Haystack Black Porter
Portland Brewing Company

Black on the inside, brown to the outside. Cream, tan head, very nice. Aroma was all burnt roasted malt, chocolate malt, coffee and toffee notes droppin all over.

Taste was a bitter roast experience, all American yeast, chewy. One of the better porters made back in the 90s, if you like Black Butte, Sierra Nevada or Anchor, this would have been right up your alley porter wise.

 

Pours well, black. Cool red hue to it, very minimal, minimal beige head as well.

All kinds of chocolate, burnt malt and toffee emenating from this one.

Bitter taste, coffee starts to come out, less chocolate, sturdy mouthfeel and viscosity. Pretty well hopped for a porter, much along the lines of black butte, but just a little more thickness to it. For those not wanting the hop and bitter bite, age did this beer well.

This can't have been retired for too long, I just drank my last one last year.

12 oz brown bottle, capped, no date.

This porter poured a dark brown-black with hints of red if held to the light with rich, light brown foam that eventually settled but left some lacing on the glass. The smell was dark caramel malt, licorice hop aromas, and a hint of chocolate. The taste was initially a bit sweet (oatmeal-like), with a good amount of hop flavors, some chocolate, caramel, and a bit of a charred taste. The mouthfeel was crisp and relatively clean with medium-light body and moderate carbonation, and a lingering hoppy aftertaste. The drinkability was pretty good for this relatively highly hopped porter.

Probably not a fair test as this was a dated bottle, thus the head poured out like soda and disappeared immediately. Black with brownish highlights when held to light. Aroma mild, malty and chocolate predominates. Nice rich chocolate taste with balanced mild bitterness from hops. Lighter body than I expected. I would like to try another bottle and rate it again to be fair, as it has the promise of something quite tasty.

Mild and well rounded.

Presentation: On tap.

Appearance: Black in colour with ruby hues, lace is tan and sticks a bit.

Smell: Caramel, toffee, roasted malt and hints of coffee.

Taste: A mix of roasted malt flavour/acidity and hop bitterness up-front, then a little residual sweetness and caramel come through.

Notes: A must for all Porter lovers. Solid.