Robust Porter
Smuttynose Brewing Company
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- From:
- Smuttynose Brewing Company
- New Hampshire, United States
- Style:
- Porter - Robust
Ranked #8 - ABV:
- 6.2%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #4,870 - Avg:
- 4.13 | pDev: 10.17%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jun 20, 2021
- Added:
- Oct 18, 2000
- Wants:
- 207
- Gots:
- 484
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding
Notes:
This hearty, mahogany colored ale is brewed to evoke the dark, full-bodied ales that were a favorite of dockworkers and warehousemen (hence the name “Porter”) in 19th century London. It is a good bet that when Dickens’ Mr. Pickwick sat down for a pint, we would have been drinking an ale much like our Robust Porter.This is a smooth and very drinkable beer, characterized by its well-balanced malt and hops, plus subtle notes of coffee and chocolate.
43 IBU
43 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4 by aasher from Indiana on Jun 20, 2021
4.23 by tscanlon51 from Massachusetts on Mar 18, 2021
4.29/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by sulldaddy from Connecticut
I honestly dont know how I have never reviewed this beer on BA. Ive consumed this beer well over 100 times for sure.
Im pouring a cellar temp 12 oz can into my snifter. the beer pours a rich mahogany color but doesnt allow any light to pass through when I hold up the glass.
A dense creamy head of 3 cm foams up even with a gentle pour and this foam remains as a sturdy surface layer throughout the sampling. I also scattered lattice when I take a sip or swirl my glass.
The aroma on this beer is roasted malt, a bit of char, maybe tobacco too. This mixes some dark chocolate and just a hint of caramel. Spot on nose and appealing. Reminds me why I used to drink this beer so often.
The first sip reveals a medium body and medium tingly carbonation. The beer drinks really easy on the physical traits.
Flavor is roasted malt, some dark chocolate, hints of caramel and brown sugar too. This creates some balance and doenst make the beer sweet, just increases the complexity of flavors. There is also a bit of molasses on the finish and then the roast malt lingers long after each sip.
No hints of any booze and I dont get much hop profile. Very nice porter, that I will get back to buying more frequently again!
Mar 14, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by sulldaddy from Connecticut
I honestly dont know how I have never reviewed this beer on BA. Ive consumed this beer well over 100 times for sure.
Im pouring a cellar temp 12 oz can into my snifter. the beer pours a rich mahogany color but doesnt allow any light to pass through when I hold up the glass.
A dense creamy head of 3 cm foams up even with a gentle pour and this foam remains as a sturdy surface layer throughout the sampling. I also scattered lattice when I take a sip or swirl my glass.
The aroma on this beer is roasted malt, a bit of char, maybe tobacco too. This mixes some dark chocolate and just a hint of caramel. Spot on nose and appealing. Reminds me why I used to drink this beer so often.
The first sip reveals a medium body and medium tingly carbonation. The beer drinks really easy on the physical traits.
Flavor is roasted malt, some dark chocolate, hints of caramel and brown sugar too. This creates some balance and doenst make the beer sweet, just increases the complexity of flavors. There is also a bit of molasses on the finish and then the roast malt lingers long after each sip.
No hints of any booze and I dont get much hop profile. Very nice porter, that I will get back to buying more frequently again!
Mar 14, 2021
4.17/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by officerbill from New York
L: The stoutest looking porter I've had. It pours a solid black with a tall, foamy dark tan head that slowly dissolves into a thick film, leaving some nice lacing along the way.
S: Coffee, cocoa, smoke from a good cigar
T: very complex flavors that meld well. Roasted malts, strong coffee with a little sugar, 90% cocoa dark chocolate, tobacco, caramel or molasses, the burnt crust of a roasted marshmallow, toasted Russian rye bread, all followed by some bittering hops
F: medium-full bodied and smooth, slight tingle from little carbonation and a bitter-sweet finish.
O: This is damn good. Buy it.
Mar 13, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by officerbill from New York
L: The stoutest looking porter I've had. It pours a solid black with a tall, foamy dark tan head that slowly dissolves into a thick film, leaving some nice lacing along the way.
S: Coffee, cocoa, smoke from a good cigar
T: very complex flavors that meld well. Roasted malts, strong coffee with a little sugar, 90% cocoa dark chocolate, tobacco, caramel or molasses, the burnt crust of a roasted marshmallow, toasted Russian rye bread, all followed by some bittering hops
F: medium-full bodied and smooth, slight tingle from little carbonation and a bitter-sweet finish.
