Cream Porter
CB Craft Brewers

 

 

Although listed as 'Double Dark', Cream Porter is not dark enough to conceal its chestnut-colored highlights. It is otherwise, however, for the most part, opaque. Its head, in contrast, is chalky white and comprised of three parts cream, one part bubbles. The glass is comprised of exactly zero parts lacing.

The aroma is particular and inviting, with a strong coffee accenting. It is roasty and oily, resembling still steaming coffee grinds. There is trace of lactose sweetness found amongst the roasted grain. It has a solid character but is far from overwhelming and likely to appeal to all levels of passengers on porters' dark, roasty road.

A blind tasting composed of Cream Porter and a mug of black coffee might yield surprising results. I'm finding it hard to tell the two apart. The oily, astringent, bitter taste of coffee beans is so express that I'd bet my right index finger that they infused it with actual coffee. The flavour is nice, like an espresso, but lacks much depth.

For a 'cream' porter, this is considerably astringent. And roasty, although that is to be expected. The sweetness is minimal and has the dark, roasted graininess of an Irish stout, albeit with more coffee flavour (as mentioned already). A lot of the black patent malt flavour is present, imparting the beer with an abrupt dryness and medium body.

Custom Brewcrafters' Double Dark Cream Porter does the trick. It is by no means prolific but if you’re not familiar with darker, bolder beers, it’s a good example to cut your teeth on. Considering the reasonable price, I see no reason not to recommend it. That said, I'm not sure I enjoyed it enough to pick it up again myself.

Brewed for Clark's Ale House real ale fest 2006. Certain coffee,by scent and by taste, and dark colour with lace. Could not get the creaminess, though there may have been a dash of vanilla. People who like porter were less than enthused. Mouthfeel was on to coffee ground. May work better on tap with added carbonation.