Anvil Porter | French Broad Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
French Broad Brewing Co.
North Carolina, United States | website
Style: English Porter
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.00%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by atsprings on 11-18-2010
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 36 | Ratings: 124
4.6/5 rDev +24.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Great with Willapoint Osyters. Price was right and the brewery local. Would certainly like to try as a draft. Crisp without an after-taste with oysters. Will certainly drink again.
★ 180 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Great with Willapoint Osyters. Price was right and the brewery local. Would certainly like to try as a draft. Crisp without an after-taste with oysters. Will certainly drink again.
★ 180 characters
3.79/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a black color. 1/3 inch head of a tan color. Good retention and decent lacing. Smells of sweet malt, chocolate, hint of roasted malt, slight alcohol, and a hint of piney hops. Fits the style of an English Porter. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of chocolate, strong sweet malt, hint of roasted malt, hint of oatmeal, hint of piney hops, and sight alcohol. Overall, very chocolaty (almost like chocolate cake), but not cloyingly sweet. Decent blend and good body.
★ 516 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a black color. 1/3 inch head of a tan color. Good retention and decent lacing. Smells of sweet malt, chocolate, hint of roasted malt, slight alcohol, and a hint of piney hops. Fits the style of an English Porter. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of chocolate, strong sweet malt, hint of roasted malt, hint of oatmeal, hint of piney hops, and sight alcohol. Overall, very chocolaty (almost like chocolate cake), but not cloyingly sweet. Decent blend and good body.
★ 516 characters
3.25/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
French Broad Anvil Porter has a thin, beige head, a dark brown, almost black, appearance, and very little lacing left on the glass. The aroma is of dark malt, coffee, and chocolate. Taste is of the same with some caramel, a bit of char, and brown bread crust. Bitterness is relatively low. The mouthfeel is rather watery, and French Broad Anvil Porter finishes powdery and easily drinkable. Guinness Extra Stout is a much better value, but this is nice, anyway.
RJT
★ 467 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
French Broad Anvil Porter has a thin, beige head, a dark brown, almost black, appearance, and very little lacing left on the glass. The aroma is of dark malt, coffee, and chocolate. Taste is of the same with some caramel, a bit of char, and brown bread crust. Bitterness is relatively low. The mouthfeel is rather watery, and French Broad Anvil Porter finishes powdery and easily drinkable. Guinness Extra Stout is a much better value, but this is nice, anyway.
RJT
★ 467 characters
3.83/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a bomber into a shaker pint, the beer is a jet black coloring with hazelnut highlights, and a frothy, low profile, light tan head. Nose of cocoa nibs, roasted coffee, and subtle cream highlights. Flavors are roasted and bitter cocoa nib forward, with a bitter coffee undertone. Thin, dry body, with a bittersweet aftertaste. The finish is heavily roasted, lingering on a dry, smooth feel. Solid representation of the Porter style.
★ 442 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a bomber into a shaker pint, the beer is a jet black coloring with hazelnut highlights, and a frothy, low profile, light tan head. Nose of cocoa nibs, roasted coffee, and subtle cream highlights. Flavors are roasted and bitter cocoa nib forward, with a bitter coffee undertone. Thin, dry body, with a bittersweet aftertaste. The finish is heavily roasted, lingering on a dry, smooth feel. Solid representation of the Porter style.
★ 442 characters
4.02/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
22 ounce bottle poured into snifter
A - deep black with a two inch caramel colored head , not much retention, good lacing
S - subtle nose, rich chocolate and honey notes along with fresh baked cookies.
T - chocolate, caramel, toffee, roasted nuts with a clean sweet finish.
M - thinner than I would have thought, but pretty yummy
O - good, but not great offering, maybe just a smidgen too sweet.
★ 400 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
22 ounce bottle poured into snifter
A - deep black with a two inch caramel colored head , not much retention, good lacing
S - subtle nose, rich chocolate and honey notes along with fresh baked cookies.
T - chocolate, caramel, toffee, roasted nuts with a clean sweet finish.
M - thinner than I would have thought, but pretty yummy
O - good, but not great offering, maybe just a smidgen too sweet.
★ 400 characters
3.32/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Poured from a 650 ml bottle into a tumbler.
