Chocolate Porter
Horseheads Brewing Inc.

Lone_Freighter from Vermont

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a glass mug.
The appearance was a nice looking dark brown color close to black with a sly finger's worth of white foamy head sliding off fairly nice. Sliding lace.
The aroma had a huge milk chocolate sweetness up front with some light notes of caramel and coffee tones. Slight roast.
The flavor leaned towards the sweet side with the milk chocolate pummeling some of the bitter notes that tried to come out. Slight aftertaste of milk chocolate.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sessionability about it. Good carbonation and ABV. Fine sweet smooth milk chocolate finish.
Overall, a very nice dessert porter. I'd have again.

Sep 16, 2018

PhillyB from New York

4.15/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A favorite in my household (we can get it straight from the brewery), it is also served at several local restaurants and bars. Not as good from a bottle.

Look: Dark beer with a solid and creamy head.

Smell: Exactly as the name suggests. Chocolate. Also a slight malt/grain.

Taste: Same as the smell. Chocolate with a slight malt.

Feel: Creamy, but fades rather quickly.

Overall: A growler of this shows up at almost every party we attend. Either we bring it or somebody else does!

Jan 03, 2016

papat444 from Canada

3.59/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bomber, no freshness info.

Appearance: 3 fingers of light tan head sit atop a completely black body, some lacing left behind and a fat creamy ring left.

Smell: Rich chocolate, brownies, nice but could have more intensity.

Taste: Mix of chocolate syrup, milk chocolate, creamy, some cocoa.

Mouthfeel: Initial sip is full but as soon as i swallow, no lingering feeling.

Overall: An average porter that does have chocolate but it`s one -dimensional and the feel could be fuller. Good but not great.

Aug 07, 2013

keithmurray from Connecticut

4.65/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance - mahogany with tan head

Smell - Cocoa powder is most prominent, vanilla bean, smells like dessert

Taste - The flavor on this lives up to its namesake, chocolate is most prominent, a bit of roasted coffee bean is in there along with some hops to balance things out

mouthfeel - sweetness upfront, medium bodied, medium carbonation, enough hop bitterness to counteract the sweetness

Overall - this is a really good porter, I am glad that it lived up to its namesake with plenty of chocolate goodness in the flavor profile. That'd be great if this is ever released in 6 packs in the future.

Price Point - $5.99/22oz bottle

Mar 10, 2013

GreesyFizeek from New York

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Sample at the brewery.

Pours a cleark dark brown, almost black. One inch head, not much lacing.

Aroma include bitter dark chocolate, roasted malt, and a bit of vanilla.

Similar taste. Cocoa powder all over this, with some dark chocolate as well. Some vanilla-like creaminess, and a little bit of bitter hop flavor. A medium amount of roasty bitterness as well.

Medium bodied, creamy mouthfeel, low carbonation.

Horseheads is quietly a great brewery, and this is another example.

Mar 06, 2013

tviz33 from New York

4.36/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a Horseheads growler filled right from the brewery, served in to a nonic pint glass.

A- Pours a nearly black body with one finger worth of light brown head and light lacing.

S- Smells so good I actually stuck my nose in it trying to get more. Lots of chocolate, roastiness, and a little coffee. It's everything you want on the nose.

T- Fairly sweet with a dark chocolate taste up front, but extremely balanced. Just the right amount of hops. This could go down all night.

M- A solid medium-bodied brew with a creamy mouthfeel that goes down so smooth. Adequate carbonation.

O- This is all that it is hyped up to be. Worthy of the 2012 TAP NY bronze medal.

Feb 03, 2013

jsanford from Georgia

3.54/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Courtesy of THE CPJ. Cheers!

Pours a fairly dark black with brown edges and a dense mocha head. Overcarbed like hell, needed to pour VERY slowly. Still lost a good chunk of the bottle to foam-over. Nice aromas of chocolate, vanilla, caramel, and roasted malt. Nice and chocolatey, and fairly authentic. Reminds me of a candy bar, definitely. Taste consists of more chocolate (of the darker variety this time, not as sweet as the nose suggested), dark malt, and some roasted nuts. Pretty nice, and the bitter chocolate finish is a good touch. Mouthfeel is a bit thinner and sharped then I like, wish this was a bit creamier. Dunno why this was so badly over-carbed, the temperature was low and I'm not getting any infection. I'd like to try a different bottle, but overall still a nice Porter.

Aug 30, 2012

ppoitras from Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle purchased as a single from Byrne Dairy in Syracuse by the fairgrounds.

Poured into an imperial pint, formed a 1/4" dark brown head over the opaque dark brown/black brew. Head holds status quo for a long time, with lasting lace. Aroma is smoky yet sweet chocolate.

Taste continues with the sweet chocolate, but gives a slight off tartness in the middle, then chills out through the close with dark malts and a touch of bitterness. Mouthfeel is smooth, and drinkability is pretty good. If that tart didn't rear it's ugly head, I'd be all over this.

Aug 19, 2012

1Adam12 from Indiana

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Well, I wasn't supposed to drink for a few days due to supposed to be getting a vasectomy tomorrow, however, due to circumstances, I canceled the appointment and decided to open this. Thanks to Cuzco for this extra.

