Geary's London Porter - D.L. Geary Brewing Company

david18

New York

3/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Geary's has all of a sudden showed up on draft at a number of bars recently. Not sure what the recent push is about but I'm not the biggest fan of this beer. Like a london porter, it's low in abv but it doesn't have the complexity or other elements that a good london porter has.

The appearance is typical of the style. Very dark. Lighter but still brown head.

Aroma was a bit light. You could smell the roastiness but I had been hoping for more.

Like the aroma the taste was a little light. OK, not great. I know it's hard with an abv that low but other breweries have been able to do it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2011 20:37:46 | More by david18

dherling

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at Barcade in Brooklyn last week. Very excited since I have not been able to find this on tap or in bottle in the NY/NJ area the past three years or so.
Pours opaque black with a tight tan head,minimal lacing. Mild coffee nose, light caramel, slight chocolate and cherry notes. I have always described the taste as sucking on a piece of charcoal... in a good way. Great round flavors, well balance coffee and caramel, again with some light coffee lingering in the finish. Very dry and clean finish, just what a dry porter should be. An excellent example of the style.

* Found a six of bottles today at Brooklyn Beer & Soda. Cracked one open... WAY over carbonated. Have been nursing this for over an hour now, ever time I try to drink it just suds up. I hope the other bottles are better.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2011 21:42:23 | More by dherling

rsgcwhite

Connecticut

3.85/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this one tap at the Lost Bear in Portland.

A: Poor bar lighting aside, this beer was dark - almost black. Very little head retention.

S: Licorice! There's a lot going on here - it's smokey, malty, with ample dark chocolate.

T: Initial roasted malt tastes give a little bit of smokiness (not a rauchbier by any means), smooth layering of espresso beans and caramel, finishing with a good balancing hop balance.The beer had relatively lower carbonation than expected, resembling English ales.

This was pleasant to drink, and coupled well with the buffalo chicken sandwich I ordered. It is a complex layering of smells and flavors - some of which blend perfectly, other times you ponder "what is that?".

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2010 12:06:18 | More by rsgcwhite

donniecuffs

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

At dba, NYC. Into a pint glass, it poured a dark mahogany, with a thin khaki head, little retention, yet good lacing. Little visible carbonation. The aroma: nuts, maple syrup, roasted malt, chocolate, and coffee. The taste was a perfect blend of the above, finishing on a semi-dry roasted coffee note, which lingered afterwards. Very flavorful. Full-bodied, with more carbonation than expected. This is a great session porter.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2010 21:05:03 | More by donniecuffs

NickHanna

Maine

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Great Lost Bear in Portland, Maine

The tap version of this porter has a longer lasting head and stronger aroma than the bottled version. It has a nice dark color with a lacy tan head, and little carbonation.

It has a malty, nutty flavor and a rich mouth feel. Very pleasing to drink. There is very little hopiness in the aroma, and combined with the nutty flavor this porter is a warming drink. Good for cool weather.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2009 01:26:00 | More by NickHanna

BeerSox

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap into pint glass @ Bukowski's near downtown Boston.

Pitch black with ruby highlights under a one finger tan head that settles to a thin rim along the glass. Thick rings of lacing. A little molasses in the aroma along with the ubiquitous roasty grains. Burnt malts and a little black coffee. The finish is a little more like roasted walnut. Full bodied.

This is a very enjoyable and sessionable porter. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2009 00:17:28 | More by BeerSox

plaid75

New York

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a deep mahogany hue with a one finger creamy off white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a light burnt grain with elements of smoke and slight cocoa.

The taste consisted of a soft burnt malt, with some hints of smoth coffee. Good floral hop balanced the beer nicely.

The mouthfeel was of average fullness, with a dry finish.

Overall a very tasty porter and nice representation of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2007 14:22:30 | More by plaid75

MuddyFeet

North Carolina

3.13/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served on-tap with lunch today at Jameson's Tavern in Freeport, ME. Poured an extremely dark brown with a thick frothy head. Nose was roasted malts and slightly toasted nuts. Flavor was a solid porter with a bit of charcoal and a hint of coffee. Roasted malts were slightly sweet and cocao-like. The coffee and charcoal provided a bit of bitterness that brought balance to the beer. Medium mouthfeel that was trying hard to hide its wateriness and just succeeded. Nice complement to a bowl of New England Clam Chowder

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2006 22:30:08 | More by MuddyFeet

UnionMade

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer is a tranlucent black, shining a hazy red through light. A thick ring of ivory colored head tops the liquid, lasting until the beer is gone. Some small blobs of lace stick to the glass.
Aroma is simple and light, yet tastefully done. A big roasted barley aroma, with a good amount of coffee. Some mocha and toffee, with a touch of plum and fig. Minimal hopping, just enough to support the malt.
Flavor is wonderfully roasty up front, with an excellent coffee flavor carrying all the way through. Mild chocolate, with a bit of fig coming through in the middle. Very mild hopping provides a bone dry finish, leaving you with a black roasted coffee aftertase. Very slight yeast presence, particularly in the aftertaste. Light bodied, with smooth, english styled carbonation.
A very nice porter. Simple flavors, yet very interesting and drinkable. I'd certainly get this again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2003 19:03:17 | More by UnionMade

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.38/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

From the 12 fl. oz. bottle. Sampled on April 19, 2013.