A: Black. Pours a 1+ finger, foamy, tan head. Settles slowly, and lingers. Light lacing.
S: Coffee, dark chocolate, and fresh tea.
T: Candied malt. Raisin, caramel, and a little peat.
M: Thick and hearty. Has something of a synthetic feeling sweetness that lingers on the palate.
D: Sessionable.
Atmosphere is okay. Fair head, and some light lacing. Nose is characteristic of the style... coffee and chocolate most notably. Roasted malt, with some unusual fruity sweetness and a bit of unwelcome pungency. Overall, this is an okay quaff.
★ 587 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Poured from a 650 ml bottle into a tumbler.
A: Black. Pours a 1+ finger, foamy, tan head. Settles slowly, and lingers. Light lacing.
S: Coffee, dark chocolate, and fresh tea.
T: Candied malt. Raisin, caramel, and a little peat.
M: Thick and hearty. Has something of a synthetic feeling sweetness that lingers on the palate.
D: Sessionable.
Atmosphere is okay. Fair head, and some light lacing. Nose is characteristic of the style... coffee and chocolate most notably. Roasted malt, with some unusual fruity sweetness and a bit of unwelcome pungency. Overall, this is an okay quaff.
★ 587 characters
3.63/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
a - poured a one finger thick creamy tan head into a snifter that left thin sheeting throughout. the body was dark brown near black.
s - hints of chocolate and caramel with a little nuttiness.
t - caramel then some bittersweet chocolate and a hint of roast.
m - creamy but a little thin for the style.
o - good porter but i've had better.
★ 338 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
a - poured a one finger thick creamy tan head into a snifter that left thin sheeting throughout. the body was dark brown near black.
s - hints of chocolate and caramel with a little nuttiness.
t - caramel then some bittersweet chocolate and a hint of roast.
m - creamy but a little thin for the style.
o - good porter but i've had better.
★ 338 characters
3.75/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours mostly black, with a light brown head, no lace, ok lacing. The aroma is nice. Plenty coffee, some chocolate, and roast. Taste has some nice chocolate and roasted malt, lighter coffee notes though. Feel is medium bodied, slight,y higher carbonation. Drinks well, easy.
Really enjoy the coffee aroma, but its nit amazing otherwise. Still a pretty good porter.
★ 365 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours mostly black, with a light brown head, no lace, ok lacing. The aroma is nice. Plenty coffee, some chocolate, and roast. Taste has some nice chocolate and roasted malt, lighter coffee notes though. Feel is medium bodied, slight,y higher carbonation. Drinks well, easy.
Really enjoy the coffee aroma, but its nit amazing otherwise. Still a pretty good porter.
★ 365 characters
3.76/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A: The beer is close to being jet black in color as it has traces of amber near the edges of the glass when held up to a bright light. It poured with a half finger high beige head that died own, leaving a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: Light aromas of dark roasted malts are present in the nose along with hints of coffee.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but also has slight hints of sweetness and hints of caramel malts.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and a little thin on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The light-bodied nature of this porter makes it very east to drink. I would have no problem drinking several of these in one sitting.
★ 688 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A: The beer is close to being jet black in color as it has traces of amber near the edges of the glass when held up to a bright light. It poured with a half finger high beige head that died own, leaving a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: Light aromas of dark roasted malts are present in the nose along with hints of coffee.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but also has slight hints of sweetness and hints of caramel malts.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and a little thin on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The light-bodied nature of this porter makes it very east to drink. I would have no problem drinking several of these in one sitting.
★ 688 characters
3.76/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poors a dark dark resin. Starts off with a really friendly smell. You get some sweet (sugary) notes along with the advertised chocolates. Taste is a little better than expected. Roasted malts are present along with the chocolate. Nutty toffee is also present. Its much thinner than you would typically expect, which makes you think that it might be watery or of poorer quality.
This is a pretty decent porter. Like the review I posted for the Wee-heavier, it seems like a good warm up beer or a good starter. Its not bold by any means, but does have some great flavors (particularly the roasted malts and chocolates) going on.
★ 628 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poors a dark dark resin. Starts off with a really friendly smell. You get some sweet (sugary) notes along with the advertised chocolates. Taste is a little better than expected. Roasted malts are present along with the chocolate. Nutty toffee is also present. Its much thinner than you would typically expect, which makes you think that it might be watery or of poorer quality.
