Nefarious Ten Pin Imperial Porter - Ska Brewing Co.

benito

Oregon

2.2/5  rDev -42.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

From the wax-topped bottle, this poured a midnight black with a good, slightly tan head. The aroma was a light cocoa with a hint of coffee: a very restrained bouquet that made me wonder just how strong this would prove to be. Restraint characterizes the taste which my friend (who was also trying it) described as "water with an aftertaste of porter." The cocoa flavor was distinct and present, but lacking was the characteristic robustness of a classic porter. This was light (read: watery) in body and offered little for my mouth to chew on.

For a bomber offering, this is a disappointingly weak beer. Not recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2005 17:34:27 | More by benito

BeerBelcher

Ohio

2.3/5  rDev -39.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

I was not very impressed with this beer. I think including the word "imperial" in a beer raises my expectations, and this beer didn't really meet those. I didn't find this beer to be particularly roasty, but it did offer a fair amount of cereal and malt-ball flavor (although not to the degree of some maibocks or doppel-bocks) which I don't particularly care for nor do I think is especially appropriate for this style.

Appearance was what you might expect for a porter, as it was black and had a significant amount of tan head. Aroma was a bit cerealy with moderate amounts of dark roasty smell. Flavor was not great - not roasty and flavor was dominated by cerealness and milk-ball flavors that I found unappealing and felt were inappropriate for a porter. Mouthfeel was a bit thinner than I expected, but this beer was by no means watery.

Not really recommended. There are far better imperial stouts, baltic porters, and American strong ales out there to try.

I bought this bottle at Liquor Mart in Boulder when visiting CO to attend the Great American Beer Fest. I brought it back to Milwaukee in my wooden leg and split this bottle with Surly Sober.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2007 01:13:30 | More by BeerBelcher

Jeffo

Netherlands

2.68/5  rDev -30%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Another interesting brew from boatshoes. Thanks again man!

From a bomber into a snifter.

APPEARANCE: A dark brown and transparent pour yields a two finger, overly noisy and crackling tan head with surprisingly good retention. Dark brown in color, almost black, with lots of carbonation for the style. Head slowly fades to a good wisp and ring and coats the sides of the glass with lace. Lots of carbonation decorates the top of the brew. Despite the annoying head and higher levels of carbonation, the lacing down the glass looks quite good and saves this one a bit.

SMELL: Big nose for sure. Dark malts, caramel malt, with a good dose of dark fruit. Raisins, dates and some spicy notes show up as well, with some obvious smoked malts in there. This one reminds me more of a Belgian strong dark ale than a porter. It’s nice, but not to style at all really.

TASTE: Not what I’d expected at all. This is definitely an imperial porter in name only. Dark malts are there with some light caramel as well, but lots of dark fruits ransack the mid palate. Raisins, dates, and a light spicy yeast quality shows up as well. The finish is fruity, and the spicy yeast really piles it on. The bold and lingering aftertaste is spicy, fruity, with a touch of caramel, dark malts, and a hint of chocolate bitterness. There are some porter qualities in there, but the Belgian strong dark ale characteristics are much more dominant.

PALATE: Medium body and medium-low levels of carbonation. Not creamy really, but goes down smooth and finishes slightly sticky as well. A touch of alcohol at the swallows, which wasn’t expected for the abv.

OVERALL: Surprisingly enough, I actually quite liked this. It was flavorful, complex, and quite fun to pick appart. It is, however, hard to score a good beer that completely trashes the style. This was an imperial porter in name only, and can be more accurately described as a Belgian strong dark ale with some porter influences. Hence the average score in smell and taste. One I would drink again, but would definitely avoid if I was looking for a porter. Thanks again boatshoes. This was an interesting and fun brew to drink.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2011 13:03:19 | More by Jeffo

match1112

Illinois

2.68/5  rDev -30%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

when i poured this i thought i was pouring a pepsi. has that cola colored body with a short whispy head that fizzes out. smell is below average for a porter, let alone an imperial one. i gotta try real hard to find anything in there, but sure enough there is some roasted aromas. taste is pretty weak as well for an imperial. mostly over roasted malts with some liquid smoke added. has a medium body with less than average carbonation and a dry smokey finish. will not buy again or recommend anybody else buys either.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 03:58:37 | More by match1112

homebrew311

Illinois

2.8/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into New Holland tulip.