It pours nearly black with brown hues caressing the edge of the lgass and a long-lasting, foamy tan head.

The aroma is delightful with dark malts coffee and even a little smoke.l

But from here on out it slips a bit. The body was thin and a lot more watery than the Porters I like to drink.

The taste has hints of dark malts and coffee but there is am kind of buttery character and and bland aftertaste that lingers. I chalk that up to low bitterness but it just seems to be missing something.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 00:49:48 | More by puboflyons

angusdegraosta

New York

3.76/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

The appearance is what you'd expect - well-carbonated and decent lacing. Great roasted smell. The taste has got dark chocolate and coffee wrapped in with the malt - a great dry example of the style (and also, a really excellent example of a dark beer not loaded with calories.) I was going to dock more points in the mouthfeel department for being maybe too mild, but as I'm drinking it, I'm realizing a.) this is the first porter I could drink several of, and b.) This is Geary's. I really really dig this company. They blend tradition and craftsmanship in a way I thoroughly respect.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 04:10:07 | More by angusdegraosta

flagmantho

Washington

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: extremely dark brown which allows a minimal transit of light through the body. Head is a thick finger of pillowy tan foam with decent retention.

Smell: rich chocolatey aroma with a light undertone of vegetal hops. Simple, but well-executed.

Taste: much less chocolate in the flavor than in the aroma; the flavor has a lightly bitter, somewhat acidic character with a roasty grain component. Not quite coffeelike, but definitely "black" in taste. I actually rather like it; it is dry and quaffable.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a fizzy effervescence that works hard to be creamy but doesn't quite make it. Not bad, but not wonderful.

Overall: I like the dryness and drinkability of this porter. I feel like this would make a great session drink down the pub.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 17:34:24 | More by flagmantho

KajII

North Carolina

3.28/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

[Suggested Glassware: Nonic Pint]

The pour was a very dark brown with a reddish hue and an average (1-2 finger) light brown rocky head that was mostly diminishing, down to a thin puddling and medium collar that produced fair runny lacing.

The aroma was of dark roasted malts and a sweaty leathery yeast with notes of dark chocolate, roasted coffee and a hint of molasses.

The taste was very malty with a touch of bitter chocolate and a hint of sweet molasses in the beginning, and then slowly progressed with a slightly bitter sweet coffee flavor towards the end. The flavor hung around for a short while with the mild bitter coffee taste becoming more dominant as time pasted.

Mouthfeel was a bit below medium in body and rather thin in texture with a somewhat prickly carbonation.

Overall a pretty basic Porter with a good flavor and easy drinkability, I could see myself drinking a few of these...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 21:16:08 | More by KajII

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a 1.5" deep beige head with good life. Looks dark as coffee. The smell is coffee and roasted malt. Taste mirrors the smell but it's not as hopped as I'd expect from a London Porter. Nor is the body as rich. Frankly I thought this porter was kind of thin. Good, just not really a Londoner to me.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 11:51:31 | More by MoreThanWine

Beastdog75

New Jersey

2.75/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Geary's is one of the most well known and respected micro brewers to hail from the state of Maine, but I have to say I'm a little bit disappointed in their porter. Maybe it's a bad batch or perhaps the bottles were old, but this was a little bit weaker than I was expected from a porter.

Geary's London Porter pours a VERY nice, very dark brown color with a very nice cocoa colored foam head that retains very well. The first aroma I noticed was actually a bit of citric hoppiness, with some non-overpowering roasted malts present as well. The mouthfeel is par for the style, with a moderate amount of carbonation but feeling well-rounded. As mentioned, I find the flavor a bit on the light side. There are some chocolate like roasted malt flavors, some mocha/coffee like flavors and some light citric hoppiness detectable, but they really don't leap out at me the way I expect a porter to do. It almost seemed a bit watery. There is some bitterness in the finish, consisting of hop flavors and some roasted bitterness. The roasted flavors linger on to the aftertaste, and the beer finishes off with some slight alcoholic warmth.

I think I might re-try this one down the road. The flavors that were there were decent, but I guess I was expecting more out of this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 05:31:48 | More by Beastdog75

metter98

New York

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is nearly jet black in color and only has bits of red visible near the bottom of the glass when it is held up to the light. It poured with a thin beige head that died down but consistently left a thin layer of bubbles on the surface and a dense ring around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of chocolate malts in the nose along with some hints of burnt malts.
T: Like the smell, the taste has flavors of bittersweet chocolate along with notes of burnt and roasted malts. A light amount of bitterness is present and this lingers through the finish.
M: It feels a bit shy of medium-bodied on the palate and seems rather airy with a moderate to high amount of carbonation.
O: I really enjoyed this beer because it was packed with lots of flavors while being very easy to drink and rather light-bodied. I could easily drink this beer all night long.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2012 00:49:43 | More by metter98

emerge077

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Single poured into a tulip glass. "1264" julian date code on the bottom of the bottle.

