Mayflower Porter | Mayflower Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Mayflower Brewing Company
Massachusetts, United States
mayflowerbrewing.com
Style: English Porter
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.50%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by DrDogbeer on 03-28-2008
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 245 | Ratings: 721
4.06/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle. Pours deep brown, thin tan head disappears quickly, no lacing. Vbig roasty aroma, cocoa and mild coffee. Full flavor in this porter, deep bitter chocolate and coffee, mild char dry bitter finish. Mouthfeel is thin and slick. Overall very good porter.
★ 268 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle. Pours deep brown, thin tan head disappears quickly, no lacing. Vbig roasty aroma, cocoa and mild coffee. Full flavor in this porter, deep bitter chocolate and coffee, mild char dry bitter finish. Mouthfeel is thin and slick. Overall very good porter.
★ 268 characters
4.21/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Outstanding example of the style. Wonderfully complex aroma of bitter chocolate and roasted coffee. Those can often be catch alls when describing Porter style beers, but in this case the bouquet really sings. There's a nice molasses note as well, bringing out more of that toasty dark malt character. I spent literally five entire minutes just smelling this before taking my first sip. Outstanding in that regard. Bready malt characteristics of pumpernickel and rye toast. Head was adequate for the style, nothing particularly noteworthy in the lacing department either. All in all though, so happy I finally found a few bottles of this and eagerly await my next drinking experience with this porter.
★ 700 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Outstanding example of the style. Wonderfully complex aroma of bitter chocolate and roasted coffee. Those can often be catch alls when describing Porter style beers, but in this case the bouquet really sings. There's a nice molasses note as well, bringing out more of that toasty dark malt character. I spent literally five entire minutes just smelling this before taking my first sip. Outstanding in that regard. Bready malt characteristics of pumpernickel and rye toast. Head was adequate for the style, nothing particularly noteworthy in the lacing department either. All in all though, so happy I finally found a few bottles of this and eagerly await my next drinking experience with this porter.
★ 700 characters
4.01/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On tap at Malted Barley in Providence:
Appearance: super dark brown in body, with a massive light-brown head that sticks around FOREVER. Leaves tons and tons of lacing. Beautiful looking brew.
Aroma: toasty and roasty, with lots of malt character. Smells like a classic, English-style Porter, in contrast with the more boozy, heavy porters that fit tastebuds today.
Taste: again, it's lighter in flavor than most porters being brewed nowadays, but it is still very good. Lots of roastiness, a little sweet milk chocolate flavor. Dark, burnt bread notes, mixed with a little caramel.
Feel: lighter in body than some, and with light carbonation. Creamy feel on the palate.
Overall: this is a really good Porter. An excellent brew for any time of year, though especially fitting in the fall or winter.
★ 803 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On tap at Malted Barley in Providence:
Appearance: super dark brown in body, with a massive light-brown head that sticks around FOREVER. Leaves tons and tons of lacing. Beautiful looking brew.
Aroma: toasty and roasty, with lots of malt character. Smells like a classic, English-style Porter, in contrast with the more boozy, heavy porters that fit tastebuds today.
Taste: again, it's lighter in flavor than most porters being brewed nowadays, but it is still very good. Lots of roastiness, a little sweet milk chocolate flavor. Dark, burnt bread notes, mixed with a little caramel.
Feel: lighter in body than some, and with light carbonation. Creamy feel on the palate.
Overall: this is a really good Porter. An excellent brew for any time of year, though especially fitting in the fall or winter.
★ 803 characters
4.14/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
From a 12oz. bottle dated 11/24/15, served in a 13oz. tulip.
Pours deep chestnut-brown-to-black with garnet highlights and a half-finger head which dies back nearly instantly leaving no lacing.
Smells of toasted cocoa nibs and dates and, faintly, of fresh-ground coffee and clean earth.
