Awake
Night Shift Brewing

KRug from Massachusetts

3.94/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Canned 2/19/20

Had this one sitting around for a while from my trip to Night Shift earlier in the summer. I love a good porter so I have high hopes here!

Pours a very dark brown with a finger of espresso colored head that fades to a cap quickly and leaves minimal lacing

Tons of roast up front in the aroma. I’m getting rich dark roast coffee, maple, chocolate, and char

Up front I get an interesting balance of smooth vanilla and somewhat harsh roast. This roast lingers long into the finish with notes of drip coffee and toasted malt

With a medium body and relatively no carbonation, one would expect this to drink pretty heavy. Nahh. It’s rather watery for all that’s going on, but that doesn’t take away from the drinkability all that much

This was a solid coffee porter overall, feels very authentic. An enjoyable beer even in the hot, humid weather

Jul 11, 2020

Shiredave from New York

4.06/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Brown and bronze can - I like the owl. December 5, 2019 canning date. It says drink fresh keep refrigerated.
It looks damn good to me. Deep dark chocolate brown, opaque but a ruby glow at the bottom of the goblet when held to the light shines through. A 1/2 inch cap of off white foam erupts from a vigorous pour and remains draped on the glass as I empty it.
Aroma is a bit soft but spot on with distinct chocolate malt and fresh ground coffee beans up front - charred roasted grain aromas with some maple and burnt brown sugar notes to keep your nose in the glass.
Flavors are in line and much the same as the nose would suggest. Good heft of dark malt sugars and flavors of bitter chocolate and sweetened coffee. What tastes like flavoring hops come in - leathery and acidic which lingers after the choco-latte flavors pass. Gassy grassy hop burps. Alcohol presence is noticeable throughout but never rudely.
Body is medium light making this quite quaffably sessionable. Straight up solid robust coffee porter for me. Probably great on tap.
I dont think 6 months is too old at all for this but maybe I'd have liked it even more fresher.

May 17, 2020

Maltyhead from Massachusetts

4.66/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Drank from a 16 ounce can.

Appearance: very dark brown almost black in color, 2” head, medium lacing.

Smell: roasted malt, subtle chocolate and coffee.

Taste: roasted malt, chocolate, coffee and very smooth.

Mouth Feel: medium-high carbonation, full feel, Creamy, very smooth.

An extremely drinkable beer. I could drink this all night. I will purchase again.

Jan 29, 2020

Bluecrow from New York

4.24/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

-clear,ebony can pour with a thin foam cap that dissipates quickly. The aroma is faintly sweet, with toasted malt and coffee notes. The flavor follows the nose. It is rich and full. The brew is light-bodied and very smooth. This is really good.

Aug 24, 2019

mntlover from Tennessee

4.13/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Pours pretty dark some light brown around the edges when held to the light, thumb sized tan head with decent lacing.

Aroma is surprise big on coffee, guess it comes form the name nice roasted profile some good chocolate and nut aromas also. Underlying bready and caramel hints of molasses and earthiness.

Taste is pretty spot on the nose good coffee notes, dark chocolate sweet caramel roasted goodness loaded with nuttiness lingering coffee bitterness and hoppy earthy bitterness to round it out. Flavor seems more intense then the 6% even if the feel isn't. Nice easy drinking favorable porter.

Mouthfeel is lighter medium feels lighter then it tastes for some reason. Carbonation is fairly peppy might add to the lighter feel.

Overall a good beer smells nice tastes good goes down easy and smooth.If I was a local I could see this being a go to beer.

Aug 06, 2019

Harrison8 from Missouri

4.11/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours black with a finger of khaki foam. Head retention is good. Aroma is roasty, toasty, nutty malts with baker's chocolate and roasty coffee. There is a little bit of sweet caramel, but overall it smells bitter, akin to a dark cup of coffee. Flavor profile is baker's chocolate, molasses, roasty, nutty coffee and roasty, toasty, nutty malts. Baker's chocolate starts it out lightly sweet with a very faint bitterness, with the remainder of the flavor profile driving further towards bitter. It never loses its balance, but does dynamically reshape throughout the sip. Mouth feel is still and smooth with a lightly creamy texture. It has a medium thickness. Overall, a fresh cup of coffee with a few morsels of baker's chocolate added. Bitterness has been used quite a bit in this review, but the bitterness is never overwhelming - it just never is sweet or sugary.

Served in a 15.5oz Speigalau tulip from a 16oz can.

