Capt. Doug's Porter
MudHen Brewing Co

 

It's just the slightest shade lighter than black coffee, in color, as it rests in a clear glass liter mug. Two twelve ounce cans were entirely emptied and now a reasonable head, tan in color, rests above almost twenty-four ounces of porter. There's an aroma of roasted barley, but it's not nearly pungent. The taste, too, is a little light. There's that roasted barley and some earthy hopping that, although complimentary, don't bring a bold taste. But, this is a porter, not a Baltic Porter, nor some sort of Imperial something. It's pleasantly malty sweet, balanced, drinkable and likely, not memorable. The body runs a little light for the style and it's almost too fizzy on the tongue. In step with the mouthfeel, there's almost no glass lacing. Overall, it's not bad, but not worth a seeking for it effort.

Jet black as night pour with a bubbly deep tan head. Nice roasty nose. Upon first sip, Mudhen's billing as a robust porter holds up with deep roast flavor supported by chocolate. Lengthy finish adds to the enjoyment. Further down the glass the finish shortens--not quite as robust--but still, a quality version of the style.

 

 

Very dark brown in color, almost no light penetrates; beautiful frothy and creamy looking light brown head that is just so appetizing, just calling you to take a sip; above average retention.

Chocolate and cocoa powder accompanied by some roasted malt presence, it presents that light ashy dryness that I like and get from porters from time to time; just the faintest hint of licorice.

The taste presents a much richer flavor than the nose leads you to believe; big rich bittersweet chocolate, nice roast bite on the finish, espresso-like but diluted a tad; nice little touch of hop character on the finish; perhaps a touch of perceived smoke in aftertaste.

Light body that presents itself quite rich but very smooth; good bitterness, verging towards very noticeable territory, but still in the foreground and balanced; very clean on the finish, dries out nicely.

 

 

An excellent porter. Wonderful roasted bitterness, no adjuncts, and very little hop presence. I could drink this regularly. Well worth seeking out if you get to southern New Jersey.

 

 

pretty tasty porter - probably my favorite of the six beers I sampled during my first visit (the other five all being paler ales and lagers)... served on tap in a 10 oz pub-style half pint glass

even while still somewhat cold, robust roast on the nose, dark bittersweet chocolate and a background hint of molasses leaps out on the palate... very clean, relatively light... nice way to cap off the meal, quite full-flavored... and it - hoping it is or will be regularly available - will be the first one I get upon returning