Mudpuppy Porter - Central Waters Brewing Company

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

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

From 12/7/12 Tasting Notes... Seasonal selection on tap at the local supper club. This was served slightly chilled in a pint glass.

A) Dark brown with a nice finger of dark tan head. The head had nice retention, slowly settling to a dusting, ample lacing.

S) A nice aroma of roasted malt, coffee beans, chocolate, and a pleasant sweetness that was like melting brown sugar. Not overly sweet, but worth mentioning.

T) Near the nose, with an enjoyable taste of coffee, chocolate and toffee/caramel sweetness. There's some piney hops too, which was nice, and just bitter enough.

M) Pretty creamy, medium body, moderate carbonation. Easy drinking with a nice aftertaste.

O) Had this in a bottle a while back, and I recall that I liked it, but I was really impressed with it on tap. This is a very tasty porter, and I would gladly recommend it.

Paired this with a fish fry, which was also good going down. This was not the case later that night, thanks to the stomach virus that's been going around.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2012 00:36:09 | More by RoamingGnome

WoodBrew

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I was able to try the Mudpuppy Porter at Moonshine in the Wicker Park area of Chicago. The beer poured a very nice opaque with finger thick slightly off white head that laced nicely. The smell included sweet malt and sligth roast. The taste was a nice creamy porter with good tones of peat, roast, chocolate and hints of coffee. The mouthfeel was medium body with subtle carbonation. Overall it was a pretty good porter and I would definitely try again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2012 01:02:47 | More by WoodBrew

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this at Jamison Pour House with dinner.
I thought this beer was fantastic, must have been just tapped.
A really really, really nice deep brown colored ale with ruby hight lights. Came with a super dense but smallish off white foamy cap that was present the whole way down. And looks nicely carbonated to boot, huh!
A complex malt aroma with a good dose of rich roasted malts some coffee and cocoa with hints of dark fruits and molasses.
Taste was similar with an abundance of rich malts. A good bit of roasted malts some coffee and the like. Very fresh and lively this full bodied beer is with a slightly dry finish.
This beer could possibly put edmund into the back seat as far as porters, although I've not had Edmund from a tap yet.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 18:50:49 | More by micromaniac129

EricCioe

Montana

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the University of Chicago Pub, 12 July 2011.

This pours something like light black with a two finger khaki head that stuck around a while and left great lace. On the nose there was a smattering of bittersweet chocolate, slightly musty and old coffee, and some roasted malt. It wasn't especially overpowering but it was a classic, pleasant porter aroma. In the mouth those flavors were intensified, the coffee almost getting towards astringent but always staying on the pleasant side of it. The body was a bit light and left a medium finish kind of unsupported, but it did contribute to easy drinking, which at 5.5% is I'm sure was the more important goal.

Overall, this was an enjoyable porter, not quite to the level of Fitz or Founders, but approaching that pretty handily. Between this and Satin Solstice, I like what Central Waters does with dark beers so far.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2011 04:01:56 | More by EricCioe

CharlatanSin

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap on my first night on my Madison, WI vacation. I was told to seek out Central Waters, so here it goes.

A: Pours a dark, clear brown. It's got a smooth, half inch off white head.

S: A little weaker than I'd hoped. Pretty roasty, with some bitter chocolate and a little coffee. Pretty par for the course for the style.

T: Definitely stronger than the smell. The roasted flavors come out more, and are matched very well with the bitter, dry chocolate and the coffee. There's also a mild hoppiness to balance it, and a faint spiciness.

M: Extremely dry, which is how I like my roasty porters. Body's a bit on the light side for the style, and the carbonation's low but active.

D: Not the most exciting porter on the planet, but there's no doubt I could drink it all night. A good start to my Wisconsin beer odyssey.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2010 19:26:37 | More by CharlatanSin

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

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

Served on tap at Nite Cap Inn in Palmyra,WI
A: jet black, head nice in beginning but eventually dissipated to nothing
S: very good roasted, nutty nose
T: well-balanced, very clean, roasted malt and nuttiness, nice hop bitterness in finish
M: full and rounded mouthfeel
D: very drinkable and well-made

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2009 02:43:26 | More by wisrarebeer

Ragingbull

California

3.58/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Mahogany color with a rim of foam and some lacing in the center of the surface. Flecks of light give some brownish character to the head/beer. The nose is malty with some gentle hops and smoke. Very light body and mouthfeel. Delicate malt structure to the flavor and there is a little bit of a bite at the finish. Very clean and light. Extremely drinkable, but the flavor is somewhat muted due to the lightness of the beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2009 15:25:18 | More by Ragingbull

kickapoodude

Alaska

5/5  rDev +28.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I have tried many porters and this beer has ruined me for all others. Many are to sweet on the back of my tongue, this beer is a perfect mixture of hearty coffee nutty flavors. Poured pitch black with a oaky head. At the brewery they serve it nitro, which is an entirely new mouthfeel. This is the perfect porter for my pallet.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2008 15:16:33 | More by kickapoodude

