Taddy Porter
Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)

Poured from 550 ml bottle into nonic pint glass. Deep chestnut brown color, four fingers of thick tan head that left scads of pretty lacing. First things that come through on the aroma upon opening the bottle are big notes of raisin and prune. Pouring unleashes more of the malty character, with notes of caramel and toffee alongside the dark fruit. There is also a mineral character to the aroma which is quite interesting, but fades a bit as the beer warms. Palate follows the nose, with just a touch of bitterness, a medium mouthfeel, a dry finish, and some lingering dark-fruit aftertaste. I've overlooked this countless times. Do not make the same mistake I did. This is a world-class beer at a very reasonable price, and widely available to boot. What more could you want?

Last had this in February 2023: Imperial pint. Maybe should have let it warm as it's mild without much roasted flavor. Got a hint of vinegar at first taste, which can't be a good sign. Purchased for holidays and didn't get to it.

November 2021 in a bar in Brooklyn: Very subtle. Some chocolate.

February 2020: 550 ml. Good, but was hoping for great. Not as much roasted malt flavor as expected.

 

 

330ml bottle. This is the platonic form of a Porter. Pours dark rich black brown with a dense tan head and lacing. Smells of roasted malt, brown bread, chocolate and coffee. Some undertones of sweetness and hops distinguish it from being stout-like but unlike many American attempts at the style, it never becomes too sweet. Finish is short and mildly biting in a perfect complement to the rich initial flavors. Round full mouthfeel and mild alcohol warming throughout. An exceptional beer.

 

Pours dark brown with a light beige head. Smells like coffee, medium dark chocolate, and dried cherry. Taste has a lot of cola, caramel, and cream, with coffee and chocolate. Subtle licorice. Nice roasted wood flavor. Decent amount of fruit- dried cherry, apple, and berries. Overall it’s a very good beer. Better than their Stouts. Tastes better with casual food- more of the creamy cola flavor comes out.

 

Excellent. Little light on alcohol.

This beer has an amazing flavor, aroma, and month feel. It tastes smoky and lightly toasted. It's very smooth and inviting. My main complaint is that it's only 5% abv. I prefer porters to have at least 7% abv. Great beer though overall.

 

Pours black with a clear, reddish-mahogany halo (SRM 35-38). Two inches of creamy chestnut head gradually settles, leaving a curtain of lace on a Burton glass.

The aroma opens with toasted malt that is sweet, with undertones of chocolate. Pumpernickel bread gives way to pecans and toffee and faint hops. Warmth brings out dates and molasses.

The malt is roasted with mild bitterness, giving it a slightly rye bread flavor. Baker's chocolate, black coffee, and walnuts are also discernible. The finish lingers with black coffee, light bitterness, and mild tartness.

It has a medium body and the texture of fine wool. The alcohol, while mild, is more present than expected. Carbonation has modest fizziness and there are occasional notes of a metallic quality.

This beer has an elegance about it. It is pleasant on a cold, blustery afternoon. I paired it with an aged Dorset cheddar which made the beer more fruity, while the beer made the cheese earthier and brought out umami.

The gold standard benchmark for an English porter. Less "bready" than Guinness w/a malty, mineraly aftertaste. Great palate heft & nice lingering aftertaste.

 

From a 12oz bottle dated "best before" 24JULY26 into a pint glass.

Pours a very, very dark reddish brown. It's translucent, believe it or not, just too dark to notice without a really bright light. Tan head. Decent retention but not a heck of a lot of lacing.

Getting some sweet chocolate and coffee on the nose. Light smoky notes.

Restrained sweetness. Balanced taste. Cola, molasses, light coffee bitterness and some smoke. Light acidic zest on the back end.

Thinner bodied, medium carbonation. Light bitter, smoky aftertaste.

Very nice beer.

 

 

 

A 550ml poured into a Nonic
A thick lasting beige head, decent lacing
Tasty caramelized English malt, a touch of molasses, black tea notes, the hops are well balanced. A little dry and tangy on the finish.
A mild and delicious English Porter

Classic dry English style Porter. Sweet molasses touch of smoke rye biscuit faint earthy hop. Medium bodied. Great fall/winter beer.