Pours a rich looking black with a tan head. Smells sweet. Nice milk chocolate, and more than expected vanilla on the nose. Mmmm, vanilla. Taste follows the nose. Chocolate and vanilla. If this had a fuller mouthfeel, it would be outstanding, but it runs a bit thin. Still really good, and very smooth. This is going down way too fast. Overall, I'm really glad I was able to try this. I would drink it again in a heartbeat. Thanks Cuzco!

May 23, 2012

match1112 from Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a: pours dark brown but settles pitch black. three fingers of mocha colored head. excelllent lacing and retention.

s: milk chocolate, roasted coffee, hint of vanilla.

t: all the above plus a nice addition of hops bitterness on the finish.

m: rich and creamy on the start and finish, however seems to thin out in the middle.

o: very nice! gets better as it got closer to room temperature.

thanks to laxer8811 for sending this!

May 08, 2012

SLeffler27 from New York

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The chestnut head is creamy on top and rocky below. Initially dark brown, but actually black, there is a thin film and patchy lace on my Dogfish Head snifter.

Sweet malted chocolate, and oddly some white wine notes, are accompanied by floral scents.

Initially sweet, but quickly followed by bitter, black coffee. Bittersweet chocolate is here and the flavors progress in waves. The finish is sharp, followed by subtle lingering bitterness and hints of fruit.

Silky with a medium to light body that coats. Alcohol is more prominent than anticipated, while carbonation is soft and lively.

Would easily pair with friends and an afternoon of finger food. While certainly not a show-stopper, Horseheads has a staple offering her.

Jan 29, 2012

mikesgroove from South Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

dark, but obviously clear brown, almost black. Very large tan head graced the top, eventually faded down to just a slight ring around the outside of the glass. No glass lace and little carbonation,.Smell very sweet, lots of caramel and roasted coffee, a touch of chocolate perhaps. Very nice light feel. Good carbonation kept it feeling alive and allowed the flavors to really pop. Nice burnt caramel sugar and a touch of chocolate. Very nice dry piney hopped finish.

Nov 24, 2011

Cuzco from New York

4.62/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Split the bottle with drewd0g tonight.

Appearance: dark brown beer with an off-white head that left a small amount of lacing around the glass.

Smell: Fantastic smell of chocolate and dark malts. Just a faint hint of vanilla in there as well.

Taste: The taste of this beer is the best part about it. It mimics the smell excellently but takes it to another level. The chocolate and malts are blended excellently. If a candy bar and a porter ever had a child together it would taste like Horseheads Chocolate Porter.

Mouthfeel: This one is a bit fuller bodied than many porters I have had but it works well here and balances the chocolate sweetness.

Overall: If you have a chance to try this beer do it, you will be happy you did.

Oct 27, 2011

EgadBananas from Louisiana

3.77/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to rageagainst123 for the local! Thanks Ryan!

Black, and it's solid. Head was about a finger and a half, medium mocha in color.. Dissipates to a film; leaves some decent lace in it's wake.

Aroma is sweet and chocolaty. More of a raw, bakers chocolate though. Theres a touch of coffee as well. Roasted malts, and a tinge of hops.

Taste is nicely roasty, with bittersweet chocolate, light coffee, and pleasant sweetness.

The feel is creamy, solid medium in body, low carbonation (though present for sure). Finish is clean.

Overall, a very nice choco-porter. Drinkability is good!

May 14, 2011

lovindahops from New York

4.01/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Final brew for the evening. Gotta end with horseheads!!!

A- darkness and opaque. Great mocha foam. Shaping up to be a heckuva porter with the thick foam all over. I am liking this!

S- sweet chocolate and malt. Even a little roast. It's almost swirled in order to establish the flavor

T- chocolate nibs, roasty malt, sweet chocolate... As advertised, this is thee valentines beer. A great combination of flavor that is balanced and yummy

M- creamy and medium bodied with approachable thickness. Great coating flavor

D- horseheads delivers with a great drinkable porter. I will always look forward to grasping a flavorful mix of chocolate and moderately roasty flavor

Apr 09, 2011

mdaschaf from Indiana

3.53/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to DmanGTR for this one! Review from notes 11/20/10.

A: Pours a dark brown with a two finger tan head with good retention and nice lacing.

S: Lots of roasted malts and chocolate.

T: Has a nice chocolate flavor with some dark fruit, a little espresso and coffee. There are some roasted malts as well. Has a bitter finish.

M/D: Medium bodied, a bit on the thicker side. Low carbonation, but creamy. Overall its pretty good besides the finish.

Feb 02, 2011

Murchmac from California

3.2/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thanks to Lum for the opportunity to try this beer.

Pours a dark brown with a khaki head.

Smells of beer and chocolate. Some roast to it.

Kind of a one note beer. Not a lot of chocolate but its not going to throw out any off flavors or anything at ya. Not great but fine.

May 31, 2010

JAramini from New York

3.49/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bomber purchased from the Village Beer Merchant in Buffalo, from what I understand one of the few places it can be purchased outside of the brewery/Horseheads, NY.