This is a pretty decent porter. Like the review I posted for the Wee-heavier, it seems like a good warm up beer or a good starter. Its not bold by any means, but does have some great flavors (particularly the roasted malts and chocolates) going on.
★ 628 characters
3.83/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: Pours an opaque very dark amber in color with some amber highlights and moderate amounts of gentle visible carbonation near the surface. The beer has a finger tall tan head that quickly reduces to a very thin film covering the entire surface of the beer with a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Light to moderate aromas of dark roasted malts with some hints of chocolate and coffee.
T: Upfront there is a light to moderate amount of dark roasted malts with some lighter flavors of bittersweet chocolate and coffee. Just a hint of vanilla, licorice, and caramel. Light amounts of bitterness that fades quickly.
M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth. Maybe just a hint on the thin side.
O: Very enjoyable, I like the different complexities to the flavors/aromas that are slightly sweet but do not contribute overall sweetness to the beer. Pretty easy to drink and well balanced. Definitely one I would have again.
★ 989 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: Pours an opaque very dark amber in color with some amber highlights and moderate amounts of gentle visible carbonation near the surface. The beer has a finger tall tan head that quickly reduces to a very thin film covering the entire surface of the beer with a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Light to moderate aromas of dark roasted malts with some hints of chocolate and coffee.
T: Upfront there is a light to moderate amount of dark roasted malts with some lighter flavors of bittersweet chocolate and coffee. Just a hint of vanilla, licorice, and caramel. Light amounts of bitterness that fades quickly.
M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth. Maybe just a hint on the thin side.
O: Very enjoyable, I like the different complexities to the flavors/aromas that are slightly sweet but do not contribute overall sweetness to the beer. Pretty easy to drink and well balanced. Definitely one I would have again.
★ 989 characters
4.05/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Growler labeled "porter" served in a shaker pint. Beer is dark brown / black with a nice tan head of small bubbles, decent retention, some lacing, moderate to low carbonation.
Aroma is coffee / roasty, a little sweet.
Beer is medium to light in body and sweet with a mild roast with a nice coffee flavor throughout. It is a very drinkable beer. I'd have it again if this were my local beer.
★ 392 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Growler labeled "porter" served in a shaker pint. Beer is dark brown / black with a nice tan head of small bubbles, decent retention, some lacing, moderate to low carbonation.
Aroma is coffee / roasty, a little sweet.
Beer is medium to light in body and sweet with a mild roast with a nice coffee flavor throughout. It is a very drinkable beer. I'd have it again if this were my local beer.
★ 392 characters
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On draft at the brewery.
Poured a near black hue with a one finger foamy tan head. There was good retention and lacing.
The smell featured roasted malt, charcoal and dry black coffee.
The taste followed the aroma and finished with a touch of sweetness.
The mouthfeel was typical of the style.
Overall a tasty, easy drinking porter.
★ 341 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On draft at the brewery.
Poured a near black hue with a one finger foamy tan head. There was good retention and lacing.
The smell featured roasted malt, charcoal and dry black coffee.
The taste followed the aroma and finished with a touch of sweetness.
The mouthfeel was typical of the style.
Overall a tasty, easy drinking porter.
★ 341 characters
2.63/5 rDev -28.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Poured into an E&J Cask & Cream glass on 7/30/12
Dark brown, especially once in the glass. Faded ruby highlights. The head is sandy brown and just shy of two fingers. Retention is thinner, though lacing is good enough.
Roasted chocolate and burnt coffee dregs fill much of the aroma. Drifting about are caramel notes a la cheap Halloween candy. Faint overtones of earth and roasted twang. The flavor, however, is packed with tangy roast with a bitter coffee finish; not much chocolate in this department. The finish is a fussy, crackly medium-light body. Carbonation is full and very fizzy; it's too much for the beer. Roast lingers on the finish.
Overall impression - This is a pedestrian take on the style. Sure, it's easy to drink, but it lacks anything that would set it out in a crowd. Reasonably priced, at least when purchased at the brewery.
