Smoked Porter | Choc Beer Co. / Pete's Place

4.09/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a fudge brown color with the vaguest sense of translucence; the very modest tan cap does keep its shape for a while and deposits some foamy lace on the side of the glass

Smell: Smoked campfire with hints of brown bread, chocolate, caramel and cherry

Taste: What was understated in the aroma comes on much stronger to the tastebuds; chocolate and brown bread, up front, with the smoked flavors (charcoal and a tinge of sour cherry) blasting the palate; after the swallow, the smoked elements linger, though there are subtle hints of caramel and cherry that bring balance to the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation

Overall: Several years in and this beer is still drinking very nicely, having mellowed into a well-balanced treat

Thanks, BlueOkie, for the opportunity

★ 815 characters

3.63/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured dark brown with a nice tannish cap, some bubbles and light lacing presents itself

S: The nose is full of smoked meats, campfire and cigarette smoke

T: A big woody char blended with campfire upfront which lingers and transiotions to a smoked meat presence, light peat and chocolate which ends in a lingering chocolate, meaty and smokey bliss.The big complaint was a persistent burnt rubber note that really stuck around.

M: A big body, well carbonated, smoke and more smoke sit on the palate

O: Good for the style. Would recommend and I find this superior to Alaskan Smoked Porter

★ 595 characters

4.26/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a - poured a one finger thick creamy tan head into a snifter that left a thin ring of lace that disappeared quickly. the body was a dark black.
s - liquid smoke with a hint of roastiness.
t - smokey, burnt ends, wood, roast are the dominant flavors. the smoke here is more subdued than the aroma.
m - medium and slick mouthfeel.
o - very nice smoked beer. the smoke is there but not overwhelming, just the right amount. paired this with a bbq burger (pulled pork piled on top of a burger) and it was great.

★ 506 characters

4.04/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: pours pitch black, a little thin on the edges, small amount of head with minimal retention

S: holy smokes... smells like campfire, strong hickory and smoke, a bit of roasty chocolate in the background

T: like the nose the taste is incredibly smokey, a bit of woodiness with chocolate and coffee to round things out

MF: somewhat thin, mellow carbonation, smooth body

O: this is perhaps the smokiest beer that I have experienced, the smoke doesn't ever get out of hand and provides and interesting porter with plenty of depth

★ 530 characters

3.66/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to TMoney2591 for allowing for the OK tick

Holy God this is mostly smoke with a little bit of porter. It pours the dark brown you'd expect from the style, but ever-the-while it smells like wood ashes are wafting around the room. There are times when some smoke is appreciated and there is times when it makes me think they burnt the beer. This is the latter. This beer takes a page right from Aecht with the level of smoke, dear god it smells like super charred bacon. Surprisingly the taste mellows it quite nicely, but by this point I'm making sure not to stick my nose back in the glass. The taste has the obvious smoke infuse malt flavor with some chocolate tones behind it. There is actually a nice creamy overall feel to this beer and overall, I don't mind drinking it. That having been said, I'm glad somebody else bought it, Someone like TMoney2591 who appreciates the smoke WAY more than I do.

★ 910 characters

3.8/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Beer pours a dark brown in color while still retaining a slight translucency around the edges. Forms a thin dark tan head a thick ring around the edge.

S: Smells of smoke and lots of it. Bacon, wood and maybe some roasted malts.

T: Roasted malts to the point there is even a little char. Smoke, bacon, and campfire.

M: On the heavier side of medium with a mild, char-like, smoky bitterness.

O: A good beer. Smoky as hell, but still drinkable. If you like smoke, you'll like this one. If not, I'd stay away.

★ 517 characters

4.12/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a flared pokal.

Thanks to ThirstyHerf for this bottle!

Gots to love the smoke, amiright? Let's do this: It pours a dark black-brown topped by a finger of dark-ish tan foam. The nose comprises maple-smoked ham, milk chocolate, and light roasted malts. Damn, do I enjoy that delicious aroma! The taste holds notes of roasted malts, dark chocolate powder, light beech smoke, and very light maple syrup. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda dry finish. Overall, a damn fine smoked porter. Good work, Krebs!