May 02, 2019

Munka from Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

This is a great laid back beer with some kick. My go to for afterwork, laying in bed, playing some xbox. A strong enough and heavy enough taste while feeling just the right amount of crispness. An attractive can and good look make this a good buy to sip on. Price can be steep, but I usually stick to 2 at a time.

Mar 22, 2019

jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16 oz can

pours jet black, with thick khaki colored head. nice strong pleasant aroma of coffee. taste is roasty, not too bitter or acidic, some moderate underlying chocolate tones as well. medium bodied, smooth feel.

Feb 27, 2019

metter98 from New York

4.15/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: The beer is very dark brown in color—only traces of dark red are visible near the edges of the glass when it is held up to a bright light. It poured with a quarter finger high beige head.
S: Light aromas of coffee beans are present in the nose.
T: The taste follows the smell, but has stronger flavors of coffee beans along with hints of dark chocolate. There is a light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels nearly medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This porter is all about the coffee and has lots of flavors of dark coffee that are reminiscent of espresso.

Serving type; can

Dec 23, 2018

PicoPapa from Connecticut

4.06/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16oz can. Pours a thick dark brown with an inch of medium brown head. The aroma is lots of coffee, Earth, dark chocolate and toasted malts. The taste is bitter dark chocolate, roasted malts and earth. Some dark bread as well as a hint of caramel. Thick, heavy mouthfeel.

Nov 24, 2018

mike22ne from Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a can, dated 10/31/18.

Smell and taste of dark roasted coffee and grains, caramel and milk chocolate.
Rich full feel with a light lingering bitterness.

Overall, a very tasty brew!!

Nov 20, 2018

jbeerd from Antarctica

4.39/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Draft in 16oz rrsturant tumbler. Very little head, no lacing. Strong fragrence of coffee, but more chocolate flavor. Smooth mouthfeel and very sayisfying.

Oct 08, 2018

hoptheology from South Dakota

4.14/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Canned 12/21/17.

A nice chocolate brown color with a sandy beige head of 2 fingers, receding to 1/2 a finger leaving big wallops of lace.

Aromas of fruity coffee and tootsie roll; some lactose.

The flavor starts with the fruity and black coffee, but fades quickly to pure tootsie roll and chocolate syrup. The sweetness fades to dry cocoa mix and lingering roastiness.

Feel is creamy and roasty at the same time, a good balance. Nice electric carbonation buzzing underneath, a good roasty finish.

Overall, a really good coffee-chocolate porter. It's perfectly sweet without being over-sweet; implements coffee mildly and chocolate flows over top. Very nice.

Apr 14, 2018

lordofthewiens from New Mexico

4.21/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Very dark brown, nearly black color. Small tan head with a bit of lace.
Coffee and roasted malt aroma. Toast.
Strong coffee presence, some dark chocolate.
Medium-bodied.
Nice porter.

Mar 10, 2018

alebo12 from Massachusetts

4.11/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

A: Coffee black with a half inch creamy head (poured into pint glass)

S: Nutty, toasty, freshly roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate

T: Notes of fresh dark roast coffee combined with a hint of dark chocolate. The beer finishes a touch creamy which really balances the beginning of the beer out.

M: Medium bodied porter.

O: This beer is a staple for me. The body seems to be similar to your more traditional english porters, however the coffee and chocolate malts really take this beer to a heavenly place. This beer may even work better as a stout.

Feb 21, 2018

sulldaddy from Connecticut

4.07/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Sampling a cellar temp 16 oz can poured into my snifter. The beer pours a dark coffee brown color with a dense creamy tan head of 3 cm. The foam fades to a sturdy surface layer. This layer remains through the sampling.
The aroma is lots of roasted malt and coffee ground and a bit of dark cocoa. I dont get any hops on the nose and no sense of any booze either.
The first sip reveals a silky smooth textured body with mild gentle carbonation. Easy drinking physical traits on this beer.
The flavor is roasted malt and coffee grounds with some dark chocolate and a bit of brown sugar note. I dont get any hops and no booze. The beer is very easy to drink and has a nice lingering roast character. Im glad I got a can of this and would try some other nightshift beers if given the opportunity.

Feb 17, 2018

fitzy84 from Massachusetts

4.07/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bought a four-pack at Yankee Spirits in Sturbridge, MA. The beer has a black appearance with a light brown, thick head that dissipates eventually forming some patchy lacing. The aromas are very strong with a dark cocoa smell, a little burnt even. Could probably be a black coffee smell as well. The taste does not follow the nose that well, but its a good, bitter, black coffee mixed with milky creamy in terms of flavor. Decently carbonated with a good, creamy texture. Overall, outstanding aromas.

