French roasted coffee intensity seeps into creamy cappuccino milking, mild espresso continuance, and bittersweet vanilla bean uprising. Syrupy dark chocolate center deepens hop-charred cola nut, walnut, and macadamia sharpness. Tingly bourbon-rum boozing underscores full-blown coffee-burnt finish.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: OTTER CREEK BREWING, MIDDLEBURY, VT.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: STONE BREW. CO., SAN DIEGO, CA.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Respectable Stone-Maui brewery collaboration brings oaken hop-charred grain-toasted coffee theme to fruited nut midst of silken soft-toned Imperial Strong Porter. Milk chocolate-y vanilla pleasantry secures toasted coconut, macadamia, and almond illusions as well as tertiary molasses cookie, green raisin, and red grape undertones. Understated cappuccino whimper and burgundy-rum tease get watered down at bustling mocha finish.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Respectable mahogany-bodied crimson-highlighted coffee-roasted porter retains bittersweet hop-charred cocoa bean richness. Chewy molasses-like dark chocolate center girds mocha latte, vanilla, and licorice illusions. Thick tar-like finish deepens bitterness and maximizes robustness.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: TWO BROTHERS BREW. CO., WARRENVILLE, IL.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Penetrating lactose-aided Baltic porter with bold stout-like character (and concealed 9.2% alcohol fervor) boasts outstanding hop-charred molasses-soaked coffee bean theme. Creamy vanilla, espresso, and cappuccino illusions outlast milky black chocolate-y respite and roasted walnut-hazelnut remnant. On par with the finest caffeine-doused java brews.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: ATWATER BLOCK BREWERY, DETROIT, MI.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Musty coffee bean sourness, dry Baker’s chocolate prompt, and flimsy vanilla extract fray shun creamy thickness for oily murk. Mismatched oaken grape esters bring leathery acidity to faint soy waver and drab pipe tobacco illusion.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: ANDERSON VALLEY BREW. CO., MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Lovely silken mahogany porter brings early chocolate-cinnamon pinch to toasted barley-oat and roasted coffee moderation. Dry nut and piney resin affirm burnt wood backdrop as earthy hops conceal fig-date spell. On tap, creamy milk chocolate-y ice coffee deepness and plush hazelnut-walnut respite darkened by charcoal nip.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: ATLANTIC BREW. CO., PORTLAND, ME.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Spectacularly robust charcoal-stained full body pours ebony with ruby-maroon highlights. Dry coffee bean frontage yields to boisterous dark chocolate bitterness thickening hop-roasted toasted oat spine. Glancing walnut coarseness sways black tar finish, yet despite rigid frothy density, clean-watered flow thaws dusky adjuncts.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: AVERY BREW CO., BOULDER, CO.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Terrific ruby-brown-hued dry-hopped lactose porter mounts loud chocolate-toffee profile atop caramel pecan buttering and cookie dough intimation. Roasted coffee-nut coarseness increases frothy mocha depth and earthy peat tinge to smoked grain finish.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: BALLAST POINT BREW. CO., SAN DIEGO, CA.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Creamy crimsoned mahogany lactose porter guides honeyed oats waft towards creamy black chocolate frontage and buttery vanilla backdrop. Oily hops embitter roasted barleymalts, securing receded blackstrap molasses, burnt toast, charred wood, and earthen peat illusions. Sweet milky lactose texture, chewy chocolate liqueuer spell, and sinister cappuccino finish are saving grace.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: KALAMAZOO BREW. CO., KALAMAZOO, MI.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Dry mocha bitterness and ashy oak tones consume nutty coffee-cappuccino invigoration. Sour black chocolate malts addle mild molasses finish. Just needs sharper overall fortitude.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: BERKSHIRE BREW. CO., SOUTH DEERFIELD, MA.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Intriguingly robust mahogany-hued tan-headed porter preserves deeply embittered single-minded coffee bean roast from tongue-tip to bottom-throat. Chocolate latte illusion proffers burnt caramel, maple, and hazelnut supplement, sheltering heavy java thickness, off-dry toasted hop subtlety, and creamy vanilla retreat for impeccable black coffee alternative.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: BIG CITY BREWERY, NEW YORK, N.Y.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Dark brown-hued porter gets ice coffee theme. Crisp-watered chocolate notes lack creamy richness, upsetting established drinkers looking for more robust fare.