Black Jack Porter | Left Hand Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Left Hand Brewing Company
Colorado, United States
lefthandbrewing.com
Style: English Porter
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.80%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Slight malt Sweetness with notes of dark chocolate, espresso and herbal hops.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 08-16-2001
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 1,377 | Reviews: 520
3.56/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.99/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
3.59/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.35/5 rDev +16.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Unknown vintage; drank 6/5/15 @ the Yarchives.
Murky orange/red rust appearance.
A rough pour yielded a small tan head; strong lace.
Raspberry, red licorice & fresh earth notes in the nose.
Medium thick mouthfeel.
Fresh earth & red licorice flavors up front; raspberry notes on the finish. Faint booze heat emerged as this warmed. A very flavorful porter; I'd have another!
383 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Unknown vintage; drank 6/5/15 @ the Yarchives.
Murky orange/red rust appearance.
A rough pour yielded a small tan head; strong lace.
Raspberry, red licorice & fresh earth notes in the nose.
Medium thick mouthfeel.
Fresh earth & red licorice flavors up front; raspberry notes on the finish. Faint booze heat emerged as this warmed. A very flavorful porter; I'd have another!
383 characters
2.5/5 rDev -32.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
3.55/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
355ml bottle into a Spiegleau Stout glass. Paid £2.70 for a single.
Pours a clear, dark brown, cola body, that when held to the light transforms to a bright, almost ruby hue. A three-finger in height, light tan coloured, bubbly head slowly condenses to a thick cap, leaving behind plenty of sticky soapy lace.
The relatively subtle nose predominantly consists of lightly roasted dark malts, semi-sweet chocolate, powdered cocoa and coffee. Hints of burnt grains, ash and woody, herbal hops are faintly perceptible in the background. Taste follows in much the same way, adding only a tart red berry profile to the relatively simple nose. Dry, dark roasted malts and baking chocolate lead initially above lighter notes of burnt grains, white toast and hints of heavily roasted coffee. Mid palate, lightly tart red berries join lingering chocolate malt to provide traces of sweetness and add further acidy to the sharp, dry roasted backbone. In the mouth, a light body and assertive carbonation give feel that despite being thin, remains reasonably smooth and easy drinking. Towards the back end, mildly bitter, green, herbal, and woody hop profiles join lingering berry, coffee, cocoa and char to finish dry, slightly coarse and astringent.
Overall this is a decent, but unremarkable beer. Smooth, dry and roasty, it’s a simple but well-crafted Porter. At a relatively high 6.8% ABV, alcohol is completely imperceptible. While this undoubtedly increases drinkability, it not only makes its depth of flavour and weight of body slightly lacking compared to others with similar gravities, but reduces its suitability as a session beer choice. Ultimately it’s a solid offering, but unlike Left Hand’s excellent Milk Stout Nitro, it isn’t going to become a fridge staple.
1,776 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
355ml bottle into a Spiegleau Stout glass. Paid £2.70 for a single.
Pours a clear, dark brown, cola body, that when held to the light transforms to a bright, almost ruby hue. A three-finger in height, light tan coloured, bubbly head slowly condenses to a thick cap, leaving behind plenty of sticky soapy lace.
The relatively subtle nose predominantly consists of lightly roasted dark malts, semi-sweet chocolate, powdered cocoa and coffee. Hints of burnt grains, ash and woody, herbal hops are faintly perceptible in the background. Taste follows in much the same way, adding only a tart red berry profile to the relatively simple nose. Dry, dark roasted malts and baking chocolate lead initially above lighter notes of burnt grains, white toast and hints of heavily roasted coffee. Mid palate, lightly tart red berries join lingering chocolate malt to provide traces of sweetness and add further acidy to the sharp, dry roasted backbone. In the mouth, a light body and assertive carbonation give feel that despite being thin, remains reasonably smooth and easy drinking. Towards the back end, mildly bitter, green, herbal, and woody hop profiles join lingering berry, coffee, cocoa and char to finish dry, slightly coarse and astringent.
Overall this is a decent, but unremarkable beer. Smooth, dry and roasty, it’s a simple but well-crafted Porter. At a relatively high 6.8% ABV, alcohol is completely imperceptible. While this undoubtedly increases drinkability, it not only makes its depth of flavour and weight of body slightly lacking compared to others with similar gravities, but reduces its suitability as a session beer choice. Ultimately it’s a solid offering, but unlike Left Hand’s excellent Milk Stout Nitro, it isn’t going to become a fridge staple.
1,776 characters
3.59/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Left Hand's Black Jack Porter has a thin, bone-colored head, a very dark brown appearance, some bubble streams, and almost no lacing left behind. The aroma is of sweet, dark bread crust, toast, chocolate, and medium-roast coffee. Taste is of medium-dark malts, sweetness, low bitterness, brown bread crust, medium-dark toast, and no char. Mouthfeel is light, and Black Jack finishes on the drier side.
RJT
407 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Left Hand's Black Jack Porter has a thin, bone-colored head, a very dark brown appearance, some bubble streams, and almost no lacing left behind. The aroma is of sweet, dark bread crust, toast, chocolate, and medium-roast coffee. Taste is of medium-dark malts, sweetness, low bitterness, brown bread crust, medium-dark toast, and no char. Mouthfeel is light, and Black Jack finishes on the drier side.
