Midnight Hour Robust Porter
Haymarket Beer Co. Pub & Brewery

 

 

On-tap at Haymarket. Served in a 4oz taster stange.

A - Black body. Served with a finger of tan foam that settles to a thick collar, wispy haze, and a few splotches of lace. I like that the blackness of the body matched the name.

S - Smells really good - like a chocolate orange! Earthy roasted malts, faint coffee too.

T - Uh oh! Has that char and cardboard chocolate malt flavor that I really dislike. Intense roasty bitterness, and definitely not as sweet as the nose. This just isn't my type of porter.

M - Somewhat gritty, slightly overcarbonated (this seems to be status quo at Haymarket). Medium light body, and a dry roasty finish.

D - I just don't like the flavor very much, even though the smell is quite nice. One of my least favorite Haymarket offerings, although I can see others really liking this. Wish it tasted like it smelled.

(Served in a wide-mouth 12 oz. flute)

A- This beer pours a dark dense black body with no light coming through and a creamy tan head that last much of the beer. It is too dense to see any carbonation.

S- This beer has a light fruity quality to the full roasted black malt aroma and some nice coffee roasted aromas in the finish.

T- The rich creamy roasted black malt flavor has some dark chocolate malt behind it and it leads to a nice roasted bitterness in the dry finish that lingers for a bit. There is a soft inky quality to the malt as it opens up but it stays subtle.

M- This beer has as medium mouthfeel with a soft fizz and no real alcohol heat noticed.

D- The full complex porter hangs on the tongue after each sip but it is really drinkable and still smooth. It is a nice easy beer for this cold crappy weather with enough depth to keep it interesting but not overpowering.