The pour is promising, pitch black, substantial tan head that recedes quickly to a persistent, thin ring.

Aroma is not strong. A little bit of roast, a little bit of caramel.

The taste follows suit. It is pleasant and mild. Some roasted malts with a bit of bitterness in the finish. Not particularly chocolatey.

Mouthfeel is appropriate for the style, medium-full.

I've been impressed by most of the offerings at Horseheads, but this one, unfortunately, is not overly impressive. It's a perfectly serviceable, drinkable porter. Beyond that, it's not a standout beer. Worth drinking but not worth going out of the way for.

Feb 28, 2010

yesyouam from New York

2.86/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Horseheads Chocolate Porter is a black beer with a foamy, light brown head that has excellent retention and lacing. It has a roasted coffee and chocolate aroma with a metallic note. It's medium bodied and a little scratchy. It leaves the teeth gritty. It has a roasty flavor. Chocolate is detected, along with coffee. The metallic taste is pretty distracting. More chocolate and less metal, please.

Feb 21, 2010

Hojaminbag from Colorado

3.4/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Horseheads Chocolate Porter has a dark brown body with a light brown head that rises slowly to become at least two fingers tall. Solid retention and some nice lacing is left behind.

The aroma unleashes a bunch of roasted malt and semi-sweet chocolate, along with some dark fruitiness.

The flavor has a lot of semi-sweet chocolate that mixes with a good dose of dark fruits. Bitter, roasted malts with a touch of coffee also show up in there. The finish and after taste are a little bit off though; there is a slight metallic taste mixed in with straight cocoa powder and a dash of hops. Before the metallic taste this beer is definitely a winner, but that finish does hurt the flavor.

The mouthfeel is a little thick for a porter, with low carbonation making the fullness even more noticeable. I kind of like it though, nice and creamy, like I would expect any kind of chocolate drink to be.

The more I think about the aftertaste the more I think it might just be a ton of raw cocoa and not an actual metallic flavor; either way, it seems metallic to me. It isn't really enough to make me pan this beer overall, as it's not bad, but I'll say that it isn't my favorite from Horseheads.

Feb 18, 2010

cvstrickland from North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From the cheesy out-of-focus chocolate bar depicted on the label to the plain silver crown atop the bottle, this brew is one of those that immediately makes me think (hope) that the brewer was focusing hard on the beer inside instead of wasting time and money on some frou-frou embellishments adorning the double-deuce recyclable glass delivery vehicle....

Presented chilled and allowed to temper a bit before the crown-cracking, Horseheads Chocolate Porter pours a rich, oily mahogany with a thick topping of grainy khaki foam atop. As the beer rests in a small tulip glass, the bubble-cap goes nowhere fast, retaining well, slumping like soft pudding against the sidewalls without sticking to the glass in any appreciable amount, save one fat ring and a few errant blobs that refuse to give up the ship.

The aroma is fruity and bitterly burnt-grainy, with notes of juicy plum, dried prunes, and golden raisins accenting a rich, dark, semisweet chocolate backbone sprinkled with fresh coffee grounds. The profile is luscious and more fruity than it is chocolatey, but as the drink warms, more warm malty sweetness in the guise of caramel and toffee joins the chorus, supplementing the dark candy aroma.

The taste is loaded with unsweetened chocolate and laced with tangy molasses, and is augmented by a bit of the same fruity juiciness that predominated the nose. Dark malts masquerading as burnt chocolate and black coffee provide mild, bittering balance and a touch of drying in the finish, but once again, it is the fruitiness that holds center stage. Notes of spicy licorice, fermenting apple, tangy plum, and juicy-sweet pear perfectly counter the mild blackened bitterness of the dark grain and softly-alkaline cocoa lingering in this brew.

The drink is medium-full in body with quite a bit of pleasantly-creamy carbonation, and is quite quaffable, for sure. Could drink these babies all day, any day, despite the inherent homeliness of the packaging. Thanks to my pal Lum for the opportunity!

May 24, 2009

joepais from Maine

3.81/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Israel for sending this along to me. Poured into a dogfish head snifter produced a huge coco colored head that took it time to dissipate. The body was the obligatory black color for a porter

The aromas are huge in the roasted department not to much chocolate in there. No the flavor is where the chocolate comes to play it is real good but not as strong as say southern tier. It starts of sweet at first then finished slightly bitter. It had a good feel in the mouth rather to the thick side with light carbonation on your tongue

A good porter I'd say average in the drinkability. I finished the bomber without many problems ad would go back for more

May 03, 2009

WesWes from New York

3.38/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a deep, dark black color with a thick frothy brown head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a dry roasted malt scent with a sweet chocolate aroma. The taste is average. It has an aggressive cocoa powder flavor that really masks the malt contribution. I was told "some people didn't taste enough chocolate." It's all I can taste. It's sweet with some roasted character. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a pretty good beer, although it could use some further experimentation with the chocolate content. I applaud the concept as well as the release date, Valentine's Day. All in all, not a bad drinker.

Mar 10, 2008