★ 852 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Poured into an E&J Cask & Cream glass on 7/30/12
Dark brown, especially once in the glass. Faded ruby highlights. The head is sandy brown and just shy of two fingers. Retention is thinner, though lacing is good enough.
Roasted chocolate and burnt coffee dregs fill much of the aroma. Drifting about are caramel notes a la cheap Halloween candy. Faint overtones of earth and roasted twang. The flavor, however, is packed with tangy roast with a bitter coffee finish; not much chocolate in this department. The finish is a fussy, crackly medium-light body. Carbonation is full and very fizzy; it's too much for the beer. Roast lingers on the finish.
Overall impression - This is a pedestrian take on the style. Sure, it's easy to drink, but it lacks anything that would set it out in a crowd. Reasonably priced, at least when purchased at the brewery.
★ 852 characters
3.95/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: A very dark brown pour with just a tinge of red in it. Good sized fizzy tan head. Fades pretty quickly but leaves a nice 1/4" residual head approximately forever.
S: Smells like milk chocolate and roasted malt. Some caramel or perhaps caramelized sugar. Molasses. Touch of coffee and cream. Hint of earthiness? Or perhaps that's just smoke.
T: Lots of creamy milk chocolate, I assume this must have lactose in it, it tastes like a weaker milk stout. Cocoa with a hint of coffee. A bit of caramel and molasses in there too. Bitter roasted malt and coffee lingers in the aftertaste.
M: A bit thin and watery, but it IS only 6%.
O: A tasty porter for sure. Creamy and chocolaty. Only real downside is that it's a touch thin but it didn't detract too much.
★ 760 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: A very dark brown pour with just a tinge of red in it. Good sized fizzy tan head. Fades pretty quickly but leaves a nice 1/4" residual head approximately forever.
S: Smells like milk chocolate and roasted malt. Some caramel or perhaps caramelized sugar. Molasses. Touch of coffee and cream. Hint of earthiness? Or perhaps that's just smoke.
T: Lots of creamy milk chocolate, I assume this must have lactose in it, it tastes like a weaker milk stout. Cocoa with a hint of coffee. A bit of caramel and molasses in there too. Bitter roasted malt and coffee lingers in the aftertaste.
M: A bit thin and watery, but it IS only 6%.
O: A tasty porter for sure. Creamy and chocolaty. Only real downside is that it's a touch thin but it didn't detract too much.
★ 760 characters
3.65/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a dark brownish black with a half inch of loose, creamy, off white head. The nose is musty with notes of roasted malts and coffee. The flavor is primarily coffee with musty undertones and a faint but rich chocolaty finish. This beer is medium bodied but thin at times; there's very little carbonation.
This is a good porter; to style, but simple. The coffee notes definitely dominate the flavor and the mustiness is off putting but not overwhelming. It's also a little thin for my liking. Overall, it was a good one to try, but it's probably not something I'll seek out again.
★ 583 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a dark brownish black with a half inch of loose, creamy, off white head. The nose is musty with notes of roasted malts and coffee. The flavor is primarily coffee with musty undertones and a faint but rich chocolaty finish. This beer is medium bodied but thin at times; there's very little carbonation.
This is a good porter; to style, but simple. The coffee notes definitely dominate the flavor and the mustiness is off putting but not overwhelming. It's also a little thin for my liking. Overall, it was a good one to try, but it's probably not something I'll seek out again.
★ 583 characters
3.5/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
black with no light shining through at all. Very thick look with a large tan colored head rising up from the bottom and coming to a height of around two inches before finally settling down
good dose of coffee and chocolate was inside here, and that became evident from the very beginning. Lots of roasted malts here with a good bit of sweetness, a bitter dark coffee flavor, mixed in with baker's chocolate. Some nice vanilla maybe in there sweetening it up, but very light. Nice touches of lactose as well in here. Though I have to say I was hoping it would be a little stronger of a flavor, as by the time, it warmed up it started to fade and it all blended together. The finish started as bitter, but faded back to sweet licorice and caramel flavor, odd finish, but still very nice.