Generates a large head of tan mocha foam, leaving random spotty lace in the glass. Inky black body, some tobacco stained brown shows through around the edges.

Roasty char, graphite, unsweetened bakers chocolate.

Dry astringent feel, ashy bitter roast, mellow roasted malt lending chocolate and unsweetened dark chocolate flavors. Body is a little light and watery, but the flavor makes up for it somewhat. Overall a good roasty porter, though Founders Porter is still superior by far.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 03:11:45 | More by emerge077

brentk56

North Carolina

3.35/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: A lot of pressure was released on the opening of the bottle and the pour was all foam; eventually, it settled down atop the fudge brown liquid; as would be expected, there was plenty of lacing

Smell: Roasty, with light chocolate tones

Taste: Chalky and chocolatey, with a dry, almost tart flavor developing by mid-palate; chocolate, on the finish, but also somewhat aqueous

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with low to moderate carbonation

Overall: Nice that it has a low ABV, but lacking in flavor

Thanks, Bendurgin, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 23:25:40 | More by brentk56

kangarooAdam59

Connecticut

3.64/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5

In a pint glass:

A: deep brown body close to black, tiny tan one finger head, minimal lacing

S: roasty and chocolatey, burnt

T: roasty burnt chocolate, slightly sweet, some slight nuttiness

M: medium, carbonation assaulting the tongue more than other English Porters I've had, sessionable, no aftertaste but roasty finish

O: decent for the style, good for me

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 00:01:43 | More by kangarooAdam59

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a blackish body with slow dying one-finger brownish head. A good mix of roasted, dry, even coffee malts and for sweetness something like caramel, dark chocolate and vanilla. Smooth, slightly creamy while also a little chewey thanks to some thick breadiness. A sturdy backbone of roasted and coffee malt balance with the sweetness of caramel and chocolate (and I think vanilla espresso). Textbook porter that is easy to drink and complements itself with a great, dry finish taht keeps me wanting more.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 22:09:18 | More by clayrock81

BEERMILER12

Maine

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours an almost black color with about a finger of mocha head that fades away after a few minutes

S: Some nice chocolatey malts along with coffee and some backing earthy hops

T: Same as the smell, malty with dark chocolate and coffee along with the hops. Not too strong, but well balanced

M: Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Slightly watery, but not too bad, especially given the abv and full flavor

O: This is a solid English porter that has full flavor despite the low abv. Easy to drink, and goes great on a rainy day like today

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 03:48:04 | More by BEERMILER12

mdaschaf

Washington

3.85/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark brown with some red hues as well. There is a one finger off-white head on top with nice retention and lacing all around the glass.

S: Some faint roasted malt, a little bit of coffee, dark chocolate, and smoked malt.

T: A bit smokier than expected (though not too much), with a bit of roast, coffee, and chocolate.

M: A little light a thin for a porter, but goes down very easy.

O: A pretty solid beer. Nice flavor for behing so low in abv, which I applaud. Could be a nice, darker beer, to keep in the fridge.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 00:55:20 | More by mdaschaf

TonyReaves

Maine

4.45/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pitch black with think lacing.

Smell of coffee, roastiness.

Tastes dark, roasty, smoky with a tiny bit of breadiness in the back. No hops that I notice, but they're not missed.

Mouthfeel is pretty dry with heavy carbonation. I wish it was a little smoother, but it doesn't hurt the beer much for me.

This is such a good porter. Worlds different from the smooth porters and hoppy porters I usually go for, but this drinks wonderfully.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 02:19:10 | More by TonyReaves

KTCamm

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours pitch black with light foam, light on bubbles. Roasted coffee smell. Roasted. Smooth creamy taste, mild and balanced. solid english porter.

Flavorful without hitting you over the head with a hop. Hearty roasted taste. chewy. Smooth close.

Real nice porter. I love them english style.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 11:14:11 | More by KTCamm

GarrettMD

New York

3.55/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Extremely dark amber almost black. 2 fingers of off white head. Head recedes to a layer of frothy bubbles with great head.

S - I can’t place the aroma at all. If I had to guess, vanilla, light fruits, and some alcohol. Really have no idea…

T - Same vague flavors. Light fruits, maybe some chocolate, vanilla, and slight roasted malts.

M - Medium bodied, light carbonation. Slightly watery mouthfeel. Finish is wet and sweet with hints of fruits.

O - I drank this blind, and I think it is an English Porter. Not generally a fan of them, as I like my porters to be roasty and full of darker flavors, not really light and fruity. If that’s what you’re looking for, it fits, but not my taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 20:51:58 | More by GarrettMD