A: deep brown/black with some light brown highlight, white head with a little bit of lacing

S: big deep cocoa and molasses notes, smells slightly sweet with big time bitterness from the cocoa notes, a touch of hops in there too

T: chocolate, molasses and oat start the palate out, but it quickly thins out and become a sweet metallic and slightly acidic flavor. This could be due to a bit a oxidization. The flavor start out nice but then become unpleasant.

MF: thin body for style, medium carbonation

O: this beer is average for the style. I have no information about the bottle date of this bottle, but it seems to be dated a bit.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2011 04:12:43 | More by homebrew311

kbutler1

Minnesota

2.9/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Bottle. Picked this one up at Binny's while I was in Chicago. Pours a deep brown like cola with a very slight light tan head. Sweet light coffee like aromas in the nose with maybe a touch of vanilla. Sweet toffee like flavor followed by a light roast like coffee flavor. A little sweet. Kind of surprised this is an Imperial by the mouthfeel, way too light in my opinion. Medium mouthfeel. A very blah beer. Nothing really all that great in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2010 14:35:42 | More by kbutler1

womencantsail

California

2.9/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Thanks for sharing, Rich.

Pours dark brown in color with a small khaki head. Not an overly impressive nose. Despite being watery, it displays an impressive amount of metal and an acrid roastiness. A little bit of chocolate and maybe a hint of coffee. The flavor is not quite as metallic, but the flavor is similarly lackluster. Some old chocolate and a little bit of coffee to go with the roasted malt and bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 01:44:35 | More by womencantsail

blakelive784

Colorado

2.95/5  rDev -23%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

1 pt 6 fl oz waxed bottle served in a pint glass, reviewed live:

A - Pours a nearly black color with a tan 1 finger head. The head is decently thick, but retention is pretty bad, even considering the abv.

S - Roasted barley, smoke, cream, faint coffee and some light spice. A mild aroma (maybe too mild).

T - Follows the nose closely. Roasted malt foundation with artificial smoke, some cream, plum and evident, spicy alcohol. The balance is totally skewed in this one. Not built too well. I have to ask: Why deviate so much from the original Ten Pin?

M - Medium bodied, slick and wet. Even if the flavors were there this body couldn't support it.

D - An inferior offering, even to the original. I won't be having this again, especially when the original Ten Pin is better. Simple, unbalanced, and the ABV is entirely too present.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 22:33:06 | More by blakelive784

biglite351

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - a lot of red around the edges. Tall creamy off-white head that leaves some lacing.

S - malts and hops. Something like caramel. A little you h of bitter but not in a bad way.

T - bitter up front. Mild malts with some hop. Some sweetness in the finish.

M - good coating with a tingle on the sides.of the tongue and top of mouth.

D - too bitter for more than one.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 02:40:23 | More by biglite351

goodbyeohio

Oregon

3.08/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

thanks mark, this might have been the last of my gifts (except for the big one).

DARK- see thru corners with blood red highlights. cappuccino foam floats and an magical portal-like haze exists on the surface. dive in! nose of mocha chocolate grain silo is both appealing and average in porter terms.. nice butterscotch note keeps it interesting. clean with nothing astringent. light body with chalky baking cocoa bitterness, hop shock and alcohol burn in the finish. husk aftertaste with dirt mixed in.. earthiness isn't all bad but this could be alot smoother to compliment its thinner side body. decent but not the best of the ska line.. eh.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2005 23:03:55 | More by goodbyeohio

DragonsDeath

Texas

3.08/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had to try this after having Ska Brewing's Decadent I.P.A
Serving Wax sealed 22oz dinner bottle fridge temperature poured into 16oz pilsner glass.

A.Poured very dark almost black coffee color, no head or lacing to follow.

S. Smoke, coffee, and a hint of chocolate.

T. Rich dark coffee, kind of smokey.

M. Medium bodied, not much carbonation, smooth going down.

O. This Porter is not bad to have finished off the day with.
Was easy going down, and doesn't leave to bitter of an after taste.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 06:57:56 | More by DragonsDeath

nick76

Florida

3.2/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The aroma is good for the style with coffee, chocolate, and roasted malts. The appearance is dark brown with a light tan head. The flavor is like the aroma but has a bit of vegetables. The palate is thin for the style and the finish is bitter. Overall not a great strong porter.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2009 11:16:48 | More by nick76

MABZ

Nebraska

3.23/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

For a beer that touts the name Imperial, this is quite a weak brew. It looks decent. Not quite opaque brownish black with a nice fluffy off-white head that settles out to a stadium pour in a matter of minutes.