★ 787 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
black with no light shining through at all. Very thick look with a large tan colored head rising up from the bottom and coming to a height of around two inches before finally settling down
good dose of coffee and chocolate was inside here, and that became evident from the very beginning. Lots of roasted malts here with a good bit of sweetness, a bitter dark coffee flavor, mixed in with baker's chocolate. Some nice vanilla maybe in there sweetening it up, but very light. Nice touches of lactose as well in here. Though I have to say I was hoping it would be a little stronger of a flavor, as by the time, it warmed up it started to fade and it all blended together. The finish started as bitter, but faded back to sweet licorice and caramel flavor, odd finish, but still very nice.
★ 787 characters
3.85/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Dark brown. Almost black in color, with a tan lacing head.
Smell: Dark chocolate and smoky molasses.
Taste & Mouthfeel: Lighter to medium in mouthfeel. Slight carbonation. Burnt caramel in flavor, along with a semi-sweet chocolate. Thinner in it's tasting.
Overall: Excellent Porter that is done right. Solid.
★ 324 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Dark brown. Almost black in color, with a tan lacing head.
Smell: Dark chocolate and smoky molasses.
Taste & Mouthfeel: Lighter to medium in mouthfeel. Slight carbonation. Burnt caramel in flavor, along with a semi-sweet chocolate. Thinner in it's tasting.
Overall: Excellent Porter that is done right. Solid.
★ 324 characters
2.83/5 rDev -23.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Pours a deep, dark brown with effectively no light penetration. Small, quickly dissipating tan head leaves no lace behind.
Smell is toasted malts, coffee, light hops and perhaps a burnt sugar note.
Taste is strong on coffee and burnt malt. A somewhat acidic, almost metallic note.
A surprisingly thin body with a sharp, tangy effervescence on the tip of the tongue. Watery. Fortunately this was not an over-hopped West Coast style American porter.. Sadly, it just wasn't that good. The pour was the high point.
★ 510 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Pours a deep, dark brown with effectively no light penetration. Small, quickly dissipating tan head leaves no lace behind.
Smell is toasted malts, coffee, light hops and perhaps a burnt sugar note.
Taste is strong on coffee and burnt malt. A somewhat acidic, almost metallic note.
A surprisingly thin body with a sharp, tangy effervescence on the tip of the tongue. Watery. Fortunately this was not an over-hopped West Coast style American porter.. Sadly, it just wasn't that good. The pour was the high point.
★ 510 characters
3.12/5 rDev -15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured into a pint glass.
3.0 A: Black color. First pour gave me a huge head and the second pour resulted in two fingers of tan, foamy soda pop-like head. Retention was not good, but the last quarter inch made a good effort to stick around londer. Sparse and irregular lacing.
3.5 S: Dry, cocoa powder chocolate vibe. Roasty with hints of coffee. Minor crystal malt sweetness. Pleasant, but simple and borderline boring.
3.0 T: Taste is like the nose. Calm, simple, and reserved. Cocoa powder again is the frontrunner with roast, coffee, and crystal sweetness to follow. No sign of hops again.
3.0 M: Light body. Carbonation is a good bit higher than what is preferred. Not creamy at all, but smooth.
3.0 D: I'm not pissed that I'm drinking this, but I really doubt I'll ever buy another bottle. There's too many good beers out there to drink a boring one.
★ 861 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured into a pint glass.
3.0 A: Black color. First pour gave me a huge head and the second pour resulted in two fingers of tan, foamy soda pop-like head. Retention was not good, but the last quarter inch made a good effort to stick around londer. Sparse and irregular lacing.
3.5 S: Dry, cocoa powder chocolate vibe. Roasty with hints of coffee. Minor crystal malt sweetness. Pleasant, but simple and borderline boring.
3.0 T: Taste is like the nose. Calm, simple, and reserved. Cocoa powder again is the frontrunner with roast, coffee, and crystal sweetness to follow. No sign of hops again.
3.0 M: Light body. Carbonation is a good bit higher than what is preferred. Not creamy at all, but smooth.
3.0 D: I'm not pissed that I'm drinking this, but I really doubt I'll ever buy another bottle. There's too many good beers out there to drink a boring one.
★ 861 characters
3.68/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle received in trade.
Pours a strong dark coffee bean color with a small cocoa head.
Aroma of roasted malts, some molasses and chocolate.
Taste is on par with what I was expecting. A nice bittersweet chocolate flavor with roasted malts and a light smoke presence. It finishes dry and sweet and was easy to drink. Overall a nice American Porter.