Jan 28, 2018

hopsputin from New Jersey

4.19/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

a: silky jet black color with just a hint of light penetrating the bottom of the glass making a dark brown color. large, 2 finger rocky (yet solid) beautiful tan head

s: huge hit of roasted coffee beans upfront. milk chocolate, roast malt, cola, and a hint of brown sugar follow. there is a hint of lactose sweetness in the aroma, though i'm not sure if it's brewed with any. there is also a sweet berry flavor in here as well. coffee forward, but does a nice job of keeping the roast backbone that all Porters should have

t: coffee beans, milk chocolate, and that cola upfront. rolling in behind that is a nice smooth hit of bitterness from a combination of roasted malts and dark chocolate. a bit more chocolate sweetness behind that. the finish is roast malt and raw coffee beans

m: solid medium mouthfeel, a touch larger than i'd expect from a porter. doesn't effect the beer in a negative way, just makes for a heavier mouthfeel. carbonation level is medium/high as well

o: enjoyable for sure. great coffee flavor in here that is harmonized well with a nice base Porter. this is a definite try if you see it, from me

Jan 16, 2018

ipeters1017 from Wisconsin

4.24/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours pitch black with ruby around the edges. Thin head, little retention. Smells of coffee and chocolate, slight roasted character. Tastes like a no-frills porter. Roasted, event burnt malts, toast, very very slight hints of coffee up front, but more prevalent in the aftertaste--maybe disappointing for what it's advertised as, but it tastes great. Smooth, relatively light-bodied, and not too much carbonation. Overall, I recommend this wholeheartedly. It's nowhere near the most coffee-forward beer I've had, but it's there, and won't scare off a porter purist.

Dec 22, 2017

bobv from Vermont

4.29/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Moderate to vigorous pour yields a one and a half inch tan head over an almost black body with some nice lacing. Nose of coffee, front and center, with other aromas of chocolate, espresso, and roasted malts. Taste of coffee, dark chocolate, unsweetened chocolate, and hops. Nice feel and overall another winner from NSB. Cheers!

Nov 18, 2017

larryi86 from Delaware

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Thank you thebeers for this
16 oz can, dated 10/13/17, poured into a tulip

A- Black with a two finger mocha head.

S- Caramel malts, roasted coffee, some dark chocolate and a touch of piney hops.

T- Roasted coffee, caramel, some chocolate, a little piney, touch of citrus hops.

M- Smooth, a little on the little side.

O- A solid coffee porter without being over the top with the alcohol.

Nov 07, 2017

thebeers from Pennsylvania

3.96/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very dark brown with two-plus fingers of tan head. Solid lacing.

Roasted malt, coffee, light chocolate and a little carbon dioxide in the nose.

Similarly roasted-malt taste, just shy of nuttiness, with some great, lightly-bitter chocolate and moderate plain Jane coffee.

Heavy bodied for a porter with a nice light creaminess to it.

The chocolate notes in this one are really nice, but the coffee could be darker and better integrated, to my taste. There's no coffee bite to it at all. Still pretty good. 10/13/17 canned on date.

Nov 04, 2017

Buck89 from Tennessee

4.21/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Nearly opaque deep dark brown color with a modest but resilient tan head. Aromas of freshly ground coffee and roasted malt. Faint chocolate on the nose. Robust and smooth coffee flavor with a gentle bitterness and modest chocolate notes. Slight dry with some char on the finish. One of my favorite coffee porters.

Oct 15, 2017

Billolick from New York

4.17/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Tall can

Looks like yer typical porter, long lasting mocha cap, super slowly goes to a thicker film and leaves nice looking low sheeting and ringed fine lacing.

Chocolate fudge infused nose.

More oowey goowey chocolate on the palate, with a soft back note of cafe au lait...moderatly dry finish.....pleasingly tasty and enjoyable...more high quality brew from Night shift...go get some

Aug 03, 2017

Gmann from New York

3.93/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a milk chocolate brown color with a tight creamy off white head. Spotty lacing on the glass.

The aroma is of moderate roast coffee. Sweet coffee aroma. Hints of dark chocolate, cocoa, wet wood and brown bread.

The taste is of brown bread and caramel. Metal notes and watery coffee. Powdery chocolate. A bit of lemon or tea in the finish.

The feel is thick with soft carbonation. Sweet on the palate with a slight bitter and sour offset.

The porter starts off real strong in the aroma but fizzeled in the flavor. The coffee didn't shine enough in the flavor.

Jul 31, 2017