Mission Control
8th Wonder Brewery

I had this beer on-tap in a chalice at the brewery in Houston. The board said this version is 4.8% ABV.

Appearance:  rich dark brown, not quite black, with a thin layer of tan foam atop. Looks good.

Smell:  quite malty with a fair amount of sweetness and a hint of graininess. The roasted malts don’t come through much in the aroma, but it’s nice enough.

Taste:  a little sweet with a good caramel character and just a little bit of chocolate and roast. It’s a nicely balanced porter; it’s very traditional and well made, if not super unique.

Mouthfeel:  medium body with a moderate  carbonation and decent creaminess.

Overall:  this porter doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it’s got a classic flavor profile and is well-made and nicely drinkable at 4.8%.

 

 

12 oz. on-tap at the brewery

L: black & tan look, liquid is clear brown; bartender's pour left little head; keeps a thin collar for about half the glass, then the collar almost disappears

S: sweet, lightly toasted wood; no "char" wood or burnt notes; sweetens a bit more as it warms

T: smokey oak wood with a light char, not overboard but it's just a bit burnt; slight floral hop bite; as it warms, the malt offers some more sweetness; the burnt oak wood flavor doesn't build and become too much

F: lots of carbonation; light but filling

O: a wonderful brew, very easy drinking with nothing out of scale; if they aren't canning this yet, they should be ... it's good enough that I'll visit the brewery again over the next couple months when I'm in town *just* to drink this beer; a near-perfect session beer ... at 4.6% it's still a bit strong for true session range, but it's close (and kudos to 8th Wonder for at least giving us something under 5%!)

 

 

 

 

 

On tap at D&T Drive Inn, Houston.

A: Pours a dark brown, nearly black color. A two finger beige head forms and recedes to nothing in a minute. Not much lace to speak of.
S: Up front is roast, light chocolate, and cereal grains. A bit of coffee and toasted malts. Very nice, if not exceptional.
T: Like the nose, up front toasted malts, chocolate, and grains. There is a sweetness that builds and becomes a little cloying. Outside of that, toasted grains become the show.
M/O: A light body with higher carbonation than expected. Almost spritzy and soda like, it does not round out or become more smooth as I work my way through. Saying that, very easy to drink. If not the perfect porter, this is still enjoyable.

I love that the ABV is really low here. Though as a whole, it lacks overall depth and body. I would love to try this base on cask (without any of the added crap 8th Wonder is known for). That might smooth over some issues I have cause this might be stunning on cask as is. Enjoyable for what it is on tap, but I feel this could be much better.