Bobo's Robust Porter - Big Sky Brewing Company

SerialHiker

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours the darkest possible brown to black…thick, mocha colored head…tight tiny bubbles making a solid layer of foam…a nice looking beer…(3.75/5)

Smell: Chocolate…strong dark chocolate aroma up front…yummy chocolate! Roasted malts, vanilla, milk…a creamy chocolate porter…I’m talking, breaking up a chocolate bar then inhaling the tiny chips…(4/5)

Taste: Rich dark bitter chocolate surrounded by roasted malts, coffee, cream, vanilla…it’s got flavor, but it’s not complex…comes in very chocolaty, ends with coffee and cream…very roasted all the way through…it’s okay…(3.25/5)

Mouthfeel: Medium body with light carbonation…too light for my taste…smooth, wet…finishes with a bit of coffee bitterness…(3/5)

Overall: This beer is good, not great…the flavor is drinkable, but lacks a bit of pizzazz and almost goes towards “novelty”…it would probably be a better ice cream flavor than a beer…as it stands, if porters are your bag, than this is worth trying, but this wouldn’t be my first choice…I typically like beers that have flavor, not flavored…this is a run of the mill porter with heavy chocolate notes that separates it from others, but doesn’t take it to another level…(3.5/5)

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 03:17:28 | More by SerialHiker

jeremyd365

Michigan

4.3/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

So this guy poured a solid motor oil with off white head. It smelled of sweet chocolatey coffee and tasted much the same. It's body seemed a little thin for how rich the flavor was, but overall a really enjoyable beer. I'd have it again for sure. As with most beers I really enjoy out of the bottle, I'd want to give the tap a go!

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 01:25:02 | More by jeremyd365

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Gale Sayers shaker pint glass.

I think we've all known some dog that looks (and probably acts) exactly like Bobo... Anyway, this stuff pours a deep mahogany topped by a finger of bright tan foam. The nose comprises cocoa, coffee, light roasted malts, and a twinge of molasses. The taste brings in more of the same, with the roast coming through more strongly and the cocoa darkening a touch. There is a pronounced roastiness and, well, robustness present in this beer. The body is a stolid medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda drying finish. Overall, a very nice strong porter, one that shows you can have some strong, robust flavor without resorting to high ABVs and overly-wacky adjunct additions. Good times.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 14:56:58 | More by TMoney2591

n2185

North Carolina

3.28/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: pours black a finger of tan head that recedes into a thin ring with a little lacing.

S: roasted malts with creamy chocolate and some slight char.

T: roasted malts here as well with bitter chocolate, char, and some coffee.

M: medium-thick body with lowish carbonation, this beer could be a bit creamier or with more carbonation.

O: a decent porter overall, though nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 03:08:59 | More by n2185

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 4/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours an opaque black with a dark brown two finger head and heavy lacing. Aroma of dark malt, coffee and chocolate. Medium body and dark roasty malts with some pleasant smoky flavors. Tasty start and middle, tapers off at the finish. Nice dark, quite pleasant and enjoyable porter. I will buy again.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 23:37:37 | More by LiquidAmber

divineaudio

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

pint glass.

a - pours an opaque dark brown shade. forms a finger thick, creamy, tan head that calms slowly to a thin film. leaves thin, leggy lacing in the glass.

s - chocolate, roast, faint char, faint raisin.

t - roasted malt with big dark chocolate flavor. some dark fruity notes and faint oxidation. nice earthy hop bitterness for balance. not super complex like some porters, but well done.

m - full bodied, adequate carbonation, coarser co2 profile.

o - solid overall and quite enjoyable. i'm surprised this doesn't have a higher rating on here as it can easily hold it's own against better known examples of the style. will definitely be picking up more of this.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 01:35:51 | More by divineaudio

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from tasting notes.