Tastes of earthy, toasted grains and dates, chocolate frosting and caramelized sugar without sweetness. A quick, vaguely hoppy finish that's clean, dry and bitter and then gone.
Feel is light-bodied and dry, fine carbonation, slight astringency.
Overall, a highly serviceable beverage. It is very light, probably closer in style to a brown or new ale than what I think of as a porter, but that's no bad thing. You could sit and sip these all evening without having to unbutton your trousers. In fact, I'll make a point of getting more next time.
★ 838 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
From a 12oz. bottle dated 11/24/15, served in a 13oz. tulip.
Pours deep chestnut-brown-to-black with garnet highlights and a half-finger head which dies back nearly instantly leaving no lacing.
Smells of toasted cocoa nibs and dates and, faintly, of fresh-ground coffee and clean earth.
Tastes of earthy, toasted grains and dates, chocolate frosting and caramelized sugar without sweetness. A quick, vaguely hoppy finish that's clean, dry and bitter and then gone.
Feel is light-bodied and dry, fine carbonation, slight astringency.
Overall, a highly serviceable beverage. It is very light, probably closer in style to a brown or new ale than what I think of as a porter, but that's no bad thing. You could sit and sip these all evening without having to unbutton your trousers. In fact, I'll make a point of getting more next time.
★ 838 characters
3.5/5 rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dark brown appearance, not the highest amount of viscosity, but above a brown ale, but prolly below your average porter.
Mild easy going taste, relatively smooth, English yeast, toffee, caramel, but not a lot of other flavors, hopping. Somewhere resting between a brown ale and porter. It was an enjoyable but not over the top porter.
★ 338 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dark brown appearance, not the highest amount of viscosity, but above a brown ale, but prolly below your average porter.
Mild easy going taste, relatively smooth, English yeast, toffee, caramel, but not a lot of other flavors, hopping. Somewhere resting between a brown ale and porter. It was an enjoyable but not over the top porter.
★ 338 characters
4.31/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Damn, this seems like the perfect porter. Big bready barley with a cocoa edge and toasty notes. The finish is a touch acidic, balancing out the medium-body malts. I want more.
★ 175 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Damn, this seems like the perfect porter. Big bready barley with a cocoa edge and toasty notes. The finish is a touch acidic, balancing out the medium-body malts. I want more.
★ 175 characters
4.02/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
While back home visiting in Mass. I wanted to try something new, so I bought the variety pack. This was a really good porter. It had a nice roasty flavor to it without tasting too burnt. A kind of coffee/chocolate taste. Not too heavy, not too light. A nice deep, rich brown black tone in color. It proved to be one of the better beers I came across this holiday season.
★ 370 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
While back home visiting in Mass. I wanted to try something new, so I bought the variety pack. This was a really good porter. It had a nice roasty flavor to it without tasting too burnt. A kind of coffee/chocolate taste. Not too heavy, not too light. A nice deep, rich brown black tone in color. It proved to be one of the better beers I came across this holiday season.
★ 370 characters
4.29/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Gillette Stadium
Pours dark brown-black with a tan head. Smells of roasted coffee and chocolate. Tastes like roasted coffee and chocolate with maybe some caramelized sugar in there. Very roasty and dark tasting. Perfectly balanced with delicious flavor and aftertaste. Goes down smooth and easy. Overall a great porter!
★ 330 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Gillette Stadium
Pours dark brown-black with a tan head. Smells of roasted coffee and chocolate. Tastes like roasted coffee and chocolate with maybe some caramelized sugar in there. Very roasty and dark tasting. Perfectly balanced with delicious flavor and aftertaste. Goes down smooth and easy. Overall a great porter!
★ 330 characters
3.77/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: [4.00] The beer pours out a nice cola brown color. It forms a creamy khaki head that is just under 1 finger. The head recedes down pretty quickly - but does not disappear. The bottle does not list the ABV but there is a packaged date of (06/04/15)
S: [3.75] The beer has 2 primary scents that I am getting. There is a nice campfire / charred hardwood aroma. The other smell is a nice bittersweet chocolate. The combination is really nice.
