Stone Fence Porter (Farmhouse Brewing)
Coast Range Brewing Co.

Stone Fence Porter (Farmhouse Brewing)Stone Fence Porter (Farmhouse Brewing)
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From:
Coast Range Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American Porter
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.78 | pDev: 10.32%
Reviews:
17
Ratings:
18
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 15, 2012
Added:
Jan 13, 2006
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
Checkout http://farmhousebrewing.com for more.
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Rated: 3.75 by t0rin0 from California

Nov 15, 2012
Photo of orbitalr0x
Reviewed by orbitalr0x from Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22oz bomber into my glass a solid black with dark brown edges and a tan cap. No lacing on this one. Aromas of cocoa, some dark fruits, prunes and a touch of molasses. Quite roasty with a light smoky undertone. Pleasant.

First sip brings a nice roasted malt with intermixing notes of cocoa powder, dark fruits, caramel and some burnt sugar flavors as well. Light coffee on the way down along with a hint of bitterness. Good balance overall. Slightly dry on the end.

Mouthfeel is smooth and on the lighter side with fast moving carbonation. Goes down easily enough. Overall, a pretty solid, robust porter that's easily drinkable. Doesn't go out of its way to amaze me, but ends up being a nicely made brew.
Jan 24, 2008
Photo of beerphan
Reviewed by beerphan from Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
22oz brown bomber -> pint
no date

Pours out mostly black with a dense pulsating tan head. Some sticky tight lines of powdered lace.

Nose: Cocoa, some dark fruit,

Thin quick mouth that tries to be creamy but just a tad thin to pull it off. Slides down malty, with hints of chocolate, coffee. Finishes with a tad of chalkiness, and a little crisp bitterness.

Got this bomber for half off at 3 sons. Must be an older bottle, though it has held up pretty well.
Nov 07, 2007
Photo of ChainGangGuy
Reviewed by ChainGangGuy from Georgia

3.38/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a black body with a thin, khaki-colored head.

Smell: Roasted barley aroma with a rich dark chocolate quality. Hints of anise and fainter still is a soft whiff of tobacco.

Taste: The flavor is predominantly roasty, with only a very subtle sweetness. Sadly, there's far less chocolate in the taste than the nose led me to believe. More of the anise and tobacco leaves. Extremely light hint of fruit prior to the chalky finish with a light lingering bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Fairly mild carbonation, with an overall soft mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Not nearly as dull or dreary as the Winslow Homer-esque painting on the label would have you believe.
Sep 30, 2007
Photo of Gueuzedude
Reviewed by Gueuzedude from Arizona

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
As I pour this beer, the stream shows a clear, deep, reddish, dark chocolate brown color, but it sits in the glass an almost black color. The head is a light brown to dark brown colored head that starts out at about two-fingers in height. The aroma smells of a lightly chocolate accented mocha, a dry toasted biscuit or cracker like malt aroma. This has a typical dark malt driven, Porter nose to it that captures the essence of a Porter well.

Almost creamy-like, with a medium heft to it that coats the mouth with a lightly sticky malt character. Dark, burnt fruit notes of figs, prunes and perhaps some raisin notes add some complexity and are accentuated by the malt derived sweetness. Reminiscent of something like a chocolated coated malt-ball that has a powdered espresso shell. The burnt malts contribute a sharp, yet light bitterness as well as a touch of tannic astringency and even a hint of acidity to the finish. At times the sweetness makes me think of caramel coated cherries, though the cherry notes are definitely quite muted. Perhaps it gets a bit too astringent from some roughly roasted American malts, but this is fairly minor.

This is a nice Porter, there is nothing that sets off as being particularly unique, but it is tasty and quite enjoyable. I would certainly be happy to have another.
Jul 10, 2007
Photo of stephendr
Reviewed by stephendr from California

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22 oz. bottle- color of almost black , with a thick dark tan head - nose of mocha cappuccino, some nuttyness , vanilla , and alcohol – taste of bitter sweet chocolate , malt , milky , and slightly roasted - body is smooth, but a little on the watery side, and with medium carbonation – aftertaste of slightly tart, and raspberries
Apr 23, 2007
Photo of blitheringidiot
Reviewed by blitheringidiot from Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Basic label with a farmhouse printed with stone fence porter.

Pours with a buh-lack zero light escaping hue topped with a settled khaki tan costing with a residual lace in the glass.