WJVII

Wisconsin

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I drink this all the time so I was puzzled when I noticed I had yet to review this beer. Poured on tap into a pint glass this has a chocolate brown color with a brown 1 inch head. The aroma is chocolaty with some hints of honey and malt. The taste is sweet with strong notes of chocolate and hints of spice and nuts. The body is medium with mild carbonation. This is just a great session brew.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2008 19:02:22 | More by WJVII

abents

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Wow, I love this beer.
This brew is a dark dark brown with a good tan head and lacing up and down the glass. Aromas of hops and chocolate appear when smelled. Starts out with a bitter hops followed smoothly by a dry chocolate finish ending on the sweeter side. Sits in the mouth well extremely creamy porter that was very enjoyable. Could drink multiple ones of these, not as filling as most porters for me.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2004 17:28:58 | More by abents

Rob107

Wisconsin

3.55/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75

A: nice dark color and one finger of thick creamy head, very nice appearance

S: not picking up any chocolate or coffee others had mentioned, just a nice roasted malt smell

T: very nice roasted malt taste, but not very complex; perhaps I have an older bottle since I can't detect hops of any significance as mentioned on the bottle; still pleasant and clean tasting

M: mouthfeel is watery, about average for a porter

O: overall I enjoyed this beer, it is a decent porter but not as good as the top contenders. it would be a great choice to complement any non spicy meal.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 01:39:50 | More by Rob107

Mavigo

Michigan

4.09/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

This was given to me as a gift, I love porters so I have high hopes for this guy. Poured in a nonic. Never heard of this brewery before.

A: Poured a deep dark brown, basically black, with a thin tan head and bits of lacing

S: Smelled of chocolate, barley, malt sugars, brown sugars, some wheat and yeast, along with a bit of hops

T: Pretty rich flavor, fairly sweet, brown and malt sugars, barley, chocolate as well, tasting a bit ore hop than I would've expected

M: Little more carbonated than I would like, but it is well balanced with the flavor, adds a bit of crispness to the rich, full bodied flavors

O: This being y first beer from Central Waters, I would say good job, it was very enjoyable and allowed me to relax a bit while I did some work. A very good porter.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 01:12:20 | More by Mavigo

wiscokid920

Wisconsin

4.21/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Part of a Variety Pack I made up while touring CW! 12 oz, Nov 2012, bottle poured into Snifter

A- Jet black with thick 2 finger tan head. Tons of Yeast sediment floating throughout…should be getting plenty of B Vit with this brew!

S- Toasted brown malt, chocolate, vanilla and bourbon notes with some subtley lingering hoppy spices.

T- Great coffee flavor. Dark chocolate, toasted bready/biscuit flavors. Deliciously warming on a cold Wisco winter night.

M- Medium body, creamy and smooth

O- A fantastic American Porter. A delicious Winter Beer with excellent flavor and balance.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 02:42:29 | More by wiscokid920

davey101

Connecticut

3.84/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle into a DFH signature glass. Bottled on March 2012. Nearly a year old and it had some goop on the bottom of the bottle, mmm goop. Thank Wes for the extra!

A - Pours a pitch black body, a rather dark porter that shows just a hint of brown on the edges when held up to the light. One finger of off white foam with some real nice lacing and retention.

S - Bitter coffee beans and smooth milk chocolate. A touch of roasted malt and vanilla. Smells a lot like a malted milk ball. Real nice!

T - Milk chocolate, coffee and cream, and lasting roasted mats. Not as great as the nose.

M - Thin to medium bodied with ample carbonation. Pretty spot on for a porter.

O - The char gets to be a bit too dominating on the aftertaste, but this is otherwise a nice porter. Its held up very well considering its almost a year old.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 02:58:53 | More by davey101

BierStein711

Illinois

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

Bottle poured into pint.

Two finger dark tan head, jet black beer with red hue at the bottom of the glass.

Smells of vanilla, bourbon, oak, woods, and roasted malt.

Taste: coffee, vanilla, oak, roasted malt with a hop bite at the end

Mouthfeel: thick, creamy, and smooth

Overall, this is a fine beer! I enjoyed this, but overall I found it to be a fine example of the style. This is an excellent winter beer. Please try.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 21:09:01 | More by BierStein711

pmcadamis

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark chocolate brown with absolutely no head save a wisp of fizz around the collar.

S - Chocolate brownies. Tootsie rolls. Very malty and sweet.

T - Double chocolate chip cookies and Tootsie rolls. A hint of hops keeps the sweetness from getting totally out of control.

M - Very sugary and thick up front, but drying up a little bit for a dusty finish that leaves you craving another sip of sweetness! Nicely done!

A good wintery desert porter. Quite drinkable. Hints at sugary "dessert beer" flavors while maintaining a nice level of sessionability.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 18:05:33 | More by pmcadamis

aleric

3.73/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - One thin layer of bubbles that instantly dissipated. Dark brown, almost completely black save for some dark amber on the edges.