★ 565 characters

3.2/5  rDev -20%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A. Pours black with some amber edges and a nice creamy tan head.

S. Tons of bacony smoke on the nose. Some caramel in the background.

T. Tons of smoke, some chocolate on the back

M. Fairly thin body, not a lot of body.

D. Drinkable, but not great

★ 250 characters

3.11/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tasting at Jackie O's

A-dark body with tan head that sticks around for awhile

S-really Smokey. Wow. If you like smoke, you like this

T-really Smokey. Really? You had to smoke it this jmuch?

M-medium body and smooth

O-way too Smokey. This just must not be my thng

★ 267 characters

4.2/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to this surprise brew from BlueOkie! I really love a good smoked porter, and this one turned out to be very well crafted.

No bottle date but it says it was part of some sort of event called "Brew at Choc's Home" in 2010. I believe this was brewed in late 2010 or very early 2011. Poured into a Duvel tulip.

The beer was tough to coax a head out of at first, but with some height, and patience, a tall thick sandy head rose up and lingered for the better part of 10 minutes. The liquid beneath was black and completely opaque.

Wow does this smell good. Smoke is big and bold. I am growing more and more fond of assertive smokey beers with experience. This smoked porter has a smoke profile that is more brash and blatant than most (read: beers like Stone smoked porter have barely any real smoke compared to this). Oaky wood ashes lie beneath the dark campfire in my glass.

The taste is very smokey as well. If you enjoy a rauchbier once in a while you'll really dig this, but if smoke turns you off I am thinking that this beer is not for you. Luckily, I fall into the first category.

Dark and toasty smoked barley is thick and chewy, but not really bitter or ashy. I'd love to dig deeper, but for now the smoke overpowers a lot of the other flavors - this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Thick and chewy, with lower carbonation. Drinks smooth but has an extremely dry finish.

Overall a real treat, this beer definitely lived up to my expectations/hopes, and was in fact the first beer of the 6 Scot sent me that I put into my fridge for consumption. The bar has been set for the other 5!

★ 1,602 characters

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

22oz bottle, sent as part of a poker BIF payout about 1 month ago. This pours a dark brown/black, with a tightly celled tan foam. Awesome smoked malt aroma, rich & woody. Sweet caramel malts & some bitter cocoa provide some accents for what is mainly a smoky flavor. Delicious, easily comparable with Stone Smoked Porter (natural comparison). Light carbonation, creamy mouthfeel, nice complement to the flavors. Liked this quite a bit.

★ 435 characters

4.17/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours black, with a nice tan colored head, solid 2 fingers, leaving nice lace. Retention is very good.

Wow, this thing is smoky! But there's big chocolate and roasted malt notes shining through....it's definitely not one dimensional.

Bittersweet chocolate, light coffee, roasted malts, char, and of course, a nice balanced smokiness.

Solid medium bodied feel, creamy, and smooth.

Drinkability is great. It's got a huge smoke character without being overdone. This was a great smoked beer!

★ 496 characters

4.2/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared by someone at the most recent Freetail bottle release party.

The beer pours a dark brown color with a tan head. The aroma is definitely smokey with a lot of meaty BBQ notes. The flavor is more of the same. There is a heavy smoke character that goes very well with some heavily roasted malt. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. A very nice smoked beer where the smoke is up front and shines.

★ 404 characters

4.32/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a medium bodied black with a light beige colored lacing. Right off the bat it smells of smoked ham and smoked wood chips. Its possibly the second smokiest beer I've smelled behind the Alaskan Smoked Porter. It smells great. The flavor is pretty good as well. It still gives you the typical coffee and roast of a regular porter with the nice smoke of hickory smoked bacon. The flavors are very well integrated. It drinks a little light for a porter but with the flavor profile its ok. This beer is pretty superb, I'm very impressed, its an excellent smoked beer.