RJT
407 characters
3.75/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.5/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.63/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Look: Pours a dark cola color with ruby accents when held up to light. A thin tan head coats the top, though it dissipates quickly so only a very thin layer remains for the session. Somewhat underwhelming for a porter, in my opinion.
Smell: Unfortunately, the aroma is somewhat underwhelming as well. I get subtle hints of vanilla, cocoa, and coffee. I wish the aroma was a little stronger, because I'm sure it would be a great combination of scents for a brew like this.
Taste: This is where things get a bit better. Right away there is lots of sweet chocolate and a little bit of coffee. The finish has a nutty flavor to it, which is surprisingly pleasant. Delicious overall. While I really enjoy the taste of this beer, I would never know that I was drinking a porter. I don't mind though.
Feel: Pretty light and thin for a porter. The carbonation is very mild as well. It's quite session-able, which is nice, because I enjoy the flavor. However, as with the other aspects of this brew, the mouth-feel just doesn't represent a porter.
Overall: I like this beer, and I would buy it again. However, nothing about it makes it good porter specifically. I wish it was categorized as a different type of beer. That said, it is pretty tasty, and I still recommend it to folks who enjoy lighter porters or brown ales.
1,336 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Look: Pours a dark cola color with ruby accents when held up to light. A thin tan head coats the top, though it dissipates quickly so only a very thin layer remains for the session. Somewhat underwhelming for a porter, in my opinion.
Smell: Unfortunately, the aroma is somewhat underwhelming as well. I get subtle hints of vanilla, cocoa, and coffee. I wish the aroma was a little stronger, because I'm sure it would be a great combination of scents for a brew like this.
Taste: This is where things get a bit better. Right away there is lots of sweet chocolate and a little bit of coffee. The finish has a nutty flavor to it, which is surprisingly pleasant. Delicious overall. While I really enjoy the taste of this beer, I would never know that I was drinking a porter. I don't mind though.
Feel: Pretty light and thin for a porter. The carbonation is very mild as well. It's quite session-able, which is nice, because I enjoy the flavor. However, as with the other aspects of this brew, the mouth-feel just doesn't represent a porter.
Overall: I like this beer, and I would buy it again. However, nothing about it makes it good porter specifically. I wish it was categorized as a different type of beer. That said, it is pretty tasty, and I still recommend it to folks who enjoy lighter porters or brown ales.
1,336 characters
2.91/5 rDev -21.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Pours a dark brown and black for the most part, brown head, 1/2". Aroma has the roast and a dark fruit edge, are English porters just like the Russian Imperial Stout to the rest of that style? Dark fruit and alcohol.
Taste has plenty of woody licorice feels. So much hot alcohol in the mouthfeel. I wish the chocolate malt notes came out more than the yeast. Instead of a sweet edge I get a bitter alcohol boozy fueled one.
430 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Pours a dark brown and black for the most part, brown head, 1/2". Aroma has the roast and a dark fruit edge, are English porters just like the Russian Imperial Stout to the rest of that style? Dark fruit and alcohol.
Taste has plenty of woody licorice feels. So much hot alcohol in the mouthfeel. I wish the chocolate malt notes came out more than the yeast. Instead of a sweet edge I get a bitter alcohol boozy fueled one.
430 characters
3.43/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle pour into Left Hand 2/3 pint glass.
A muddy and frankly unappealing looking brown beer with short lived cream coloured head. Smells quite fruity and tastes good with gentle coffee and chocolate notes. Not my favourite Left Hand creation but, for some reason, I rather enjoyed the second half of this after initial disappointment. Too cold perhaps? Will try again but not in a big hurry. Cheers!
403 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle pour into Left Hand 2/3 pint glass.
A muddy and frankly unappealing looking brown beer with short lived cream coloured head. Smells quite fruity and tastes good with gentle coffee and chocolate notes. Not my favourite Left Hand creation but, for some reason, I rather enjoyed the second half of this after initial disappointment. Too cold perhaps? Will try again but not in a big hurry. Cheers!
403 characters
3.46/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Last beer in the 6 pack, dated 1/27/2017. Remind me not to buy LH beers close to the expiration date. With a vigorous pour a tan head is formed over a dark-red brown, slightly transparent body. Smells like coffee, cocoa, sweet caramel, and a bright herbal fruitiness that's a bit disconcerting against the other aromas. Taste has coffee and tasty rich chocolate. Nice. Then a bit of a medicinal quality that's not so nice. Bitterness is moderate. Body is weak for the style and ABV. Drinkable and has some nice elements, but there are far better porters out there.
564 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Last beer in the 6 pack, dated 1/27/2017. Remind me not to buy LH beers close to the expiration date. With a vigorous pour a tan head is formed over a dark-red brown, slightly transparent body. Smells like coffee, cocoa, sweet caramel, and a bright herbal fruitiness that's a bit disconcerting against the other aromas. Taste has coffee and tasty rich chocolate. Nice. Then a bit of a medicinal quality that's not so nice. Bitterness is moderate. Body is weak for the style and ABV. Drinkable and has some nice elements, but there are far better porters out there.
564 characters
3.59/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.78/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.83/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.59/5 rDev +23.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
3.75/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Black Jack Porter from Left Hand Brewing Company
3.72
out of 5
based on 1,377 ratings.
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25