Cole Porter
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

Tasted On-Tap 09/14/05 at the Minneapolis, MN location.

Dark brown and almost black in color with a light brown head, nice carbonation, and nice lace. Chocolate is about the only thing that stands out to me in the aroma and flavor. Medium-full bodied with a nice roasty dry finish.

Very nice, but much like the Brown Ale, it needs to warm up a bit. Many of the beer's characteristics are lost when it is served too cold.

On tap at the brewpub...

Opaque, almost pure black appearance, rich tan head that's shortish. Good dripping rings for laces. Chocolate aromas, but a sense of tart vegetation that oftentimes means hops to come. And there are hops in this one, at least this release. The mouthfeel seems decent at first, but falls off a bit late. Coffee and dark chocolate start out the flavors, but this does seem "agressively" balanced, tangy and scouring at the end. The beer is actually pretty drinkable, but sorry (fantome ;>) ) there is an odd "urinal cake" restroom impression in this one, antiseptic, medicinal, distinctive. It doesn't destroy the beer, but its there in my mind's eye.

Several pints were downed the other day at the pub, but I review this from a growler.
Deep, dark black, color of coffee grounds and burnt toast, with crimson tinges at the edges. Head is light tan, and short-lived in the glass (was bigger & longer at the bar.)
Aroma is nice and roasty, earthy, musty, with cocoa notes as well.
Taste is substantial, yet smooth as they come, very creamy, drinks down like a dream. Slick feel on the palate at first, then slipping back with a greater ease. Could use a bit more bitterness, for my taste, but then, I'm not who they are trying to please with this. Dark, rich, full of character, yet ridiculously easy to drink.
Body is full, finish is about medium length, for it lingers on the palate, but gradually drops off.
Pretty tasty stuff, I'll definitely take this over their other offerings.