Pours out a very dark brown bordering on black with a tan frothy single finger head that lasts for about a minute but leaves minimal lacing behind. Smells of dark chocolate and charred malt, but not at a very strong level. Tastes much more solidly of dark chocolate and charred malt than the nose had implied, but not much more complexity than the nose had implied either. Medium body and carbonation levels. Pretty average as far as porters go IMHO.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 20:57:16 | More by WastingFreetime

Tuey13

Illinois

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

Pours from the bottle midnight black with a small tan head that dissipates rather quickly.
The smell is roasted malt, dark chocolate, and coffee.. I also detect a little black licorice and vanilla as well... Smells wonderful!
The taste is robust indeed with a great roastinrss and dark bitter chocolate and coffee. I do taste a little caramel sweetness with a little hop flavors on the back end. Very rich and velvety feel also.
This is a very drinkable medium body porter.. Not to strong with a great taste. I would drink this more if not limited.
I always love Big Sky and get a kick out of their labels. ;)

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 01:15:20 | More by Tuey13

emerge077

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle dated "050212" on the neck, also "limited release".

Jet black with dark brown edges, sturdy cap of creamy mocha stained foam. Head retention is good, and random arcs of lace stick to the glass.

Mild creamy coffee and dark chocolate notes in the aroma.

Some roasty char, and dry bitterness from the roast, nicely medium bodied and porterish. Lingering earthy roast and mellow coffee traces. Light to medium carbonation, smooth feel. Overall pretty nice, just about what you'd expect a good robust porter to be.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 00:11:36 | More by emerge077

TheSixthRing

California

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a near midnight black with brown edging. Head is minimal, 1/2 finger, and retention is poor. Resulting lace is average, but semi-sticky.

Smell - Faint notes of roasted malt, toffee and a touch of hop.

Taste - Follows the nose. Roasted malt, with coffee, caramel and toffee notes. Hops come through as mild citrus.

Mouthfeel - Light for a porter, if not a tad watery. Carbonation is decent, leaving a crisp bite on the lips and tongue. Finishes semi-dry.

Overall - Didn't impress me at first, but grew on me as it warmed. One of the better Big Sky brewery beers for sure.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 08:25:16 | More by TheSixthRing

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Phelps for this generous extra. I believe this is my first Montana beer. Looks the part for sure, opaque black, small brownish head that settles down slowly, nice creamy looking lacing on the glass. Aroma is roasty, malty, touches of char, coffee, bittersweet chocolate, all of the expected porter notes.

Very tasty as well, really taking the robust part of the beer seriously. Big and aggressively flavored; espresso coffee and crème, roasted, charred malt, bitter chocolate, hints of floral hops underneath. Caramel, molasses, earthiness, vanilla, perhaps a hint of a mineral note.

Medium bodied and carbonated with a very smooth and creamy feel. Semi-dry finish has a touch of lingering sticky sweetness that’s very appealing. Quite good overall.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 16:51:46 | More by tobelerone

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

pours dark and clear, primarily coffee black, but with just a tiny hint of amber in there. decent white head but it fades in time. smell isnt quite as "robust" as the name suggests it might be. notes of dark roast coffee and semisweet cocoa. flavor is similar, with the roasty character of the malt taking center stage. still, its not robust in the way i had envisioned. this might be a better porter under a different name with a different set of expectations. feel was a touch on the thin side for me, but overall it was fine. medium body with average carbonation. drinkable and strong on the abv front. not a bad beer at all, but i dont think it lives all the way up to its name.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 23:35:53 | More by StonedTrippin

spicelab

Australia

3.65/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle thanks to Beermasons.

Dark chocolate pour, near jet black in the glass. Moderately dense mocha head falls without lacing to a slight ring and film.

Refined roastiness gives nice smoky overtones to the aromas. Lots of coffee, liquorice and vegemite. Underneath are plums, cherries and brandied raisins, with some hazelnut and chocolate rounding it out.

Flavours follow the nose very closely. At times tarry roast becomes a bit overbearing.

Medium, moderately creamy body with deceptively hidden carbonation. Finishes dry with a clean roasty bitterness that goes on and on.

Solidly constructed porter that emphasises roastiness over sweetness. Not overly complex, but virtually nothing out of place.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 04:54:53 | More by spicelab

EricCioe

Montana

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

One of six beers at a five person blind porter tasting including: Anchor Porter, Big Sky Bobo's Robust Porter, Deschutes Black Butte, Harvest Moon Pigs Ass Porter, Samuel Smith Taddy, and Sierra Nevada Porter. All of these are shelf beers in Montana.

