-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
ZÖET Chocolate Porter
Baraboo Brewing Company
- From:
- Baraboo Brewing Company
- Nebraska, United States
- Style:
- American Porter
- ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 81
- Avg:
- 3.39 | pDev: 10.32%
- Reviews:
- 7
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Aug 27, 2017
- Added:
- Dec 22, 2015
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 2
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Chaz:
Reviewed by Chaz from Minnesota
3.53/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Out of the bottle and into the totally-inappropriate glassware (Chimay!) this is an average looking American Porter: Dark brown in color, a darker tan head, and very good lacing as the head falls.
On second thought, I poured a solid head on that glass (convex, doncha know?) and it looked great in the glass; If I were served an "average" American Porter like this at an "average" American Taproom circa 2016 (5,000 breweries, now?) I'd be impressed. But nevermind that!
The nose is definitely better than average, and everything about the grain bill tells me they got out of this exactly what they wanted, based upon what they put into it: Chocolate malt, dark chocolate wheat malt, caramel malt... so the notes of cocoa and dark chocolate are plentiful. Lighter espresso and roast character as well, and a bit of dark fruit, anise... and a lighter sharpness/tang.
Confession time. I grabbed this bottle straight out a case of beer labeled "Mystery Box O' Beer", and since I'd never seen the crown (bottlecap) and I collect breweriana, well, I'm a sucker for tying anything once. And the bottle was ice-cold! It was sitting out on the veranda at the local watering hole (which ain't a bar -- long story right there) and I was about to b.s. with the gang and I grabbed it and proceeded to drink straight from the bottle... and it wasn't bad!
What the hell was this 'oddball microbrew' which ends up tasting much, much better than ya think it should, eh? Well, I (being me) busted-out my magnifying glass --I ain't no spring chicken-- and checked the label and sure as shit, the brewery over in Stevens Point is very good at what they do -- even when it comes to co-packaged (contract-brewed) beer. :)
So here I am the next morning, drinking it at near room temperature and yep, it's good.
Sweet and rather thin mouthfeel on the first sip, but with nice lingering bittersweet character and a dry-ish finish. Excellent roasted malt notes which linger as well.
The sweetness is reminiscent of a milk stout (sweet stout), but a bit less coating on the palate. The 'sharp / tang' from the nose helps to cut the sweetness (think: the acidity of sour cherry) and this is notable because this isn't a well-hopped/bitter beer, at all.
The focus on this is definitely on chocolate notes and character, and it works -- even better for me because while it is chocolatey and evocative of chocolate, it isn't brewed on cocoa nibs or anything like that, so it doesn't go over the top. I am not the biggest chocolate fan in the world, and that sort of thing is more often than not wasted on me, anyway.
Very good drinkability and the body (although some feel that porters should be very heavy and 'thick like a stout') is appropriate for what they're going for with this particular beer. To my mind it's at least as your average 'chocolate' beer (chocolate stouts, chocolate porters, and -- UGH!-- chocolate bocks) and better than quite a few that I've tried.
Jan 09, 2016On second thought, I poured a solid head on that glass (convex, doncha know?) and it looked great in the glass; If I were served an "average" American Porter like this at an "average" American Taproom circa 2016 (5,000 breweries, now?) I'd be impressed. But nevermind that!
The nose is definitely better than average, and everything about the grain bill tells me they got out of this exactly what they wanted, based upon what they put into it: Chocolate malt, dark chocolate wheat malt, caramel malt... so the notes of cocoa and dark chocolate are plentiful. Lighter espresso and roast character as well, and a bit of dark fruit, anise... and a lighter sharpness/tang.
Confession time. I grabbed this bottle straight out a case of beer labeled "Mystery Box O' Beer", and since I'd never seen the crown (bottlecap) and I collect breweriana, well, I'm a sucker for tying anything once. And the bottle was ice-cold! It was sitting out on the veranda at the local watering hole (which ain't a bar -- long story right there) and I was about to b.s. with the gang and I grabbed it and proceeded to drink straight from the bottle... and it wasn't bad!
What the hell was this 'oddball microbrew' which ends up tasting much, much better than ya think it should, eh? Well, I (being me) busted-out my magnifying glass --I ain't no spring chicken-- and checked the label and sure as shit, the brewery over in Stevens Point is very good at what they do -- even when it comes to co-packaged (contract-brewed) beer. :)
So here I am the next morning, drinking it at near room temperature and yep, it's good.
Sweet and rather thin mouthfeel on the first sip, but with nice lingering bittersweet character and a dry-ish finish. Excellent roasted malt notes which linger as well.
The sweetness is reminiscent of a milk stout (sweet stout), but a bit less coating on the palate. The 'sharp / tang' from the nose helps to cut the sweetness (think: the acidity of sour cherry) and this is notable because this isn't a well-hopped/bitter beer, at all.