Medium bodied with a medium on the higher side carbonation.
★ 413 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle received in trade.
Pours a strong dark coffee bean color with a small cocoa head.
Aroma of roasted malts, some molasses and chocolate.
Taste is on par with what I was expecting. A nice bittersweet chocolate flavor with roasted malts and a light smoke presence. It finishes dry and sweet and was easy to drink. Overall a nice American Porter.
Medium bodied with a medium on the higher side carbonation.
★ 413 characters
3.18/5 rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a dark brown color and a thick consistency. There was an inch and a half of tan-colored, foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Pretty good lacing.
S: A slightly muted aroma of malt, coffee, and a bit of chocolate.
T: Tasted of malt more than anything, with traces of coffee and chocolate. Mainly, this beer was a bit thin and watery. Not nearly bold enough to be interesting.
M: A decent amount of carbonation with a slick, watery finish. Medium-bodied.
O: This is, for the most part an average beer. Hardly the worst I've ever had, but not very good either.
★ 602 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a dark brown color and a thick consistency. There was an inch and a half of tan-colored, foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Pretty good lacing.
S: A slightly muted aroma of malt, coffee, and a bit of chocolate.
T: Tasted of malt more than anything, with traces of coffee and chocolate. Mainly, this beer was a bit thin and watery. Not nearly bold enough to be interesting.
M: A decent amount of carbonation with a slick, watery finish. Medium-bodied.
O: This is, for the most part an average beer. Hardly the worst I've ever had, but not very good either.
★ 602 characters
4.2/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dirty chestnut/mahogany with a poinky of mocha colored head. Good head retention & lacing
S: Smokeyness & & roastyness
T: Follows the nose, some vanilla & herbal hop notes as well up front. Dryness & woody hops as this warms, plus roastyness & some chcolate & minty notes. Finishes with choclatey & smokey notes, dry oakyness as well
MF: Medium bodied, slight carbonation & oilyness
A good porter, that stays true to style. One of the best beers I've had while visiting NC this time!
★ 496 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dirty chestnut/mahogany with a poinky of mocha colored head. Good head retention & lacing
S: Smokeyness & & roastyness
T: Follows the nose, some vanilla & herbal hop notes as well up front. Dryness & woody hops as this warms, plus roastyness & some chcolate & minty notes. Finishes with choclatey & smokey notes, dry oakyness as well
MF: Medium bodied, slight carbonation & oilyness
A good porter, that stays true to style. One of the best beers I've had while visiting NC this time!
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4.2/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured a deeply roasted chesnut brown with a ceeamy-like beige colored head,a great pour.Roasted nuts and coffee dominate the nose,bittersweet chocolate underneath,the aromas are spectacular!Just a little light in the feel,not anything major but if this was spot this beer to me would be off the charts.Roast and more roast on the palate with sweet caramel malt playing a small role,roasted nuts and deep roast coffee really meld in nicely.This is a great porter,I would love to try this on an engine,its complex and very flavorful.
★ 532 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured a deeply roasted chesnut brown with a ceeamy-like beige colored head,a great pour.Roasted nuts and coffee dominate the nose,bittersweet chocolate underneath,the aromas are spectacular!Just a little light in the feel,not anything major but if this was spot this beer to me would be off the charts.Roast and more roast on the palate with sweet caramel malt playing a small role,roasted nuts and deep roast coffee really meld in nicely.This is a great porter,I would love to try this on an engine,its complex and very flavorful.
★ 532 characters
Anvil Porter from French Broad Brewing Co.
3.7
out of 5
based on 124 ratings.
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
22oz bottle into a snifter
No bottling dates
A: Pours an opaque black, large tan colored head has good mention, leaves a decent amount of lacing. 4.25
S: Aroma is heavy chocolate, slight coffee, subtle cream, significant roasted malt. Very nice. 4.25
T: Not as good as the aroma but still good. Significant semi-sweet Cocoa, roasted malt, lots of lactose like cream. 3.75
M/D: Lighter bodies, very heavy carbonation, drinkability is ok. Too light and too bubbly for my tastes. 3.25
O: Good beer. 3.75
★ 514 characters