This poured almost black with slight brown highlights and the darkest head of the evening. On the nose there is a very pleasant roasted malt note, with bare hints of dark chocolate behind. In the mouth those simple flavors dominate and intermix well. The body is medium and this one has the longest finish of the night.

Overall, I was very pleasantly surprised with this beer. I knew this one was going to be among those listed but expected Black Butte to beat it handily. Not so, as this ended up the clear, unanimous winner for all five of us. I had a couple of six packs of this one over the winter and enjoyed it quite a bit. The 2011/2012 batch was better than the 2010/2011 batch, and word is that the recipe was changed just a little bit. If you haven't had this recently, give it a try again. This is getting towards the top end of the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 19:48:07 | More by EricCioe

denver10

Colorado

3.79/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours black with a nice khaki head. A rich aroma of dark chocolate, coffee, and malt. Flavor matched the aroma quite well, quite rich without being too sweet. Chocolate malt on display and a touch of roastiness. A nice creamy, medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, quite liked this one a lot. Not the most complex or layered beer out there but certainly enjoyable abd worth a try for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2012 04:07:51 | More by denver10

Mitchster

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

$1.79 for a 12oz bottle @ BevCo. Brewed with pale, crystal, chocolate, brown, black and roasted malts. Hopped with East Kent Goldings and Challenger. 6.2% ABV, 32 IBU's.

Pours out to a clear very dark brown, near black, forming a nice medium tan head with average retention and good lacing. Carbonation is moderate. The aroma is rich and very nice, with a very nice blend of dark fruits, espresso, black walnut, carob, vanilla and a touch of sour milk when swirled. Mouthfeel is very nice...a pleasant acidity, a touch of chalk, and a smooth medium body. The taste is a recap of the aroma...a very nice balance of roasted malts with a lingering sweetness in the aftertaste mixed with some grassy green hops. The hops contribute some sharp green and leafy acidity in the finish which is a little off. Bitterness is mild but well balanced against the rich roasted malts. What makes it robust is the amount of chocolate and black malts in here.

Overall, a nice porter, but I would have liked it more with less flavor and aroma hops, less black patent malt, and a bit more pale malt. Yummy. I would still buy it again. Similar to Southern Tiers if you happen to like theirs.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 23:55:58 | More by Mitchster

dbossman

Nebraska

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Dark, dark brown hue with a huge light brown head; lacing is good

S: Roasty chocolate malts with subtle pepper, anise, vanilla, coffee, and dark fruit undertones; this smells great

T: So much dark fruit, coffee, chocolate, and roasty and grainy flavors--this is a really nice robust porter

F: Big body for a porter and extremely creamy

O: This is a fine beer; one of my favorites from this brewery--truly what a robust porter should be

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 02:15:23 | More by dbossman

ADZA

Australia

3.35/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle courtesy from beermasons and pours a dark black hue which leaves a two finger coffee laced two finger head and sporadic lacing,the smell is cocoa nibs,dark chocolate,coffee and dark fruits,the mouthfeel is just over light bodied and sesionable but i was hoping for a little thicker with tastes of cocoa nibs,dark cherries,herbal hops,raisins,milky chocolate and finished just like a nice milky coffee and overall its nice but lacks in some departments cheers.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 08:59:03 | More by ADZA

Lawl3ss

Texas

3.3/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Lightly chilled 12 oz. bottle poured into a stemless tulip pint. Best-by date on bottle 5.23.12.

Look- Pours a dark ruby brown with three fingers of loose beige foam. Decent retention, modest amount of webby lace.

Smell- Sweet cocoa, some booze, and burnt grain. Mild toffee/floury aroma comes out on the swirl. Overly sweet, but appealing nonetheless.

Taste- Dominated by dark chocolate, espresso grounds, and burnt grains. Not much else, in fact. Finishes a bit lighter, with a bit of vanilla and charred marshmallow. Aftertaste is akin to day-old coffee dregs and shows a hint of that flour-doused toffee I sensed in the aroma. Not as sweet as the nose led me to believe. Bold, but too heavy on the roasted/burnt flavors.

