Payback Porter
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

Payback PorterPayback Porter
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From:
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
 
California, United States
Style:
Robust Porter
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
88
Avg:
3.91 | pDev: 9.46%
Reviews:
95
Ratings:
289
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jun 18, 2021
Added:
Dec 21, 2009
Wants:
  17
Gots:
  47
American hops provide a smooth distraction for Payback Porter’s robust strength, which is concealed within the shadows of dark imported malts. Brewed with English chocolate malts and rolled oats, this Robust Porter pours a deep chocolate brown and is rich in roasted malt aromas and coffee flavors. With notes of espresso, baker’s cocoa, and sweet, toasted maltiness, Payback finishes with a creamy mouthfeel.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of MikeWard
Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania

3.92/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
22oz bottle into a pint glass. NO freshness dating.

Looks decent enough. Black/dark brown body. Small tan head shrinks to a thick ring and faint covering. A little scattered lacing.

Faint roast malt aroma, a little licorice.

On tasting, quite robust, strong tasting. Roast, a little sweetness, lightly bitter. That licorice feel running though it.

Mouth a touch above medium, finish roasty, meaty, a little bitter.

Overall, not bad. 12oz would have been enough. Strong tasting porter, certainly not smooth
Jun 18, 2021
 
Rated: 4.27 by mweith

Nov 24, 2019
Photo of GarrettB
Reviewed by GarrettB from Colorado

3.14/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
July 28th, 2015 - The Payback Porter comes in a taster glass that looks like the outward end of a recorder, which affords me almost no opportunity to smell it. But the flavor is there, and quite awkward at first. It's brusque and sudden and a bit sharp with roasted notes, and offers a long aftertaste of chocolate milk. Mediocre, it's got some darkness and helps to signal the end of a long day of drinking beer.
Apr 15, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

Jan 14, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Jan 03, 2018
Photo of Lone_Freighter
Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

3.63/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
This was poured into a pint glass. The appearance was a dark brown color with a one finger off white to tan head that held around for a good minute and a half before gently dissipating. Subtle sticky lacing slides into the beer. The smell takes roasty coffee beans subtly blending with a light licorice/star anise sort of spicy sweetness. The taste was mildly sweet with an adequate back up by the spice of the licorice/star anise. Mildly sweet to spicy licorice aftertaste runs into the finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a sly sessionable sweet creamy feel moves in a nice wet feel on my tongue, almost slick. Overall, an American Porter with an almost slick sort of wet feel, hey, I like it. Feels great, I’d have this again.
Jul 01, 2017
 
Rated: 3.66 by anon from California

May 27, 2017
Photo of nick_perry
Reviewed by nick_perry from North Carolina

3.79/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Almost a reddish hue to the color, especially in the head. Surprisingly hoppy for a porter, which affords a nice balance with the malts and an overall unexpected complexity. Thick & creamy mouthfeel.
Mar 11, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by jordanian2 from Maryland

Nov 09, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.73/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Deep and robust dark brown color, 1/2" lesser brown head. Aroma went with chocolate, coffee, hop bitterness, roast, i was impressed.

Taste was a very hoppy porter. This went in the Sierra Nevada and Deschutes hoppy porter tradition. The malt was far from insubstantial. The bomber format makes it unnecessarily more expensive than had they put it in 4 or 6 packs, but I dunno, I guess if you can get that $ why not from their perspective. Respectable beer for sure.
Oct 28, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by h4ger from Connecticut

Oct 22, 2016
Photo of hman43
Reviewed by hman43 from North Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Look: It pours dark brown, almost black, with a moderately brown head that does have a bit of lacing.

Smell: It has aromas of chocolate, dark fruits, coffee, and citrus.

Taste: There are sweet flavors from the beginning from the chocolate. There are also flavors of coffee, citrus, plums, and toast.

Feel: It has a moderate feel that is smooth and creamy. It finishes moderately bitter.

Overall this is a chocolate ale from the initial flavors that turns into a complex blend of malts and hops that is easy to drink.
Jun 26, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by 6thstreetbrewpub from District of Columbia

May 28, 2016
Photo of elNopalero
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan

4.17/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This pours a cola coffee with cocoa foam. There's a decent roasty note on it, followed by a hint of cocoa nibs. The flavor has a roasty bite. Lots of chocolate and coffee, with just the right amount of heft.
May 23, 2016
 
Rated: 3.54 by pretext from New York

May 15, 2016
 
Rated: 3.83 by Rfee from New Jersey

May 14, 2016
 
Rated: 2.81 by Majorwolfe from Illinois

May 13, 2016
Photo of Bunman3
Reviewed by Bunman3 from Canada (AB)

4.24/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Damn. I'm not sure why I was hesitant about this brewery, but I'm glad I put in my big boy undies. This is a rich and balanced coffee Porter - dark roast, chocolate and overall tasty smoothness prevail. I really enjoy the coffee exclamation point as it disappears down your throat. Wonderful!
Apr 20, 2016
 
Rated: 4.42 by pajfuwen from England

Mar 30, 2016
 
Rated: 3.64 by Mlkluther from Canada (AB)

Mar 12, 2016
Payback Porter from Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 289 ratings