T: [3.75] The taste follows the nose. At the front there is some malt sweetness and the campfire taste. The it gives way to a very long finish with bittersweet chocolate.
M: [3.75] The mouthfeel is smooth and has nice body. There is a bit of a dry/tangy finish with the bittersweet chocolate.
O: [3.75] I really like this beer. I am not sure I could drink more than 2 in a sitting. The campfire flavor might start to wear after 2 beers. However, with just one beer it is really delicious. The chocolate and the roasted/charred flavors play well off of each other. Small gripe - list the ABV please. This is a well made porter with a lot of flavor. Will drink again.
★ 1,127 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: [4.00] The beer pours out a nice cola brown color. It forms a creamy khaki head that is just under 1 finger. The head recedes down pretty quickly - but does not disappear. The bottle does not list the ABV but there is a packaged date of (06/04/15)
S: [3.75] The beer has 2 primary scents that I am getting. There is a nice campfire / charred hardwood aroma. The other smell is a nice bittersweet chocolate. The combination is really nice.
T: [3.75] The taste follows the nose. At the front there is some malt sweetness and the campfire taste. The it gives way to a very long finish with bittersweet chocolate.
M: [3.75] The mouthfeel is smooth and has nice body. There is a bit of a dry/tangy finish with the bittersweet chocolate.
O: [3.75] I really like this beer. I am not sure I could drink more than 2 in a sitting. The campfire flavor might start to wear after 2 beers. However, with just one beer it is really delicious. The chocolate and the roasted/charred flavors play well off of each other. Small gripe - list the ABV please. This is a well made porter with a lot of flavor. Will drink again.
★ 1,127 characters
4.52/5 rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from 12oz bottle into speiglau stout glass.
Dark rich center with amber red hues at the edges of the beer.
Roasted coffee notes. With a toffee roasted bean taste.
Absolutely great beer. Awesome pick up in a variety pack.
★ 233 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from 12oz bottle into speiglau stout glass.
Dark rich center with amber red hues at the edges of the beer.
Roasted coffee notes. With a toffee roasted bean taste.
Absolutely great beer. Awesome pick up in a variety pack.
★ 233 characters
4.25/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dark chocolate and coffee. This has a great balance between some pleasant bitterness and a molasses like sweetness. Aftertaste is roasted and even a little smoky. Highly drinkable, and very much recommended.
★ 207 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dark chocolate and coffee. This has a great balance between some pleasant bitterness and a molasses like sweetness. Aftertaste is roasted and even a little smoky. Highly drinkable, and very much recommended.
★ 207 characters
4.44/5 rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Just what I'm looking for in a Porter. Nice dark color, notes of coffee and chocolates from perfectly roasted malts, and goes down smooth, without heaviness. Outstanding for sure.
★ 179 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Just what I'm looking for in a Porter. Nice dark color, notes of coffee and chocolates from perfectly roasted malts, and goes down smooth, without heaviness. Outstanding for sure.
★ 179 characters
4.77/5 rDev +16.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
This is a fantastic porter. Lighter on the abv but very rich and smooth on the pallet. There are fewer porters that I would have other than this on tap.
★ 153 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
This is a fantastic porter. Lighter on the abv but very rich and smooth on the pallet. There are fewer porters that I would have other than this on tap.
★ 153 characters
4.32/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
A: Midnight black with little to no head. Had a tan lacing.
S: Toasted bread, roasted malt, some hints of alcohol, raisins and candied fruits added some sweetness to the aroma.
T: Seemed pretty complex flavor wise. I was able to taste a wide spectrum of flavors almost like I would with a Bourbon County Stout for example. I predominately tasted candied fruit like sweetness, some dry raisin like bitterness, nutty boldness and a hint of alcoholic warmth to top it all off.
