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Trooper Red 'n' Black Porter
Robinsons Family Brewers
- From:
- Robinsons Family Brewers
- England, United Kingdom
- Style:
- English Porter
Ranked #94 - ABV:
- 6.8%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #23,321 - Avg:
- 3.68 | pDev: 11.41%
- Reviews:
- 35
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 28, 2023
- Added:
- May 17, 2016
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 21
The beer, designed once again by IRON MAIDEN vocalist and ale aficionado Bruce Dickinson along with Robinsons’ Head Brewer Martyn Weeks, takes its inspiration from a very early Robinsons recipe which was first brewed in the 1850’s; a time when porter style beer was becoming increasingly popular in Britain.
Bruce Dickinson explains: “I like tasting outside the box. Stouts and porters were virgin territory for me so I just went by feel. Martyn and I hope we have created a new take on a classic beer and one which I hope will tickle the taste buds of ale fans in a pleasantly unexpected way.”
At 6.8% in bottle or 5.8% ABV in cask, TROOPER Red ‘N’ Black is the strongest beer in the range to date.
Bruce Dickinson explains: “I like tasting outside the box. Stouts and porters were virgin territory for me so I just went by feel. Martyn and I hope we have created a new take on a classic beer and one which I hope will tickle the taste buds of ale fans in a pleasantly unexpected way.”
At 6.8% in bottle or 5.8% ABV in cask, TROOPER Red ‘N’ Black is the strongest beer in the range to date.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by taxandbeerguy:
Reviewed by taxandbeerguy from Canada (ON)
3.79/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.79/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
500 ml bottle served cold into a pint glass. LCBO purchase for $4.20 CDN.
Appearance - Very dark honey brown, nearing cola and burnt caramel in color. A small half finger of dense, yellowish off white head sits on top, and fizzles away at a moderate pace. No lacing to speak of.
Smell - Dark fruit notes, a hint of booze initially then a suggestion of licorice and molasses.
Taste - Again the dark fruits are the first think I notice with some plum and prune flavors, hints of raisin, and very much has ESB qualities with the healthy dose of English hops and middling bitterness. A little too boozy for the style although Trooper Red N' Black is packing almost 7% ABV. Some caramel and brown sugar toffee-like sweetness.
Mouthfeel - Medium-heavy bodied, just about right on the carbonation and a dry finish.
Overall - This isn't really a porter with the roasty notes, but rather a strong English Ale, with a good amount of bitterness but one that trends towards fruity. King Goblin by Wychwood is an entirely different beer, but probably a good comparison point to get a feel for what you will be tasting. Nonethless, I liked and enjoyed this unique brew.
Jun 01, 2019Appearance - Very dark honey brown, nearing cola and burnt caramel in color. A small half finger of dense, yellowish off white head sits on top, and fizzles away at a moderate pace. No lacing to speak of.
Smell - Dark fruit notes, a hint of booze initially then a suggestion of licorice and molasses.
Taste - Again the dark fruits are the first think I notice with some plum and prune flavors, hints of raisin, and very much has ESB qualities with the healthy dose of English hops and middling bitterness. A little too boozy for the style although Trooper Red N' Black is packing almost 7% ABV. Some caramel and brown sugar toffee-like sweetness.
Mouthfeel - Medium-heavy bodied, just about right on the carbonation and a dry finish.
Overall - This isn't really a porter with the roasty notes, but rather a strong English Ale, with a good amount of bitterness but one that trends towards fruity. King Goblin by Wychwood is an entirely different beer, but probably a good comparison point to get a feel for what you will be tasting. Nonethless, I liked and enjoyed this unique brew.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland
3.63/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.63/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
500 ml bottle poured into a nonic pint glass.
L: Clear brown, dark brown in the glass, one finger khaki head, good retention, leaves small amounts of lace.
S: Very mineral at first, caramel malt taking over after.
T: Light roasted malt, caramel malt, woody hops, moderate bitterness with sweetness a bit higher, getting some tobacco flavor later in the glass.
F: Medium body is soft and frothy, not quite creamy, carbonation is medium, a little it of astringency.
O: Decent Porter,.
Mar 12, 2023L: Clear brown, dark brown in the glass, one finger khaki head, good retention, leaves small amounts of lace.