Mouthfeel- Light-bodied for the style, mild carbonation. A bit watery, finishes with a mild bite and lingering astringeny. Drinks like sludgy coffee.

Overall- Decent, but a bit heavy-handed with the heavy roast flavors. The body is also a bit light, but the price point is more than decent. I'd pick it up again, but not as a regular thing.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 00:15:05 | More by Lawl3ss

Mora2000

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a dark brown to black color with a small tan head. The aroma has a ton of roasted malt and chocolate notes, with a hint of mint thrown in. The flavor is more of the same. I get a lot of chocolate malt, but what really stands out is the heavily roasted/burnt malt. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 03:44:26 | More by Mora2000

Scotchboy

Idaho

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

12oz bottle poured into a Widmer pint glass.

A: Dark, opaque but relatively thin...decent amount of light tan head.

S: Roasty, coffee and chocolate, burnt notes, dark malt, caramel. 'Robust'.

T: Pleasant roasted notes and medium bitterness; mocha, chocolate, hints of espresso, earthy burnt caramel, lots of malt...definite chocolate aftertaste.

MF: Medium bodied, lower carbonation, solid mouthfeel with the coffee-like bitterness and dryness.

O: Pleasantly surprised, didn't know what to expect on this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 14:50:03 | More by Scotchboy

HopHead84

California

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

4/1/2012

Snifter

A: Black body with a substantial light brown head. Nice retention and lots of lacing.

S: Very roasty with black malts, earth, and a light burnt note. Chocolate is pronounced and it's accompanied by grain and a light coffee note. Caramel is faint.

T: Rich chocolate flavor with mellow roasted grains, a little caramel, and a dash of coffee. Upper low level of earthy bitterness. The finish is smooth with ample chocolate.

M: Upper medium body with upper medium carbonation.

Overall: A well done Robust Porter. Not a beer geek's wet dream of a style, but this checks all the boxes for the style and I really can't fault it.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 23:49:28 | More by HopHead84

superspak

Michigan

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

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, best by 4/11/2012. Pours clear cery dark brown color with a nice 1-2 finger dense tan head with good retention that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Some nice spotty lacing on the glass. Aromas of big chocolate, caramel, roasted malt, light coffee, and herbal hops. Nice and well balanced aromas with good strength. Taste of big chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, caramel, and herbal hops. Fair amount of coffee bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, caramel, and herbal hops on the finish for a bit. Very nice flavor balance. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and smooth mouthfeel. Alcohol is well hidden with hardly any warming noticed. Very easy to drink as expected for 6.2%. Overall this is a damn nice and straightforward robust porter. Great flavor balance and very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 05:59:46 | More by superspak

BigRedN

Nebraska

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Poured from the 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. The beer is very dark brown, near black. Pour produces a thick brown head about 3/4 inch in height. Head slowly fades to a solid covering that leaves some patchy lacing.

Smell: Roasted malt aromas spring forth from the glass. Roasted barley, scent of roasted coffee and nuts, hint of dark chocolate. Nothing really smells hop-related, but that's ok.

Taste: Falls in line with the scent of the beer and is true to the style. Starts with rich malt flavors, from beginning to middle. Then finishes with a little bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Not too heavy, definitely not watery, nearly full bodied.

Overall: This beer is a wonderful porter. Good on a cool evening, better on a cold night. Purchased a 6 pack for $7.99, it was well worth it and recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 03:53:34 | More by BigRedN

jbphoto88

Texas

3.43/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A good looking start to Bobo's as it is a deep mahogany brown approaching black. The beer just looks rich and decadent. The head is milk chocolate colored and has a decent amount of lasting ability and lacing.

The nose is a slight step back in robustness contrary to the appearance. There are notes of roasted grains, coffee and dark chocolate but muted in a fizzy kind of way.

Taste follows the same pattern but edges out the nose barely... which is a good thing. The chocolaty, roasted grains are the dominating flavors as the coffee fades into the finish. A tasty brew but not something I'd put in the "robust" category.

Mouthfeel is on the dry side of things with a firm carbonation bite and a bitterness that's reminiscent of burnt coffee stirred with a cheap chocolate bar. A good beer but an average porter. Worth checking out but this is nothing to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 00:10:38 | More by jbphoto88