Jacob Arnold's Porter
Glenbrook Brewery

 

2021-11-09
16oz can served in a Mayflower pint glass. Dated 08/03/21. Received from @MacMalt in NBS BIF #14.

Pours a dark brown with about a centimeter of light tan head, moderate visible carbonation. Smell is pure roasty grains, hint of yeasty/breadiness. Anise and coffee can come out of it, too.

Taste is cut from the same cloth. Roast bitterness, moderate bready sweetness, anise and coffee are there but more muted.

Mouthfeel is medium, maybe slightly chewy. This is just a well-made, nice clean porter, and it's exactly what I wanted right now.

 

I had this on draught at the brewery. It was served in a pint glass and I allowed it to warm a bit before tasting. It pours a dark walnut - I didn't see any cola hues. It sports a small, mocha-colored head with long-lasting, elegant lacing. It smells of roasted malt, tobacco smoke, bakers chocolate, and burnt coffee grounds. An appropriate nose for an American Porter. The taste is just what I'd hoped for: roasty, tobacco, dark, bitter chocolate, burnt coffee grounds, and earthy char. As it warms, there is just a hint of caramel. It's dry and finishes with considerable bitterness. It's mouth feel is appropriate for the style. It's fairly lite but has a good substance. The carbonation is mild and at 5.8% ABV it drinks easily. A second pour is not an issue. Overall, Jacob Arnold's is a well-executed American Porter. It's not as full-bodied as a Robust Porter. but it has all the taste I'd expect. And I'm sure it will only improve. I'll be following its development and may revise this review.