Monteith's Barrel Aged Porter - Monteith's Brewing Co.

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.2/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle from Henry's in Queenstown. From notes.

A - Poured deep red/brown with one finger of light brown head. Light gets through so it's not exactly black. Mild lace, film retention.

S - Chocolatey, grapey, really mild.

T - Chocolate was the first flavour present, followed by an oaky, vinous, pinot noir character that added a neat layer of complexity. Sugar was present as well. Fairly sweet. Wine character increased quite a bit as time elapsed and porter's chocolatey character was put on the backburner.

M - Good mild carbonation with a medium to full body and a dry vinous finish.

O/D - Alright porter. Nice contribution from the barrels but it seemed to overpower the porter base that didn't really contribut enough. Went down easy enough and tasted alright but I couldn't have another.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 02:38:53 | More by tbeckett

WestCoastLibations

California

4.01/5  rDev +27.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

If reminiscence were part of the point system here, this beer would get 5's all-around. With a brewery visit to Montheith's while on the West Coast of New Zealand, some things will never leave my conscious being, and I can say with almost complete certainty that that will be one of them. I actually visited twice over a two day period! That is saying something about either the beer or the town. I dunno.

As for the specifics, I am reminded, while drinking this beer, why I tend to shy away from Porters. Barrel Aged or not, I can't tell the difference, probably due to my affection towards Hoppier styled ales. Regardless though, I can appreciate it's color, which was almost complete Black upon some glances, and switching to a dark Brown on other takes. Maybe it was the light, maybe it way my eyes, but it had that Porter appearance, through and through.

The smell came out of the bottle strong, and stayed robust until the last sip, not loosing anything either though travel or babysitting. In fact, as time went on, notes of flavor became more clear, the whole while though, never loosing that base on which it was concocted.

The same can be said for both the taste and mouthfeel, that during the process of drinking it, I felt like our conversation was growing, where at first, it was an awkward introduction. With 6.5% doing its thang, I grew to like the beer, but again, cannot say that it persuaded me to join the Porter delegation. Having a second one woulda been a challenge, but being a professional, I am sure I coulda handled it.

When in New Zealand, I went with this souvenir since it was part of the "Brewer's Series". I am glad I did, as it was one of the options not offered on tap at the brewery, and I wanted something different. I think maybe next to a fire, a novel, and a girlfriend, this beer might have been better, but standing alone, it merely brought back memories of my time in Greymouth, as opposed to opening up new paths towards a Porter-infused future...

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 10:48:22 | More by WestCoastLibations