S: Very mineral at first, caramel malt taking over after.
T: Light roasted malt, caramel malt, woody hops, moderate bitterness with sweetness a bit higher, getting some tobacco flavor later in the glass.
F: Medium body is soft and frothy, not quite creamy, carbonation is medium, a little it of astringency.
O: Decent Porter,.
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania
4.26/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.26/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Robinsons Brewery "Trooper Red 'N' Black Porter"
16.9 fl. oz. brown glass bottle coded "L2095 18:28"
$7.49 @ Total Wine & More, Claymont, DE
Notes via stream of consciousness: A rough pour has brought up a thumb's width of khaki colored foam atop a very deep mahogany brown body. When you hold it to the light you can see that it's clear, and there are orange and gold highlights here and there. The aroma is grainy, caramel & molasses-like, and very mildly roasty/chocolatey like bittersweet dark chocolate. The flavor follows. It's grainy but not bready, and caramelish with both golden caramel and a darker reddish caramel. The molasses remains and it's a little bit like black licorice. Some dark skinned fruitiness helps to round it out. The chocoate and roastiness is limited, and it seems more like the character of brown malt than anything else. There's a sweetness to it that's kind of like almost burnt sugar that's browned around the edges, or, I guess, just really dark caramel. I'll assume that they've actually used molasses and that's where that's coming from. It's not that bitter either, which of course leaves it a little bit sweet. It finishes dry with the molasses/black licorice note emphasised by a touch of spiciness, some residual fruitiness, and then some leafy, tea-like character emerging as everything else fades. It's quite interesting in my opinion. In the mouth it's medium bodied and smooth with a fine-bubbled, moderate, and seemingly natural carbonation. I'm quite impressed with this one, at least in terms of the Trooper beers. The head held up well and it's left some nice lacing about but it could have been better, and that's my only complaint.
Review #8,556
Mar 03, 202316.9 fl. oz. brown glass bottle coded "L2095 18:28"
$7.49 @ Total Wine & More, Claymont, DE
Notes via stream of consciousness: A rough pour has brought up a thumb's width of khaki colored foam atop a very deep mahogany brown body. When you hold it to the light you can see that it's clear, and there are orange and gold highlights here and there. The aroma is grainy, caramel & molasses-like, and very mildly roasty/chocolatey like bittersweet dark chocolate. The flavor follows. It's grainy but not bready, and caramelish with both golden caramel and a darker reddish caramel. The molasses remains and it's a little bit like black licorice. Some dark skinned fruitiness helps to round it out. The chocoate and roastiness is limited, and it seems more like the character of brown malt than anything else. There's a sweetness to it that's kind of like almost burnt sugar that's browned around the edges, or, I guess, just really dark caramel. I'll assume that they've actually used molasses and that's where that's coming from. It's not that bitter either, which of course leaves it a little bit sweet. It finishes dry with the molasses/black licorice note emphasised by a touch of spiciness, some residual fruitiness, and then some leafy, tea-like character emerging as everything else fades. It's quite interesting in my opinion. In the mouth it's medium bodied and smooth with a fine-bubbled, moderate, and seemingly natural carbonation. I'm quite impressed with this one, at least in terms of the Trooper beers. The head held up well and it's left some nice lacing about but it could have been better, and that's my only complaint.
Review #8,556
Reviewed by beergoot from Colorado
4.26/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.26/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a dark, brownish clear hue, looks like opaque black in the glass; initial thick, frothy, light tan head, soon fades to a thin yet lasting wisp atop the beer; nice, thin sheeting coats the glass. Fantastic aroma; dark chocolate dominates with notes of cocoa. The taste includes milk chocolate with a light dark grain char character; light to medium bitterness; a sly hint of cherry esters. Medium-heavy body; smooth and oily; subtle residual sugar feel.
A very surprising and pleasant porter, rich in chocolate smell and taste elements with just the right touch of bitterness accented with a light suggestion of red pitted fruit esters. Balanced and delicious.
Pouring temperature: 32 °F; bottling info: L2095
Source: local purchase (Coaltrain Fine Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits)
Feb 11, 2023A very surprising and pleasant porter, rich in chocolate smell and taste elements with just the right touch of bitterness accented with a light suggestion of red pitted fruit esters. Balanced and delicious.
