brew has an average look for an RIS; if anything stands out, its that it is more brown than black, and it has a more airy head than usual. Dark chocolate, smores, graham crackers, light nutty caramel, candied dark fruit, fudge and a plethora of other specialities of a chocolatier come to mind, and all of these elements are expressed with the utmost sophistication. The nose is the very definition of decadence; the flavor is lesser in intensity, partially owing to a thinner body, but this lends itself to a more vinous-tinged character than the aroma suggests, and it works out in the favor of added complexity. Lots of lingering oak and booze are noted on the finish, as well as lots of raisin. The beer is too hard to get, obviously, but it is a hell of a brew if you get a crack at it.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 22:23:33 | More by ktrillionaire

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

United Kingdom (Scotland)

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

brydeen

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +9.9%

03-23-2013 05:31:15 | More by brydeen

rtaps

California

4.75/5  rDev +4.4%

03-22-2013 02:15:56 | More by rtaps

Brewnami

Texas

4.99/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

If you want to know what the mouthfeel is like, or what color this beer is, take a peek at the other 700 reviews. I am writing here today to boldly state that this might be the best beer I've ever had. I luckily was able to get my hands on two bottles of this recently from the last batch made at Portsmouth Brewery in 2012. Because I am a nice guy and sharing is caring, I poured the little bottle into 5 glasses so that 4 other people could induldge in a beer in which, unless you work there, you need to win a lottery just to be able to purchase. This is as smooth as a nitro stout, perfectly balanced with chocolate notes and bitterness, smells delectable, and hides the 12% ABV very nicely. If anyone who has not tried this beer, enjoys Russian Imperial Stouts, and has the opportunity to trade for a bottle or purchase one from someone, I highly recommend doing so. I have one more bottle and I don't know when I will open it as I don't want it to go away. Hopefully the brewer will make this again one day!

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 18:43:56 | More by Brewnami

homebrew311

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

2012 vintage reviewed from notes. Pours like a typical RIS, thick black and opaque with little to no head. The owe starts with deep roasts malts followed by a touch of oak, a bit of smoke and char, heavy waves of dark fruit and molasses, and some ashy notes. The taste is smooth and well rounded with chocolate and molasses coming through the strongest. The body is heavy and the carbonation is mild which makes for a smooth mouthfeel. Overall, this brew is very tasty and well executed. I don't really get much port character in this, and perhaps I was expecting liquid gold with all the hype surrounding this... I didn't get that, but it is still a damn good beer!

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 06:12:55 | More by homebrew311

Greenplastic615

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +4.4%

03-10-2013 20:17:49 | More by Greenplastic615

TheBronze

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev -1.1%

03-10-2013 07:21:34 | More by TheBronze

stereosforgeeks

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +4.4%

03-10-2013 04:47:56 | More by stereosforgeeks