Delicate nose of fresh red grapes, some light toasted malt, and a dark fruit juice. Some sugary aspects. A tad thin on flavor and a tad thin on feel.

Carbonation is solid, but the feel is diluted and the finish is fast.

Last swigs: An ok porter that is quaffable but forgetable. More of a "dime-a-dozen" porter.
Feb 11, 2007
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

3.67/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a fairly black color with a dark tan head that leaves spots of lace that are not particularly impressive

Smell: Dark chocolate tones predominate with a touch of coffee bitterness

Taste: Dark chocolate through and through with a roasted coffee bitterness that appears just before the finish; in the middle and again, at the end, there is an odd phenolic plastic flavor that detracts from the overall effect

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to low carbonation

Drinkability: Pretty decent but I the plastic flavors are a flaw that is hard to overlook
Jan 30, 2007
Photo of objectivemonkey
Reviewed by objectivemonkey from Minnesota

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Into a tulip glass, pours a dark opaque black with a thick tan head that shinks to a bubbly film and some nice lacing. Aroma is thick but not complex, chocolate dominates, cocoa, smoky roasted malts, almost to a burnt quality, faint coffee hints. Taste is likewise, lots of rich and somewhat bittersweet chocolate with coffee notes and roasted malt, a faint hopping, lingering finish, really quite nice but like nose nothing outstanding. Mouth thickens as it warms, to a bit over medium bodied, particularly on the swallow, nicely carbonated.

Picked this up last March in San Fran, sat in the cellar since, so its done well in the 9+ months, a thoroughly drinkable porter, glad I hauled it back for sure. Would have liked to score it higher, but is just simply 'good.'
Jan 10, 2007
Photo of OStrungT
Reviewed by OStrungT from California

4.85/5  rDev +28.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This beer pours a very dark brown color, with a thin brown head. The head fades slowly, leaving a decent lacing.

This beer has a strong malty aroma. Burnt malts are very present. It has a very strong coffee aroma also. A slight chocolate aroma is present.

This beer has a strong coffee flavor. Wow, this beer is good. It has a slight chocolate flavor. It has a very sweet caramel malt flavor. I can taste the burnt malts very clearly.

This beer is very full bodoed. It goes down smooth, leaving a coffee like aftertaste. It is carbonated perfectly for the style.

I think this beer would make a decent session beer. The flavor is slightly aggressive, so it might get cloying, but it tastes great, and I think I could put down a few.

Overall: Wow, this is one of the best porters I have ever had. Everything is perfect about it. I will definately be buying this beer again. Many times.
Nov 06, 2006
Photo of bnutz
Reviewed by bnutz from California

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Poured very, very dark brown, almost black. The head was neither thin, nor really creamy; the bubbles medium small, and seemed to disappear after a few minutes.

I got a big rich whiff of cola, and coffee when I stuck my nose in the glass. So far, this looks to be one of the biggest porters I've had in a while!

...And it is! The cola and espresso contine on the palate and give way to a cocoa finish. More sips reaveal complexity, with dried fruits and nuts showing up. This is a big, satisfying brew. I can't wait for another one.
May 18, 2006
Photo of Jredner
Reviewed by Jredner from Florida

3.06/5  rDev -19%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A dissapointment compared to the Maduro Porter and even the Pumpernickel Porter. Low key aroma is roasted malt that hold some mild dark fruit accents. The body is dark brown to black with a thumb thick tan head that diminishes quickly. Fore is bitter coffe and chocolate with some sweeter aleish fruit notes. Finish is very thin and watery which ameliorates some of the bitterness, but then I don’t want that roasted bitterness lessed in a porter I want it accentuated.

The Maduro, Pumpernickel and Imperial Stouts by this brewery were all very well done. Just missed the mark here.
Apr 10, 2006
Photo of DogFood11
Reviewed by DogFood11 from California

3.63/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Easily managed pour forms a creamy tan head that leaves plenty of DNA on the way down, black body.

I got a good whiff of smoke, charred wood, coffee, chocolate. Creamy mouthfeel throughout till the finish when it drys out and then zaps ya with some astringent bitterness eventually mellowing back to a coffee like aftertaste. Very interesting product, certainly not on the run of the mill scale for a porter, this one jumps out of the box a bit with its high end charred bitterness.

Noes: Unique for a porter from what I've had so far. I haven't tried many products from Coast Range but if they are anything like this offering..I'm in.
Mar 18, 2006
Photo of studentofbeer
Reviewed by studentofbeer from California

4.19/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
lots of roast and some chalkiness in the nose (reminded me of guinness extra stout).