M: Very thin body, almost wine like, medium amount of carbonation.
O: I like the Mayflower porter. The complexity of flavors added to the overall enjoyability of the beer. Well done!!
★ 657 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
A: Midnight black with little to no head. Had a tan lacing.
S: Toasted bread, roasted malt, some hints of alcohol, raisins and candied fruits added some sweetness to the aroma.
T: Seemed pretty complex flavor wise. I was able to taste a wide spectrum of flavors almost like I would with a Bourbon County Stout for example. I predominately tasted candied fruit like sweetness, some dry raisin like bitterness, nutty boldness and a hint of alcoholic warmth to top it all off.
M: Very thin body, almost wine like, medium amount of carbonation.
O: I like the Mayflower porter. The complexity of flavors added to the overall enjoyability of the beer. Well done!!
★ 657 characters
4.24/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dark pour with thin tan foam. Heavy roasted aroma, turning chocolate semisweet in the sip. Light, clean finish. Pretty tasty! Looking forward to finding this again.
★ 164 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dark pour with thin tan foam. Heavy roasted aroma, turning chocolate semisweet in the sip. Light, clean finish. Pretty tasty! Looking forward to finding this again.
★ 164 characters
4.08/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Look. Fairly dark mahogany, light brown, thin head.
Smell. Toastiness, tar? yeasty, beery, clears the nostrils, a fair amount happening for me which is unusual.
Taste. Toastiness, fairly even hop to malt balance with a slight tip to the malt end, fairly dry.
Mouthfeel. Medium body, sparkly despite the weak head, dry, chewy, a bit puckery.
Overall. Not outstanding in any one area, but an interesting mix of aromas, feels and tastes, pretty good as a dry porter.
★ 466 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Look. Fairly dark mahogany, light brown, thin head.
Smell. Toastiness, tar? yeasty, beery, clears the nostrils, a fair amount happening for me which is unusual.
Taste. Toastiness, fairly even hop to malt balance with a slight tip to the malt end, fairly dry.
Mouthfeel. Medium body, sparkly despite the weak head, dry, chewy, a bit puckery.
Overall. Not outstanding in any one area, but an interesting mix of aromas, feels and tastes, pretty good as a dry porter.
★ 466 characters
3.95/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Appearance - dark mahogany body with tan head
Smell - cocoa, chocolate, roasted malts, caramel
Taste - much like the smell, cocoa, chocolate, roasted malts, caramel, in the finish there is a mineraly mustiness
Mouthfeel - medium bodied, medium carbonation, slight sweetness upfront, in the back is some of the mustiness that detracts from the experience of this beer
Overall - decent porter, albeit a slight letdown due to the glowing reviews I heard about this beer previously
Price Point - $9.69/6 pk 12 oz botles
★ 520 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Appearance - dark mahogany body with tan head
Smell - cocoa, chocolate, roasted malts, caramel
Taste - much like the smell, cocoa, chocolate, roasted malts, caramel, in the finish there is a mineraly mustiness
Mouthfeel - medium bodied, medium carbonation, slight sweetness upfront, in the back is some of the mustiness that detracts from the experience of this beer
Overall - decent porter, albeit a slight letdown due to the glowing reviews I heard about this beer previously
Price Point - $9.69/6 pk 12 oz botles
★ 520 characters
4/5 rDev -2.7%
Drank a couple of pint glasses from a tap.
Appearance: Very dark almost black, with nice brown head. The head lasted a very long time, and left a nice coating on the inside of the glass.
Smell: Pleasant, with a nice balance. Can smell the hops, coffee, and roasted malts, but none of the aromas dominate the others.
Taste: A nice mix of hops and malts, and with a hint of roasted coffee. The hops are just enough to balance the malts and provide for some complexity. There are hints of some sweetness from the malt, with a little coffee flavor. There is a nice mix of hop and malt influence in the after taste.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, and with a good body.