O: This is damn good. Buy it.
Mar 13, 2021
4.2 by hopley from Massachusetts on Mar 08, 2021
4.04 by DarrellK from Florida on Mar 01, 2021
4.36/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by RozzieBoy from Rhode Island
L - dark brown with thick two-finger deep tan head. Good, sticky lacing.
S - roast malt. Oak?
T - follows the nose for sure. Nice.
F - thick mouthfeel with semi - dry finish.
O - really good beer! Really enjoyed it. One heck of a solid beer.
Feb 07, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by RozzieBoy from Rhode Island
L - dark brown with thick two-finger deep tan head. Good, sticky lacing.
S - roast malt. Oak?
T - follows the nose for sure. Nice.
F - thick mouthfeel with semi - dry finish.
O - really good beer! Really enjoyed it. One heck of a solid beer.
Feb 07, 2021
4.41 by Jonnybgood from Massachusetts on Jan 07, 2021
4.18/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland
Large but short lived dense mocha colored head leaves good lacing atop a black body. Roasted malt aroma with threads of chocolate, chicory and dried fruit. Earthy, smoky flavors of the roasted malts are reminiscent of hearty pumpernickel bread washed down with a strong cup of coffee. Aftertaste swings toward a bitter, modestly hopped, long lasting finish. Mouthfeel is smooth, full bodied and moderately carbonated.
Dec 18, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland
Large but short lived dense mocha colored head leaves good lacing atop a black body. Roasted malt aroma with threads of chocolate, chicory and dried fruit. Earthy, smoky flavors of the roasted malts are reminiscent of hearty pumpernickel bread washed down with a strong cup of coffee. Aftertaste swings toward a bitter, modestly hopped, long lasting finish. Mouthfeel is smooth, full bodied and moderately carbonated.
Dec 18, 2020
4.1 by shelby415 from Oregon on Dec 17, 2020
4 by Noelito76 from New York on Dec 07, 2020
4.21/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by tradershmulie from Connecticut
Very delicious beer.
Nice dark color - deep, deep brown.
Some light pleasant smell.
Very nice taste. Full flavored. Very slight bitterness.
Excellent porter.
Nov 08, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by tradershmulie from Connecticut
Very delicious beer.
Nice dark color - deep, deep brown.
Some light pleasant smell.
Very nice taste. Full flavored. Very slight bitterness.
Excellent porter.
Nov 08, 2020
4.46/5 rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by gooddaydiablo from Texas
look: black,
smell: burnt bread :D
taste: burnt, smoky, malty, roasty, coffee, complex
feel: creamy, thin, burnt/sweet finish, crushable
overall: I love it
Sep 11, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by gooddaydiablo from Texas
look: black,
smell: burnt bread :D
taste: burnt, smoky, malty, roasty, coffee, complex
feel: creamy, thin, burnt/sweet finish, crushable
overall: I love it
Sep 11, 2020
2.75/5 rDev -33.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
by GC2020 from New Hampshire
This beer has gone downhill, sadly, since my last taste in 2013. We got a growler fill at the brewery ($6/64oz) and poured some into a pint glass when we arrived home. The look was as inviting now as it was then - dark brown, almost shimmering. The smell was our first clue. It smelled - artificial. We don'r homebrew so we don't know what we were smelling, but it wasn't good. We took a sip, followed quickly by a healthy gulp. It tasted as if the malted grain had been scorched, like old coffee grounds. There was that artificial taste again. I was disappointed; this had been a great beer. For the first time ever, I drain poured the rest of the 64oz. Something not good's going on at Smuttynose.
May 17, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
by GC2020 from New Hampshire
This beer has gone downhill, sadly, since my last taste in 2013. We got a growler fill at the brewery ($6/64oz) and poured some into a pint glass when we arrived home. The look was as inviting now as it was then - dark brown, almost shimmering. The smell was our first clue. It smelled - artificial. We don'r homebrew so we don't know what we were smelling, but it wasn't good. We took a sip, followed quickly by a healthy gulp. It tasted as if the malted grain had been scorched, like old coffee grounds. There was that artificial taste again. I was disappointed; this had been a great beer. For the first time ever, I drain poured the rest of the 64oz. Something not good's going on at Smuttynose.