S - Chocolate and malt. Faint hops.

T - More dry, dark chocolate with bread crust. A green finish, almost reminiscent of lettuce. The hops come into play to create a nice balance.

M - Light mouthfeel, and slightly oily. Moderate carbonation makes it interesting.

O - The bottle advertises "thick, rocky head," but this bottle failed to deliver that, even after a fairly violent pour. Maybe it was a bum batch. But once I was past that initial disappointment I enjoyed this beer quite a bit. It's hopped more than most porters, but it works... no complaints here. This beer is delicious with a good sandwich, so I'll be buying again!

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 15:06:49 | More by aleric

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Pumking glass on 8/16/12

Bottled on: June

Dark brown with highlights of deep crimson. There isn't all that much of a head and the foam that's there isn't inclined to last over time. Dense beer; suspended sediment. Very little lace.

A lush, smooth chocolate aroma is accented by coffee beans and roasted dark chocolate. Piney hop notes are interwoven and a touch of green to an otherwise roasty nose. While the underlying roasty chocolate flavor and medium-full body are smooth, pine hops and moderate carbonation add a layer of pleasant agitation and residual bitterness. It's quite simple, but plenty tasty.

I reckon this may be too hoppy a porter for some folks, but it works just fine for me. I'd enjoy this from time to time if I were geographically able. Recommended if you like hoppy porters. Wish I had more of this.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 04:42:45 | More by Ryan011235

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.28/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Reviewed from tasting notes.

Pours out the expected dark brown color, with a single finger of tan head for about a minute, no real lacing. Smells of dark chocolate, a little splash of coffee, and that's about it. I can't really find the expected scent of toasted or roasted malt. Tastes of the roasted malt I was expecting to find in the nose. Further investigation reveals a bit of sweet malt and earthen hopping in the flavor once the beer has warmed up for a bit, and a medium body and carbonation level. Honestly, this is a fairly average porter, it doesn't do much to stand out from the crown IMHO.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 00:48:48 | More by WastingFreetime

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Substantial dark brown pour, cream, beige-ish head on it, 3/4" in depth. A pretty good looking beer. Aroma, pretty tame, nothing off, nothing robust and jumping out either, mild notes of roasted malts, two row and chocolate, nothing surprising here, just standard.

Taste, good easy drinking porter, again, good roasting, run of the mill for a good porter, no alcohol noticeable, above average bitterness. Packs a lot of caramel and toffee into the beer. The chocolate mouthfeel is the kind with no sweetness. Dry. Pretty enjoyable around a campfire when you're just drinking the sessionable stuff. Would drink again, a good example of regular 6 pack porter stuff when you're not looking for barrel aged geekery or whatnot.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 23:45:35 | More by Beerandraiderfan

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very dark brown color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of chocolate, some coffee notes. Taste is coffee up front, then the chocolate kicking in at the finish. Feels full bodied in the mouth and overall a good beer, one that I probably would have enjoyed more in the winter.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 21:55:28 | More by tone77

rodkin

Missouri

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark ruby with a 1.5 finger light tan head, which reduces to a small foam covering.

Smell is roasted malts. Some coffee, some chocolate. Nice, but nothing special.

Taste is like the smell, but a bit more flavorful. Maybe a tiny hit of dark fruit sweetness. It's pretty nice.

Mouthfeel is a little thin, and a little undercarbonated. Pretty average.

A decent porter. Pretty easy drinking, definitely sessionable, but nothing to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 03:14:55 | More by rodkin

mjpolzin

Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Central Waters is my favorite brewery but I had never had their porter before. I found it to be pretty good; nothing great but nothing bad. It was very easy drinking with a nice roasted coffee malty taste. For me to rank a beer really high it has to knock my socks off with the taste or alcohol. This beer didn't do either but it is a very drinkable dark beer if you were looking to knock back a few of them in a row.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 00:32:54 | More by mjpolzin

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to davesway10 for the bottle!

Pours black, very nice, with a rocky dark tan head. Retention was great, receding to a nice foamy layer.

There's a nice roasted note in the aroma, along with a subtle roasted coffee. It's light overall, but nice.

Coffee, roasted malts and a bit of bakers chocolate are much more forward on the taste than the aroma. Very subtle bitterness on the finish.

Nice medium body, and creamy.

Nice porter!

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 01:58:34 | More by EgadBananas

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A dark brown-bodied beer with a modest tan head that settles down slowly. Good lacing on the glass.

Excellent aroma of roast malt, bittersweet chocolate, traces of coffee and smoke. Flavor is equally inviting and complex with a surprising smoked note well intermingled with the more familiar chocolate, coffee, molasses and charry roasted notes. A hint of vague, hoppy bitterness in the finish. Very moderate sweetness.

Medium-thin bodied with lively but not overly assertive carbonation. Just a touch of creaminess. Finishes clean and dry and is easy drinking and refreshing. A quality porter to be sure.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 15:47:48 | More by tobelerone