The Old Toad Smokin' Toad Porter
CB Craft Brewers

 

 

On draft at The Old Toad in Rochester- pours a very dark brown with no light getting through. Very little hear but a nice ring of foam around the edges and nice streaks of lacing.

Smell- a little faint but pleasant. Smells of coffee and dark malt.

Tastes fantastic- one of the best dark brews that I've had. Rich coffee and chocolate flavors that last for a while while not overly sweet. There is also a distinctly smoky flavors the bartender tells me that it's made with two types of smoked malt.

Mouthfeel is good- medium to full bodied with light carbonation. For my taste it could be slightly more carbonated. If you are in Rochester you must have this beer as it is exclusive this this bar.

This was served from the tap at The Old Toad in Rochester, NY. It arrive in a nonic glass, and shown a dark black, with flecks of red peeking through the bottom with some light. The finger stood one finger tall, and was composed of thick tan bubbles. This retained well, leaving gloriously thick lacing around the glass. No sediment was noted, and carbonation appeared minimal. The aroma was of rich and roasty malts, medicinal phenols, light balancing cream, and a coffee steeliness. A vinegar sourness washed over everything, and a licorice tartness to a final bite from the nose. As we sipped, the first thought was “bitterness”. This came in the form of supremely roasted malts, which were both dark and steely from the onset. There was an additional coppery bite which was otherwise missing from the first of the grain. The middle peaked at the point where the smokiness came crashing in. Along with it came lactic sourness, mixing thoroughly with the roasted malts. These flavors melded and persisted until the end, where a sweetness of cream and sugar, and softer malts, came to be. The aftertaste breathed of thick smoke and peat, and a surprising lemony and citric hop. The body was medium and the carbonation was lower. There was great sip and slurp, as the beer left the mouth lightly coated, and ultimately dried and satisfied. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank easily enough.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the flavoring. The malts and smoke came through amazingly well, with a great mixing from hops at the very end. Everything that was advertised was there and then some. Compared to others within the style this one is a bit soft, but again, the hop presence added something to an otherwise pretty traditional beer. This is another nice one on the house menu at The Old Toad.