May 17, 2020
4.09 by drews240 from Rhode Island on Mar 12, 2020
4.5 by doctorgary from New York on Mar 04, 2020
3.4/5 rDev -17.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
by 1009 from Massachusetts
I'm not a porter lover but this wasn't awful. This is the Tennessee Titans of porters. Average. Smooth and goes down easy but I just don't see the BA love for this. It's decidedly ok. Not great. Not Terrible, definitely not a 92 though. Like the Titian's they have promise with Derrick Henry, but they also have Ryan Tannehill.
Feb 19, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
by 1009 from Massachusetts
I'm not a porter lover but this wasn't awful. This is the Tennessee Titans of porters. Average. Smooth and goes down easy but I just don't see the BA love for this. It's decidedly ok. Not great. Not Terrible, definitely not a 92 though. Like the Titian's they have promise with Derrick Henry, but they also have Ryan Tannehill.
Feb 19, 2020
4 by Mickt465 from New Hampshire on Jan 31, 2020
4.12 by craigbelly from Iowa on Jan 29, 2020
4.22/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Peach63 from New York
Pours deep copper with a 1/4 inch tan head, which quickly dissipates. Minimal lacing.
Aroma of molasses, chocolate, coffee.
Tastes of molasses, chocolate malt, coffee, cascade hops and possibly magnum hops?
Medium bodied, moderate carbonation. Oily, slightly bitter finish.
Pretty tasty. Lack of a lasting head is a bit of a bummer, but a darn good porter none-the-less. "Make mine a Smutty"!
Jan 22, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Peach63 from New York
Pours deep copper with a 1/4 inch tan head, which quickly dissipates. Minimal lacing.
Aroma of molasses, chocolate, coffee.
Tastes of molasses, chocolate malt, coffee, cascade hops and possibly magnum hops?
Medium bodied, moderate carbonation. Oily, slightly bitter finish.
Pretty tasty. Lack of a lasting head is a bit of a bummer, but a darn good porter none-the-less. "Make mine a Smutty"!
Jan 22, 2020
4.05/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by PMakowski from New Hampshire
12 Oz Can poured into glass
Look - very dark brown colored, frothy medium foam head lingers. Lots of lacing.
Smell - not super pungent but there is some roasted malt, some milk chocolate. Subtle earthiness.
Taste - crisp roasted malt almost burnt. Creamy dark roast coffee. Bitter hops in the finish. It has balance but the lingering aftertaste is bitter almost burnt marshmallow malt. Carbonation is medium and body is medium-heavy.
Overall, starts out pleasant on the palate but turns from sweet into quite bitter. One of the more charred porters out there. The name says it all, it is robust. Good but not something i would go for regularly. Grade is an A-
Dec 26, 2019
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by PMakowski from New Hampshire
12 Oz Can poured into glass
Look - very dark brown colored, frothy medium foam head lingers. Lots of lacing.
Smell - not super pungent but there is some roasted malt, some milk chocolate. Subtle earthiness.
Taste - crisp roasted malt almost burnt. Creamy dark roast coffee. Bitter hops in the finish. It has balance but the lingering aftertaste is bitter almost burnt marshmallow malt. Carbonation is medium and body is medium-heavy.
Overall, starts out pleasant on the palate but turns from sweet into quite bitter. One of the more charred porters out there. The name says it all, it is robust. Good but not something i would go for regularly. Grade is an A-
Dec 26, 2019
4.18 by neliam24 from New York on Dec 02, 2019
4/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by izraelc from New York
Pours dark. Light head. Not much of an aroma. Clean smooth body followed by a heavy malt finish. Tastes burnt and smokey. Good balance. A very good porter.
Nov 09, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by izraelc from New York
Pours dark. Light head. Not much of an aroma. Clean smooth body followed by a heavy malt finish. Tastes burnt and smokey. Good balance. A very good porter.
Nov 09, 2019
4.25 by lupercmda from North Carolina on Aug 16, 2019
4 by brandoneast from Texas on Aug 05, 2019
4.14 by Unclevince from West Virginia on Apr 13, 2019
4.36/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by beerdedking from Pennsylvania
One of the better porters available. Great feel, foreshadowed by a delicious bouquet of coffee dark chocolate roastiness wafting up your olfactory nerve. Tasty porter flavors leaning slightly towards stout territory (for me means minus raisin notes etc...). Easy drinking and smooth.