Overall: This is an interesting porter. I would buy a case of this.
★ 724 characters
Drank a couple of pint glasses from a tap.
Appearance: Very dark almost black, with nice brown head. The head lasted a very long time, and left a nice coating on the inside of the glass.
Smell: Pleasant, with a nice balance. Can smell the hops, coffee, and roasted malts, but none of the aromas dominate the others.
Taste: A nice mix of hops and malts, and with a hint of roasted coffee. The hops are just enough to balance the malts and provide for some complexity. There are hints of some sweetness from the malt, with a little coffee flavor. There is a nice mix of hop and malt influence in the after taste.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, and with a good body.
Overall: This is an interesting porter. I would buy a case of this.
★ 724 characters
4.5/5 rDev +9.5%
Pours black with a tan head, after a vigorous pour left a one finger head that receded fairly quick, left a moderate amount of lacing behind.
Smells smokey, and hints of coffee.
Definitely a lot of smoke in this flavor, smoked malts and deep coffee, espresso even. Very smooth, no off flavors, and the bitterness doesn't run rampant.
Medium-full bodied, leaves a bit of an oily feel, mild carbonation.
This is quite a pleasing porter, and I think I'll be checking out other Mayflower brews very soon.
★ 505 characters
Pours black with a tan head, after a vigorous pour left a one finger head that receded fairly quick, left a moderate amount of lacing behind.
Smells smokey, and hints of coffee.
Definitely a lot of smoke in this flavor, smoked malts and deep coffee, espresso even. Very smooth, no off flavors, and the bitterness doesn't run rampant.
Medium-full bodied, leaves a bit of an oily feel, mild carbonation.
This is quite a pleasing porter, and I think I'll be checking out other Mayflower brews very soon.
★ 505 characters
4.25/5 rDev +3.4%
Poured an opaque dark chocolate color with a 1F head in a Stone Imperial pint glass.
Aroma: chocolate, a hint of vanilla, and roasted malt. One of the best aromas I have experienced in a Porter.
The aroma transitions well to the taste: mostly roasted malt, with some chocolate.
The finish is slightly hoppy- unusual in a Porter.
Overall: one of the best porters I have tasted. The style can be lackluster in aroma and taste, and the body can sometimes be too thin. This excellent brew has character.
★ 502 characters
Poured an opaque dark chocolate color with a 1F head in a Stone Imperial pint glass.
Aroma: chocolate, a hint of vanilla, and roasted malt. One of the best aromas I have experienced in a Porter.
The aroma transitions well to the taste: mostly roasted malt, with some chocolate.
The finish is slightly hoppy- unusual in a Porter.
Overall: one of the best porters I have tasted. The style can be lackluster in aroma and taste, and the body can sometimes be too thin. This excellent brew has character.
★ 502 characters
5/5 rDev +21.7%
The. Best. Porter. What more needs to be said? I live about 15 minutes from the brewery and get a growler of this about once a week. Beyond delicious, so well balanced, toasted with a little note of coffee at the end. Perfectly roasted!
★ 236 characters
The. Best. Porter. What more needs to be said? I live about 15 minutes from the brewery and get a growler of this about once a week. Beyond delicious, so well balanced, toasted with a little note of coffee at the end. Perfectly roasted!
★ 236 characters
4.25/5 rDev +3.4%
Pours a black body with a thin tan head.
Aroma has a roasty, chocolate smell to it.
taste is roasted malt up front followed by coffee and chocolate.
mouthfeel is smooth and over all a good porter m
★ 197 characters
Pours a black body with a thin tan head.