The beer smells like cheap malt with a thin hint of chocolate and an even thinner hint of roast. There is a little bit of a hop profile in the back, but this beer almost smells like foul tap water.

The taste is not much better. Sweet and chocolatey up front, dry and roasty in the back. The finish has a bit of a smoked peat and earthy nuttiness to it, but it doesn't taste much heavier than your run of the mill porter, if at all.

The body is very thin and flat. This is fairly low of the drinkability scale in so many ways. Nice try Ska, but this is no imperial porter.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2006 06:32:52 | More by MABZ

gmcfarre

Colorado

3.23/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

22 oz bottle poured into imperial pint glass

A - Pours a deep, dark brown color with a very respectable 2 inch light tan colored head. Head lasts well and creates beautiful lacing as it slowly retreats.

S - Dark, sweet fruits like fig, plum and raisin abound. Very roasted, slightly earthy with a decent amount of alcohol spice. Some molasses adds to the sweetness.

T - Starts sweet with the above dark fruit flavors: mainly fig with some raisin and plum. Strong alcoholic warmth comes on along with a strong roasted, peat-y flavor. Alcohol spice is chief in the finish.

M - Very dry and roasted with a medium body. Mild carbonation.

D - Overall, the alcohol seems a bit too strong in flavor where it should be better disguised. Maybe worth picking up if you're curious, but otherwise I'm sure there are better "imperial" porters out there.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2009 02:04:39 | More by gmcfarre

UTCengOwl

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Saw this at Mr. G's for $6.50. Figured that for the price, it wouldn't be a bad pickup. I like things from Colorado and I thought Modus Hoperandi was ok so I picked this up. Probably won't do it again. Served in a Great Divide balloon glass... maybe a bit warmer than I should have.

The beer pours with a bit of a thin tan head. Meh on that, but at least the body is solidly dark. Somewhat redeeming, but the beer still looks lifeless to me.

The nose... damn... solventy. Hothothot. Having a hard time finding much else other than booze. I'd like some non-boozy depth, please.

The taste is better. Smoky. Some sweetness. Drying hoppiness. Kind of slick on the tongue. Still a bit thin and dry from what I'd look for, but not bad.

How did the nose become so offensive? Whatever it was, the nose prevented me from enjoying this beer. Don't think I'll pick this up again.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 23:29:32 | More by UTCengOwl

Mayhem976

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A- Pours black but as I hold it to the light you can see traces of brown, it's got a small to medium sized light brown head. Hardly any presence of lacing.

S- Pretty good amount of oak is what hits me at first, not over the top but you can smell some oak in this porter. Smells like a barley wine.

T- Once again the flavor that hits me is oak, I also taste a tad bit of bitter coffee and bit of malt.

M- This is a medium body porter, well in comparison to other imperial porters that is.

D- It's an above average porter, nothing stands out, it's just a descent all around flavor. I like a porter or stout to somewhat kick me in the stomach as it hits my palate. I paid 6.99 for a bomber, for that price I would expect more, the same company makes a Merlot Stout at the same price that's amazing. I will not be picking up another one of these.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2009 02:59:12 | More by Mayhem976

codewarrior

New York

3.28/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Capped and waxed 22oz bomber into an imperial pint glass

L: Pitch black with lots and lots and lots of head. Good retention, and globular lacing.

S: Sweet malt up front with a hefty dose of iron in the back. Given the fact that no other raters have mentioned a metallic flavor, I'm thinking this batch might be contaminated.

T: A goodly sweetness up front into a bitter middle. Finish is a bit funk and a lot of iron. After finish I get a hint of grapes.

F: Good amount of carbonation, and about the right thickness.

D: Good drinking, but not great tasting.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2010 15:11:14 | More by codewarrior

robwestcott

Indiana

3.3/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

big thanks to the trader (wish i remembered who) that sent this one my way. cool arse label and i'm hoping this one is indeed a baltic porter as the style is noted here at BA.

poured cold and black from the bottle to a founders brewing goblet with no head whatsoever. hmmm..., a few big bubbles around the edges, but no head, wonder if this one has lost its carbonation, or if this is as intended ?

aroma of dark fruits and perhaps a bit of roasty chocolate malts in the way back.

a wee bit of coffee and interesting ripening dark fruits. i'm not a big fan of the dark fruit stouts, but this is an interesting near take on the style. going to let it warm up a bit and take another go at it.

very little carbonation, though not quite flat as a pancake, super sweet, smooth. a little carbonation and we'd be good to go on this one.

overall - interesting, sweeter than expected, the low carb is killing this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2011 00:26:54 | More by robwestcott

yeahnatenelson

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance -- Pours a deep brown with one finger of sudsy dark khaki head

Smell -- Cocoa, malted milk, coffee and cream, raisin, sweet cherries. Overall: bittersweet, very aromatic.

