Payback Smoked Porter
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

Payback Smoked PorterPayback Smoked Porter
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From:
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
 
California, United States
Style:
Smoked Beer
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.84 | pDev: 12.5%
Reviews:
13
Ratings:
44
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 03, 2018
Added:
Feb 27, 2013
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  8
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by SDG1070:
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Rated by SDG1070 from Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%

Jul 02, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Jan 03, 2018
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

4.27/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
One of my drinking buddies is the only other person in our circle of friends who really digs smoked beers. On T, 18 July 2017, we got together on my front porch for smoked everything - beer, meats, cheeses, oysters. It was a great excuse to run through some bottles that I had been saving for just such an occasion.

From the Bottle: "San Francisco Born & Brewed"; "This limited edition Payback Porter uses cherry wood smoked malts for a rich, smoky flavor that perfectly complements the notes of bitter cocoa and espresso."; "Limited Edition"; "Put 'em on ice!"; "You want the best, don't cha?"; "American Hops vs. Smoked and Dark Malts".

I Pop!ped the cap & began a slow pour for each of us. An in-glass swirl raised a finger of dense, foamy, deep-brown head with great retention. Nose was rich - a combination of dark chocolate & heavy smoke. Mouthfeel was medium, but very carbonated. I initially got a dense, dark chocolate flavor on the tongue, but it was quickly followed by a rush of smoke that seemed to fill my nostrils & sinuses. Finish was dry and very smoky with the chocolate flavor lingering well past the swallow.
Jul 23, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by nickfl from Florida

May 08, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by dbauer from California

Jun 26, 2015
 
Rated: 4.05 by CJNAPS from California

Jan 27, 2015
Photo of Joncasso
Rated by Joncasso

4.15/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
It was very smooth. A bit bitter, but not ipa bitter. Heavy coffee flavor. I'd give it another go around
Jan 27, 2015
Photo of SonicAddict
Rated by SonicAddict from California

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
I really enjoy that most of the Hop taste is on the front end instead of the after taste.
Sep 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by GeorgeCarroll from Pennsylvania

Aug 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by largadeer from California

Jul 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by paulish from New York

Jul 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by hozersr from Pennsylvania

Jul 03, 2014
 
Rated: 2.25 by Thomas_562 from California

Jun 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by mpenning13 from Ohio

Apr 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by jsanmarco from England

Apr 15, 2014
Photo of beerthulhu
Reviewed by beerthulhu from New Jersey

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
smoked porter.

A: Dark coffee bean brown pour produces a steady, and sturdy lasting 2 inch mocha tinted head that had a mashed potato consistency. Heavy thick stratified ring lacing condenscends down the vessel.

S: Sweet smoky cherry wood is very evident with some dried rose petal highlights. Cherry-chocolate hints, roasty and earthy mineral bitterness with a smoldering campfire like leave. Good awareness level.

T: Flavor was bitter of freshly grounded chocolate coffee beans with some fresh oils, a roasty, smoky appeal and a campfire minerality that was like silt on the tongue. Smoldering smoky aftertaste of smoked malt, with a smooth flow and trasistion of flavor complimented by the cherry wood. Good lingering minerality is left behind, silty, earthy feel on the tongue.

M: creamy, smoky, with a light earthy bitterness level touching the back of the tongue. Good viscose feel.

O: Overall very good drinkability, flavor is big and fresh, yet earthy and roasty, smoky, and basically everything you come to expect per style. Would recommend again and buy without hesitation, outstanding all around.
Mar 05, 2014
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Reviewed by baakabak from New York

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pitch black with a beautiful, mountainous tan head.

Black coffee and bacon mix with dark chocolate and cream sherry.

Same as the nose. Dark malts and burnt coffee combine with wispy smoke and charred wood. Soy sauce and bitter chocolate finish.

Minimal carbonation. A little thin.

Not crazy smokey but enough to let you know it's there.The original payback is fantastic and this is a great addition.
Feb 27, 2014
Photo of RickS95
Reviewed by RickS95 from Indiana

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very dark black pour. No light has a shot with the darkness of this beer. Not even some lighter notes on the edges. Less than a finger of dirty white head and it doesn't retain well, however, there is a decent lace.

The scent of smoke is very subtle. More like slightly burnt coffee, with some expresso and bitter chocolate hints.

The smoke is far more prevalent in the taste as it gives the beer a bit more depth. I'm not a coffee drinker but it reminds me of the few sips I've had in the past with some cream in it. No one flavor dominates, the chocolate, coffee and char work well together and seemingly are always present at the same time.

Mouthfeel is slightly thinner than I care for, but the smokiness brings the depth I mentioned in the taste. It provides just enough body and feel, and with the charred woody feel, it hits the spot. Still only medium bodied, but it gives you enough to chew on.

Overall, it's an easy drinking beer that hides its alcohol very well. It's not sweet, but it lacks bitterness making is very drinkable.
Feb 10, 2014
Photo of JoshuaMason
Reviewed by JoshuaMason from California

3.03/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25
Vintage:2013
Appearance: Pitch Black; Thin Cola/gold ring around the perimeter; Zero head; zero lace
Smell: campfire smoke; smoked meat; chocolate;
Taste: Smoked meat; chocolate; lingering bbq smoke
Mouth-feel: Medium carbonation; balanced malt/hop; dry finish
Overall: Solid Smoked porter; I would like fewer meat notes and additional coffee notes, and a little more head and body.
Feb 01, 2014
Photo of corby112
Reviewed by corby112 from Pennsylvania

3.89/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a dark chestnut grown color that appears pitch black and opaque in the glass with mahogany edges and a two finger, pillowy beige head that slowly settles into a thick, lasting ting. The glass is left coated with streaks of soapy lacing.

Smokey and robust dark malt aroma with a really nice balance of smoke, roast and sweeter malt notes. Very nice smoke/Rauchbier character with hints of charcoal, liquid smoke, butane and barbecued bacon. This is complimented by deeply roasted dark malt notes of burnt toast, gourmet espresso bean, bitter dark chocolate and oatmeal. The smoke and roasted malt notes are countered by subtle lighter malt sweetness. I'm picking up sweeter silky chocolate, caramel, toffee and roasted nut. The nose of this beer has nice complexity and great balance. Enough smoke for fans of the style but not overpowering to the point where it smells like liquid campfire.

I'm a huge fan of smoked beers and regular Payback Porter so thankfully this beer doesn't disappoint. I would have preferred a little more smoke but otherwise this is a very solid variation of the regular version. Very well balanced with strong smokiness up front giving off hints of smoked meat, campfire, ash and charcoal but it's not harsh, acrid or overpowering, letting the roasted malts and sweeter notes of regular payback porter come through. The smoke is complimented by robust, deeply roasted malt flavors. Decent amount of dryness with hints of burnt wood, dark roasted coffee bean, bitter dark chocolate, oatmeal and charred toast which is countered by sweeter, dessert-like lighter malt flavors. Some baker's chocolate, toffee and caramel sweetness rounding out the finish. Slightly dryer than I prefer and again, could use some heavier smoke, but otherwise this was an enjoyable beer that's pretty easy to drink considering the style and complexity.
Dec 19, 2013
Payback Smoked Porter from Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 44 ratings