Pouring temperature: 32 °F; bottling info: L2095
Source: local purchase (Coaltrain Fine Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits)
Rated by Nass from Florida
3.95/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.95/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
The pour is a chestnut brown color. The taste is roasted malts, caramel, char, earthiness, & some mild raisin. Cheers! B
Jan 29, 2023Reviewed by damndirtyape from Ohio
3.87/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.87/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
1pt, 0.9fl bottle served in a Samuel Smith pint glass. Date stamp on back of bottle: L2095 18:20.
Appearance: Dark coppery-amber. Clear when held up to the light. Thin white head with thick strands of lacing.
Smell: Hint of molasses, minor metallic smell as well along with toasted malts and a bit of that classic English leafy hop aroma.
Taste: Molasses again, toasted malts, tea-like bitter finish. Simple, and a bit on the sweet side.
Mouthfeel: Just right carbonation, slick, and smooth as well. A little sticky on the teeth.
Overall / Drinkability: This did remind me of an English porter. Easily drinkable, and probably something that I could down another of with the right meal. I had it alone after dinner and while I drank it fairly quickly, I did feel that by itself I only wanted one, but again with food, I could see this pairing pretty well with something - maybe breaded/fried fish or something else fried.
Dec 29, 2022Appearance: Dark coppery-amber. Clear when held up to the light. Thin white head with thick strands of lacing.
Smell: Hint of molasses, minor metallic smell as well along with toasted malts and a bit of that classic English leafy hop aroma.
Taste: Molasses again, toasted malts, tea-like bitter finish. Simple, and a bit on the sweet side.
Mouthfeel: Just right carbonation, slick, and smooth as well. A little sticky on the teeth.
Overall / Drinkability: This did remind me of an English porter. Easily drinkable, and probably something that I could down another of with the right meal. I had it alone after dinner and while I drank it fairly quickly, I did feel that by itself I only wanted one, but again with food, I could see this pairing pretty well with something - maybe breaded/fried fish or something else fried.
Reviewed by morimech from Minnesota
3.49/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.49/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
500ml bottle with no date. I sure hope it isn't from 2017 but would not be surprised. Has all the English qualities expected and tastes relatively fresh. Not much for porter qualities like darker malt other than for color. Could be a pale ale if blind tasted. No hops with low bitterness. I like it because it is English, but not much of an English Porter.
Dec 09, 2022Reviewed by trevormajor from Ohio
4.23/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.23/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
2017(?) vntage poured into a snifter at 55 degrees F:
L - dark and oily with a soft tan head that puffed and lingered
S - biscuit and a bit of coffee
T - roasted malt, sugar, molasses
F - thick mouthfeel with a bit of carbonation
O - very nice porter
Aug 26, 2022L - dark and oily with a soft tan head that puffed and lingered
S - biscuit and a bit of coffee
T - roasted malt, sugar, molasses
F - thick mouthfeel with a bit of carbonation
O - very nice porter
Reviewed by janubio from Spain
3.09/5 rDev -16%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.09/5 rDev -16%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Bottle bought at Coriasso's, served at home in a half a ping glass.
Red colour, medium head with long retention, big lacing.
aroma of toffee, some molasses and dried fruits.
Medium body, sticky texture, good carbonation. Sweet finish.
Taste of dried fruits toffee, molasses and a hint of red fruits.
Just good.
May 22, 2021Red colour, medium head with long retention, big lacing.
aroma of toffee, some molasses and dried fruits.
Medium body, sticky texture, good carbonation. Sweet finish.
Taste of dried fruits toffee, molasses and a hint of red fruits.
Just good.
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
3.17/5 rDev -13.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.17/5 rDev -13.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
330 ml bottle, as Robinsons Iron Maiden Trooper Red ’n’ Black Porter, from Vinmonopolet Haugesund. ABV is 6.8%. Mahogany colour, moderate to low off-white to beige head. Malty aroma, hints of caramel, brown bread and dark syrup. Moderately roasty flavour, not too sweet. Mild coffee, a hint of caramel. Dryish hops in the finish.
Apr 19, 2021
Trooper Red 'n' Black Porter from Robinsons Family Brewers
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
103 ratings
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