★ 577 characters

4.17/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to coldmeat23 for tossing this awesome bottle in as an extra! Killer trade.

Poured this into a pint glass. Pours an uninviting black with just a thin sheet of tan-colored lace on top. A little disappointed there's not more head to channel out the smokiness. Ah well. The nose is still indeed smoky, with notes of bacon grease, ham, and then the "porterness" pulls through with roasted malts, and a bit of coffee. Very nice.

The mouth is stellar for the style. Moderately-full, not too heavy, but far from thin. I like it. Now this beer backs up what it claims: this is smoky. I dig it. I've had some of the style where the smoke is a phantom, but here, the smoke comes out full force. Still, mild cocoa notes and hints of sweetness make there way through as well, but the smoke is for sure the main player. This isn't a style for everyone, but I enjoy this flavor at times, and this beer delivers. Thanks again, Chris!

★ 933 characters

3.37/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a thick black color with a slight amount of tan head with no lacing. The aroma is strong of smoke with a slight amount of roasted malt. The taste is almost all smoke... So much so that it overwhelms the rest of the flavors, which I would assume consisted of some roasted malt and caramel characteristics. The mouthfeel is somewhat lacking and feels empty. It leaves you feeling like you just drank smokey water. Overall it is worth a try but don't expect too much.

★ 480 characters

3.68/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 03/05/11 notes. Shared by Thorpe429; thanks Mike.

a - Pours a dark brown color with one inch of tan head and light carbonation evident.

s - Smells of roasted malts, chocolate, vanilla, and light smoke. Was expecting more smoke from it.

t - Tastes chocolate, coffee, roasted malts, vanilla, light smokiness, and light fruit.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

d - A pretty nice porter or stout with some light smoke to it. Would have again.

★ 456 characters

3.8/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into Bruery tulip. Thanks to thehand for this extra!

A - Dark brown, opaque with tan head that leaves good lacing.

S - Faint smoke,leather,chocolate, maybe some dark fruits.

T - Smoke comes thru here along with more bitter chocolate. I can taste the cherries/plums on the finish. Good amount of carbonation for this style, but it works.

M - Medium. Much lighter than expected (in a good way).

D - High. With the relative low ABV and nice carbonation, this one goes down easy.

Nice beer. Would definitely not turn down another.

★ 551 characters

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of a very generous trader. Served in a tulip.

Pour yields a very dark brew with a good off-white head and some lacing as it moves down the glass. The nose contains a good amount of smoke plus some roasted malt, mild coffee, and a wee bit of very dark chocolate. Good start. The taste isn't quite as integrated and doesn't do as much for me, but pretty good and I'd certainly come back to it. Nothing overpowering, just a nice, balanced beer with some smoke complexity added. Mouthfeel is medium with a good dryness in the finish. Drinks quite well. One of the best Krebs beers I've had to date.

★ 611 characters

3.68/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared by Thorpe, thanks. Nearly to all 50 states.

Beer is dark brown with a tiny thin head of small tan bubbles that still leaves a little lacing on the glass. Looks like beer.

The aroma is not quite what I expected, the smoke contribution is rather low...there is some roast and a little malt in there. I wonder how smokey this beer will be.

Beer is medium in body and decent tasting, nice thickness throughout with a clean finish. There is a mild pleasant smoke finish on the back end of the palate that grows toward the midpalate, the malt is on the front. Overall it is a nice, decent beer.

★ 598 characters

3.78/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by Thorpe429. Thanks Mike!

A: The beer appears a dark brown shade, with a small tan head that leaves a fair amount of lacing on the tulip glass.

S: The aroma is of malt and smoke with a light roast character.

T: The flavor follows the scent, with the addition of chocolates, and a light bitterness in the finish. Pleasant smoke flavors are there throughout, but not overpowering.

M: The feel is on the thin side, too much so for my liking.