The focus on this is definitely on chocolate notes and character, and it works -- even better for me because while it is chocolatey and evocative of chocolate, it isn't brewed on cocoa nibs or anything like that, so it doesn't go over the top. I am not the biggest chocolate fan in the world, and that sort of thing is more often than not wasted on me, anyway.
Very good drinkability and the body (although some feel that porters should be very heavy and 'thick like a stout') is appropriate for what they're going for with this particular beer. To my mind it's at least as your average 'chocolate' beer (chocolate stouts, chocolate porters, and -- UGH!-- chocolate bocks) and better than quite a few that I've tried.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by vette2006c5r from Minnesota
3.41/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.41/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Zoet pours an almost black color, with almost no head. Light hints of dark chocolate, and some metallic notes. Taste is light, crisp malt, with hints of chocolate. A bit weak, but not too watery. Overall, its a decent beer, easy to drink, not overpowering.
Aug 27, 2017Reviewed by BeerWithMike from Nebraska
3.79/5 rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.79/5 rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Sampled back on 2/28/16. Comes in a 12-ounce bottle from the Baraboo Brewing Company in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Bottle chilled down to 36 degrees F in my beer cooler and poured in to a "Wild Salmon Pale Ale" pint glass.
Brew pours close to a pitch-black in color with a good 1-finger dark beige cap that stayed around for a bit. Streaky lacing was seen with each sip. Aroma is of roasted malts and cocoa powder. Taste pretty much follows the nose with a hint of caramel malts also. Slight bitterness for the finish which might be the 'bakers cocoa/chocolate" but still a decent brew. Lighter-side of medium-bodied with decent carbonation.
Mar 28, 2016Brew pours close to a pitch-black in color with a good 1-finger dark beige cap that stayed around for a bit. Streaky lacing was seen with each sip. Aroma is of roasted malts and cocoa powder. Taste pretty much follows the nose with a hint of caramel malts also. Slight bitterness for the finish which might be the 'bakers cocoa/chocolate" but still a decent brew. Lighter-side of medium-bodied with decent carbonation.
Reviewed by zeff80 from Missouri
3.34/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.34/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
12oz bottle. Poured out an opaque, jet-black color with a small, light brown head of foam. It smelled of roasted coffee, chocolate and caramel. Subtle coffee flavor with sweet chocolate and roasted malt flavors.
Feb 03, 2016Reviewed by Harrison8 from Missouri
3.62/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.62/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours black with a medium-thin creme foamy head. No lacing. Chocolate and roasted malts in the aroma. The first thing I notice upon taking a sip are good, solid chocolate notes, followed by a roasted malt background. Mouth feel is a little bit watery, but it is still a pretty smooth and bold porter. Overall, a fairly good one here. Not the best, but it is a good chocolate porter to try.
Served in a 12oz snifter.
Feb 01, 2016Served in a 12oz snifter.
Reviewed by Jelitikasez from Missouri
3.54/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
3.54/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
A bit watery and bitter for something I thought was going to be rich, full and sweet. Very thin mouth feel. Disappointing, but certainly not bad for all that. Will probably be better when paired with something off the grill.
Jan 06, 2016Reviewed by hoptheology from California
2.87/5 rDev -15.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
2.87/5 rDev -15.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Hot off the shelf for winter '15.
Pours a chocolate cocoa colored body @ 100% opacity, and a rapidly diminishing 1 finger head.
Aroma of coffee beans and 6 hour cold coffee, nothing much else.
Taste is of bitter stale chocolate, stale coffee bean, vinegar, and antiseptic band-aid. Not impressive in the least. Finishing breaths are of cocoa and bean.
Feel is thin and overly carbonated, with a crisp lager-like finish but with slight roast.
Overall impressions are that this porter blows. I'm so happy I didn't invest in a six pack for this crap. It's drinkable but a horrible representation of the style and way more subpar than the title leads on.
Jan 06, 2016Pours a chocolate cocoa colored body @ 100% opacity, and a rapidly diminishing 1 finger head.
Aroma of coffee beans and 6 hour cold coffee, nothing much else.
Taste is of bitter stale chocolate, stale coffee bean, vinegar, and antiseptic band-aid. Not impressive in the least. Finishing breaths are of cocoa and bean.
Feel is thin and overly carbonated, with a crisp lager-like finish but with slight roast.
Overall impressions are that this porter blows. I'm so happy I didn't invest in a six pack for this crap. It's drinkable but a horrible representation of the style and way more subpar than the title leads on.
ZÖET Chocolate Porter from Baraboo Brewing Company
Beer rating:
81 out of
100 with
14 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!