The beer itself is medium body (not overly thin like some porters, which really drives me nuts) and chock-full of great roasty burnt flavor (almost smoky) with some sweetness (milk chocolate, milk) and hops (they blend really well with the malt and roast, and don't stick out like in some beers, but you know they are there, too) balancing out in the end.

the only thing i could hope for is a bit more head retention since it faded to nothing really quickly, tho it looked very cask conditioned in my imperial pint. i notice others didn't have problems, so could be my glass or my particular bottle. The beer itself had just the right amount of carbonation. stout or porter? wish i knew. but it's a great beer!
Mar 15, 2006
Photo of TheLongBeachBum
Reviewed by TheLongBeachBum from California

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Presentation: 22ounce Bomber with a simple brass colored crown cap. Main label has a very dark simple rustic look to it. Labeled as ‘Farmhouse’, one of the new brands from Coast Range Brewing, the main label has a picture of a darkened old wooden Barn structure with the words ‘Stone Fence Porter’ on its pitched roof. Listed as; ‘robust porter’. Unlike the Saison 7, there is no declared strength on the label of the Stone Fence Porter, or even a freshness date for that matter.

Appearance: Dark brown when backlit with a rested black appearance when left alone. Tanned Cocoa color head that has a smooth creamy texture but an uneven rock-pool dimpled surface. The head gently slows and rests to a ¼” thick disc that eventually breaks when left for more than a few minutes, though the carbonation is enough to return the head to a full covering for a short time after each mouthful.

Nose: Sweet dark chocolate with sugared laden hot roasted coffee highlights. Gentle feint whiff of bitterness, like the kind you get from dark cooking chocolate.

Taste: Roasted malts rise in the middle with a lovely chocolate swirl that is rich and deep in the centerpiece. Cocoa and coffee proceed to entrance into the finish and leave a lovely lingering ending that has a delicate smooth bitterness to it.

Mouthfeel: Commences with a thin start but beefs up in the middle, only to teeter on a middling cum thin finish again. It’s a tasty brew and the feel is adequate and it is far from over the top yet at times feels just a little short of the line. As it warms it develops a molasses laden chewy feel in the middle that generates some depth in the finish and rescues a 4.0 from what looked like a nailed on 3.5 much earlier.

Drinkability: The Mouthfeel makes this one an easy going quaffer, the feel gets thinner with time but the lovely soft and smooth rich coffee finish is very forgiving of this shortcoming I feel. A few Bombers of this would not be too much of a problem I feel.

Overall: An enjoyable roasty-toasty dry coffee offering which is easy going. I’m no style junkie but I’d say that this is a weak Porter; it is much more of a Robust Stout….IMVHO. Good stuff, whatever you want to pigeon-hole you want to stick it in.
Mar 13, 2006
Photo of Zorro
Reviewed by Zorro from California

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear very dark brown almost black beer with a good light brown head.

Smell is sweet and very deeply roasted. Good chocolate and coffee aroma. Additional smells of piney hops and a little grapefruit.

Taste is mildly sweet with a good hit of chocolate and coffee right at the start. Mild bitterness comes in the finish a rather mild mannered porter.

Mouthfeel is good.

Very good beer here. This is a completely enjoyable beer that I can recommend despite who brews it.
Feb 26, 2006
Photo of germaniac
Reviewed by germaniac from California

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours dark, but light seeps in around the edges to reveal an amber glow. Head builds up at first, only to melt back down into a brownish film. Smells strongly of roasted malt, with a hint of sweetness that brings chocolate malt to mind. Bittersweet chocolate mingles with the taste of roasted malt and coffee, and a totally welcome hop bite preludes a smooth finish. Much better than the Maduro Porter.
Feb 09, 2006
Photo of Troyone
Reviewed by Troyone from California

4.05/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a dark color with an amber hue, little to no head, and difficult to see the carb action.

Has a dark roasted and molasses malt smell.

Lightly /mod sweet/acidic/bitter, molasses, and roasted (almost burnt) malt taste with some citrus hops in the flavor.

Full bodied, soft carb, and a smooth slightly astringent finish.

Very drinkable and well balanced Porter with a solid roasted malt aftertaste.
Jan 16, 2006
Stone Fence Porter (Farmhouse Brewing) from Coast Range Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 18 ratings