English Porter
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

a really nice english porter, not retired at all, but on tap at the westminster, colorado location. pours really opaque burnt brown color with a short tan head that doesnt last. the nose is coffee heavy, roasted barley, and a pinch of dark chocolate. it has a very grainy taste, with very little of that caramel sweetness i am used to in english style porters. instead a bitter cocoa flavor and a fresh brewed coffee essence go back and forth with eachother. real creamy mouthfeel, a little more body than the style usually allows for, but its welcomed here. carbonation is quite mellow, and that works too. overall this is a bit generic in terms of flavor profile, but you dont need to reinvent the wheel to make a successful brew, and this is a rather true to style english porter that is expertly made. i hope to see it stick around.

This "special edition" porter, available at the Cincinnati location, is one of RBRB's more unimpressive offerings. The look starts out OK, with a single finger tan head, solid dark brown body (nearly opaque black), and fades quickly from there. The head is vanishing and leaves nary a film; the lace element nevers appears.

The aroma is light and gives no distinct impression, though there does seem to be some very faint hints of roasted caramel malt. The taste is also quite light and seems more like a mild stout than a full bodied porter. The feel is likewise light and definitely too watery for my taste. Overall, this is very average and frankly did not complement our pizza food selection all that well. Still, it is mild and drinkable and offered at a reasonable price.