Blackstone Porter
Driftwood Brewery

Blackstone Porter pours into my glass thick, and jet black in color. It supports a rocky, coffee-and-cream colored head with good retention.

The first thing I smell is rich, chocolate sweetness, reminding me of something like a chocolate mousse. Blackstone’s nose has an overall creaminess to it that is very enticing. Somewhere beneath that creaminess is a subtle aroma that I can only describe as ashy. Ashiness is low key enough to add to the overall aroma rather than detract. Blackstone’s finish is gently roasted, just enough to keep that initial sweetness in check.

On the tongue, Blackstone Porter is thick, rich, and luscious, just as a porter should be. Chocolate flavors up front are more bitter sweet, balanced by a pronounced roasted grain quality. Moving towards the center, Blackstone’s flavor becomes briefly creamy again, giving momentary relief from flavors of roasted grain. Flavors of roasted coffee come in towards the finish, blending nicely with roasted grain helping give this porter a pleasantly dry, roasted finish.

This is a very well executed porter. It’s smooth and robust, and robust. And yet, Blackstone Porter is very drinkable.

 

 

Pours a very dark brown with a one finger fluffy tan head that takes it's time to dissipate. The aroma is of cocoa, coffee and faint vanilla sweetness. Taste follows with initial bitter chocolate but with vanilla overtones ... nice mix. The mouthfeel is solid with minimal carbonation. Overall and excellent porter and will be drank again

Lots of black malt here, wish that it had lower ABV.

 

 

 

 

 

Bomber from the LCBO; best before Apr 19 2018 and served slightly chilled. When Fat Tug first showed up in these parts two years back, I had been hoping that more Driftwood brews would soon follow... but this is actually the first new one I've seen in Ontario since.

Pours a deep, opaque mahogany-black hue with reddish highlights; situated atop is a full inch of khaki-coloured, creamy-looking foam that gradually disintegrates over the next five-plus minutes. A smooth, thin cap and collar remain, but little in the way of lacing is left behind. Smells of rich, roasted dark malts, with coffee grounds, molasses, cocoa and a light smokiness standing out, rounded off by light suggestions of dark fruit and vaguely herbal hops. Robust aroma for this style.

A rock solid English-style porter. Or stone solid, whatever - the intense dark roasted malt character that was expressed so effectively on the nose carries through into the flavours. Toasted bread, caramelized sugars and treacle come through amidst pronounced notes of cocoa powder, dark chocolate and espresso. The back end tends towards bittersweet, with hints of coffee and herbal, earthy hop notes helping to counteract the dominance of the malts. Moderately persistent aftertaste, with a hint of smoke and a lingering roasty note. Light-medium in body, with low carbonation that weakly nudges the surface of the palate; feels smooth and a bit watery in the mouth, which is probably it's weakest trait IMO. But it's a forgivable one, because this porter tastes great and drinks like a champ.

Final Grade: 4.17, an A-. Driftwood's Blackstone Porter is one of the best Canadian-made porters I've sampled in quite some time, with a highly satisfying flavour profile that does not skimp out on anything. I am really digging those hints of smoke in particular. It's not likely to unseat my current favourite in this category (Fuller's LP), as it's double the price - but there's no doubt that this is still a fine, robust-flavoured porter that I'd happily recommend to other BAs. I will be buying more of this until the stock runs out.

Pitch black with an amber tinge when held to the light. Topped with 3 fingers of deep, beige head.

Smells of roasted marshmallows, chocolate, toasted notes, and cocoa.

Tastes of coke, chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate milk.

Very smooth, rich textured and pleasant. Medium low carbonation.

Got this at Summerhill LCBO in Toronto, drinking in Muskoka with my brother February 2nd, 2018. Excellent porter, smooth and well rounded.

 

A- This one pours with a beautiful dark brown color that contains just a tinge of reddish hues right around the rim....different than any other porter I've had! The head is also beautiful, being about two fingers thick to start and settling rather softly into a caramel palate over the brew around a half finger in thickness....it is dense and creamy looking to boot! Carbonation is too hard to see and lacing is on the heavy side of modest....there is some artwork forming on the side of my glass. A nice looking porter!

S- Coffee of the black variety, chocolate (dark), lots of sweet and charred malts....I detect the black and chocolate roasts used and the sweetness comes from caramel malt. Woody notes and even a hint of smokiness are noticed on the aroma.....toasted caramel/toffee, blackstrap molasses and creamy mocha round out the finish. Looking forward to tasting this!

T- Heavy smooth dark chocolates, cafe au lait, huge toastiness from the black and chocolate malts, dark toffee sweetness, hints of chocolate covered cherry fruit, hazelnut/walnut/burnt almond robustness, creamy yeast and a finish that is dry and Earthy, yet it has a refreshing mild hop bitterness that just helps keep things in check....it is noticed at the back of my throat. The aftertaste lingers on well after the taste, making me crave yet another sip....

M/O- Super creamy smooth body, the carbonation is tight and simply suits this style of ale, and the alcohol is very well hidden....this is a real treat. Drinkability is high as I could enjoy at least a few of these in a sitting.....could see this being a superior Porter on tap too! I highly recommend and will seek it out again....another great beer by Driftwood!

 

This was poured into an English pint glass. The appearance was a dark brown close to black color with no head or lace. The aroma had some rugged dark to bitter chocolate malts with a nice roasty balance. The flavor lends a hand to the roasty side and then the bitterness of the chocolate nibs end up blending nicely. Robust smooth bitter chocolatey aftertaste running into the finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a fair sessionability about it. Moderate carbonation. ABV felt nicely. Overall, really easy going Porter well worthy of having again.

 

Weak head on top of typical porter elements. Smoke and chocolate with coffee and dark fruit. Something in here was definitely missing to tie everything together. But it was passable for sure.