Apr 11, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by beerdedking from Pennsylvania
One of the better porters available. Great feel, foreshadowed by a delicious bouquet of coffee dark chocolate roastiness wafting up your olfactory nerve. Tasty porter flavors leaning slightly towards stout territory (for me means minus raisin notes etc...). Easy drinking and smooth.
Apr 11, 2019
4.75 by teamgalt from Massachusetts on Mar 05, 2019
4.35 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania on Mar 05, 2019
4.1 by user785335 from Florida on Feb 20, 2019
4.29/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by jlindros from Massachusetts
Reviewed as part of BJCP training. 20A American porter
Thick tan creamy head, decent retention, good lacing, super dark brown basically black, opaque
Nose big dark malts, a little roasty almost char, plenty of chocolate, cocoa, little roasted coffee and slight Smokey burnt malts,
Taste rich dark malts, slight burnt smokey malt, with more dark chocolate and mild roasted coffee, despite heavy roasty it's smooth and not harsh or acrid, some mild earthy almost spicy hops kick in with medium to higher bitterness on combination with the malt, hint of sweetness, drier finish, lingering bitterness but smooth
Mouth is full bod, medium carb, smooth richness
Overall quite nice, not sure how I haven't reviewed this yet, great classic American robust porter
Feb 10, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by jlindros from Massachusetts
Reviewed as part of BJCP training. 20A American porter
Thick tan creamy head, decent retention, good lacing, super dark brown basically black, opaque
Nose big dark malts, a little roasty almost char, plenty of chocolate, cocoa, little roasted coffee and slight Smokey burnt malts,
Taste rich dark malts, slight burnt smokey malt, with more dark chocolate and mild roasted coffee, despite heavy roasty it's smooth and not harsh or acrid, some mild earthy almost spicy hops kick in with medium to higher bitterness on combination with the malt, hint of sweetness, drier finish, lingering bitterness but smooth
Mouth is full bod, medium carb, smooth richness
Overall quite nice, not sure how I haven't reviewed this yet, great classic American robust porter
Feb 10, 2019
4.09 by generalraider from New Jersey on Feb 06, 2019
3.96 by calebc10410 from Massachusetts on Jan 20, 2019
4.35/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by southerner2 from Georgia
One of my all time favorites! I haven't seen this in a while, I'll find it and enjoy. Feliz Navidad'
Dec 15, 2018
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by southerner2 from Georgia
One of my all time favorites! I haven't seen this in a while, I'll find it and enjoy. Feliz Navidad'
Dec 15, 2018
4.08 by KMcGrath from Massachusetts on Nov 28, 2018
3.62/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
by KomodoDragon from Virginia
Looks and smells the part. Black porter small bubble filled tan head with some lacing.
Burning wood smells, some raisin, some vanilla scent.
Some light, sweet maltiness in the front. Not much backing it up. Then some smoky grains in a long finish. Nothing unpleasant, just a bit unbalanced. And I pick up a little vanilla in the end.
Too much carbonation takes away an otherwise smooth feel. Highly drinkable as promised. Hides the alcohol.
Not sure where the robust is, but a fair offering.
Nov 16, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
by KomodoDragon from Virginia
Looks and smells the part. Black porter small bubble filled tan head with some lacing.
Burning wood smells, some raisin, some vanilla scent.
Some light, sweet maltiness in the front. Not much backing it up. Then some smoky grains in a long finish. Nothing unpleasant, just a bit unbalanced. And I pick up a little vanilla in the end.
Too much carbonation takes away an otherwise smooth feel. Highly drinkable as promised. Hides the alcohol.
Not sure where the robust is, but a fair offering.
Nov 16, 2018
4.25/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Ov1 from Pennsylvania
No fan of porters usually but this is a winner.
Oct 14, 2018
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Ov1 from Pennsylvania
No fan of porters usually but this is a winner.
Oct 14, 2018
4 by Dlijoi from New Jersey on Oct 07, 2018
4 by wshinevar from Massachusetts on Sep 27, 2018
4.14 by Greener from Iowa on Sep 26, 2018
Robust Porter from Smuttynose Brewing Company
Beer rating:
92 out of
100 with
2805 ratings