Taste -- Lots of bitter char and earthy bittering hops, coffee grounds, baker's chocolate, tart cherry, raisin, a little bit of caramel sweetness to round out. Finish is earthy hops, cocoa, and char.

Mouthfeel -- Just a touch lighter than medium-bodied, slick, ample prickly carbonation. More body would be preferable, but it's good.

Drinkability -- I wouldn't put it in my list of favorites for the style, but a person could could do worse than this porter. Alcohol is well-hidden and there are some big roast flavors, but the tart and bitter flavors become fatiguing at a point and leave the flavor profile a little flat.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2010 19:57:47 | More by yeahnatenelson

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance- Pours a "brown shoes don't make it" dark brown mixed with a light atn head of mild retention. Was disappointed when no foam was left on the inside of the glass.

Smell- Light hopping for an imperial porter or baltic porter. Also a little bland in the roasted, lightly smoked malt department.

Taste- A good mix between the hop and malt flavors in this beer. The bitterness mixed with the savory, yet mild sweetness of the roasted malts.

Mouthfeel- Left a wet feeling on the palate with the blance of flavors. Had good staying power to savor and analyze and enjoy the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2006 01:56:44 | More by scruffwhor

scooter231

New York

3.35/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Picked this fellow up while visiting New Mexico- the blue waxed sealing had me at hello. As did Nefarious- I HAD to try it. This fellow pours a completely pitch brown dark opaque, with some lovely tannish head that disappears quickly, and leaves little lacing, but some poofy swirls on top. This guy means business.

Smell is sweet, alcohol-y sweet, with some definite prune and raisin notes, and a hint of malty breadyness. Some milk chocolate sneaks in near the end. Definitely a sweet smelling guy.

Bitter coffee flavors hit you first, followed by chocolate, malts, and another hit of bitter espresso type flavors. Definitely reminiscent of yoohoo, with some bitterness and, of course, alcohol thrown in. This could be cloyingly, annoyingly sweet, but the bitterness evens it out a little. Still, it's a bit unbalanced.

Mouthfeel is decent, but a little watery for my tastes. And the suds are a bit soapy feeling.

Overall, it's not shabby, but I definitely prefer other baltic porters to this one. Still... don't pass it up. Give it a try!

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2009 04:49:14 | More by scooter231

jrallen34

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I drank this from a 22oz bomber into my Orval glass.

The beer is a very dark brown, hint of blackness to it. The head is a super light tan that disappointly only rises about a quarter ince and is gone quickly. The lacing is light.

The aroma is pretty light. It starts off malty with a little sweet chocolate and vanilla. The finish is a little bitter coffee.

The taste is also super light in taste. Almost totally dead to start with a coffee bitter finish.

The feel is super light, not to my liking for this type of beer.

Its easy to drink, but why would you?

Overall, too light and boring.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2010 01:19:22 | More by jrallen34

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

thanks to hopdog for unleashing this much anticipated bottle...
Appears a dark brown with a 3 finger tan head. Lots of chunky lacing is left all around the glass.
The smell is of heavy dosages of lactic chocolate, fruit, and a touch of coffee.
Taste is of smooth lacto sugared chocolate, light caramel, and some fruit and coffee.
Mouthfeel is overcarbonated, sweet and lactic.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2006 23:55:50 | More by weeare138

ronniebruner

Arizona

3.38/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Typical run of the mill porter. A strong darker color, same ol smooth feel. Nothing too special here, but if you get a chance, check it out. The best thing I can say about this beer is the brown hued color and nice bottling. You can taste the hard work put into this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2010 04:01:57 | More by ronniebruner

jsh420

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

pours dark dark brown with a 2 finger head that left lacing all down the glass

smell - not much here some fruit and chocolate but very faint

taste is ok to good - sweet dark fruits along with a chalky ash bitter chocolate taste

mouthfeel is very light for a imperial porter good carbonation maybe too much

drinkability - @8% there are many porters i would rather drink - doubt i ever buy this again

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2009 05:50:19 | More by jsh420