Aroma has a roasty, chocolate smell to it.
taste is roasted malt up front followed by coffee and chocolate.
mouthfeel is smooth and over all a good porter m
★ 197 characters
4.04/5 rDev -1.7%
A-dark brown black color with a decent light brown head and a little lacing
S-dark malt, coffee, chocolate, light char
T-dark chocolate, dark roasted malt, coffee, light char, vanilla, light caramel
F-light to medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth, creamy
O-good flavor and lighter body, nice for the style
★ 318 characters
A-dark brown black color with a decent light brown head and a little lacing
S-dark malt, coffee, chocolate, light char
T-dark chocolate, dark roasted malt, coffee, light char, vanilla, light caramel
F-light to medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth, creamy
O-good flavor and lighter body, nice for the style
★ 318 characters
3.64/5 rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Bottled March '14.
Very dark brown. Fully opaque. Forms a large tan head that takes a while to settle down. Leaves some spotty lacing on the way down. Aroma is dark toasty-roasty malts with some lighter notes of pine. Taste is comprised of deeply roasted malts, baking chocolate, and a hint of vanilla. Not sure if it is the age of the beer, but unfortunately, this beer is heavily over carbonated, giving it a lighter body than it should have and thinning out the taste. Overall, I could see this beer having potential, but the carbonation is far too lively for this to be a world-class beer.
★ 594 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Bottled March '14.
Very dark brown. Fully opaque. Forms a large tan head that takes a while to settle down. Leaves some spotty lacing on the way down. Aroma is dark toasty-roasty malts with some lighter notes of pine. Taste is comprised of deeply roasted malts, baking chocolate, and a hint of vanilla. Not sure if it is the age of the beer, but unfortunately, this beer is heavily over carbonated, giving it a lighter body than it should have and thinning out the taste. Overall, I could see this beer having potential, but the carbonation is far too lively for this to be a world-class beer.
★ 594 characters
Mayflower Porter from Mayflower Brewing Company
4.11
out of 5
based on 721 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Ah, one of the absolute best American-made porters I've ever had the opportunity to imbibe (and which I have done so frequently, I might add!), now available in cans. It's a beautiful time to be a New England craft beer fan, to be sure. Mayflower's outstanding porter makes a flawless jump to the aluminum playing field and I, for one, am glad to be supporting this new movement.
Pours a very deep brown with ruby highlights, bearing an interminable khaki head with mild, spotty lacing. Reduces to a half-finger after about ten minutes. Body is mostly translucent but bears slight edges of coloration if held up to particularly bright light. Absolutely gorgeous.
Nose is multifaceted with notes of candied pecans, roasty malts, coffee, cocoa powder, doughy yeast and bready, toffee-leaning malts. Absolutely a dark beer lover's dream, and at only 5.5%! Pinch me. Very light touch of diacetyl (to style) helps highlight some of the sweeter notes here, with some caramel tones coming through lightly. Can detect a very slight hint of herbal and grassy English hops as well, alongside a very slight peat smoke component, which comes from a small amount of peated malt added in the grist. Overall, this is definitely one of the best smelling dark beers I've ever had the pleasure of spending time with. And all this without any extra ingredients. Malt mastery at hand here!
Flavor is deep, dark, round and roasty with a lot of complex malt character coming out, especially if the beer is allowed to warm to nearly-room temperature. Alternating waves of nutty toffee, pecan, caramel, brown bread and herbal notes, the latter of which is likely due to utilization of Glacier hops. Both of the hops (Pilgrim and Glacier) used in this beer are dual-purpose varietals of very different acid profiles, allowing both to shine in their own way. I love the combination of herbal, woody, smoky and malty flavors here and consider this the high water mark of widely-distributed New England porter beer.
Feel is soft, round and supple with low-medium carbonation and a very smooth feel. This is about as close to nitro as you can get without actually getting there, and it's brilliant. Suits itself well to a can and to a Summer barbecue/bonfire or early-Autumn pig roast. Plan accordingly so you can get some sixers of this and host your own. This is legitimately one of the best dark beers made in New England, and it makes that statement without hype, as it's done so for about 8 years. Pure excellence!
★ 2,494 characters