D: Overall, this was a decent beer and one I would have again, though not in the same category as Alaskan Smoked Porter.

★ 582 characters

4.35/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

GLASS: Choc Signature Series Glass (Short-stemmed Snifter/Tulip Hybrid)
TEMP: Cellared @ approx 45 degrees
Thanks to Beertracker for submitting his homebrew to this contest. He makes some of the best damn beers that I've ever had. It's nice to see someone on a commercial level recognize this. Congrats, brother!
(Now, if we can just get thehand to win one. He's making some damn good beers, as well.)

This is a solidly opaque black color. Backlighting will get it to betray just a tiny hint of dark brown around the surface edge, but that's really just nitpicking. It's black. A smallish head of dark brown foam forms and fades away, leaving a nice surface ring. Lacing is in thick strands which are nicely sticky.

The smokiness hits you as soon as the top is popped. A big, bold, vaguely salty, kind of smoke scent. Most smoked beers smell of pork products to me. This one smells like someone is smoking a rack of beef ribs. It seriously has beef notes to it(!). There are light hints of chocolates and very light traces of coffee, like maybe they used coffee in the beef 'rub'. (Haha.) Very light hints of dark fruit sweetness and caramelized brown sugar.

Okay, the taste leans much more towards the smoked pork that I was expecting. It's totally like a rack of pork ribs that have some cocoa powder and ground coffee in the seasoning 'rub'. Light traces of Turbinado sugar. Light hints of applewood smoked sea salt.
This is a very tasty beer. It would be amazing served alongside some chocolate covered bacon, or that bacon and salt chocolate bar, that they have at the Goose Island Brewpub. Delicious!

This is a medium-bodied brew that has a light-to-medium level of carbonation. I think that it could use a touch more (natural) carbonation, to bring out some creaminess. That might just be me, though.

Very nicely drinkable, I think. No booziness, at all. The smoke, while it is the main part, does not overwhelm. It's got a good deal of balance, especially as it breathes and 'opens up' a little.
Well done!

★ 2,019 characters

3.93/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Dark brown with a thin tan head that dissipates quickly. No lacing really.
S - Smoke, dark fruits.
T - Again, smoke and dark fruits followed by a bit of green apple and a pretty strong chlorophenol flavor, slightly medicinal and band-aidy. Not unpleasant but strikes me as slightly off. However, I think this has just the right degree of smoke to it; not too much but definitely present.
MF - Nice carbo, pleasant body.
DB - High, for a smoked porter, but a bomber is probably enough for me.

★ 495 characters

4.27/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours pitch black. Completely opaque. 1.5 fingers of cola looking head.

S - Roasted cedar plank, charcoal, heavily smoked pork, rich smoky malt, beef jerky cure, caramelized brown sugar. Deep savory aromas with notes of sweetness.

T - Dry up front with a hint of smoky sweetness following. Tangy and salty ham character. Some roasted dark fruit builds on top of a rich and earthy smokiness. Burnt toffee holds strong through the bold smoke. Toasted brown bread rounds it off. The finish makes me think of what campfire clothes would taste like.

M - Medium body with adequate carbonation.

Wow. It took me back to camping out in the woods. Lots of complex layers here. The smoke was in full force but not overpowering. Everything seemed to fit in its flavor puzzle. Perfect for the 2011 snowpocalypse.

★ 811 characters

3.3/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

My second beer from this brewery, which showed to be an improvement over the 1919. This might not be saying much since the recipe is from a contest winter. The color and smell were the best things about this porter. It was almost comforting. The smoked influence was distinct in the smell. When it came to taste, it reminded me of the liquid smoke my dad would use on the grill. It wasn't too overpowering but seemed to disrupt the balance of the beer rather than add a unique characteristic. Since this appears to be a retired brew, it might be difficult to find, especially outside of OK. If you like this style, its definitely worth a try but don't expect it to measure up to other smoked porters(Stone). This one straddles the fence.

★ 737 characters