Pioneer Dark Harvest Imperial Porter
Connecticut Valley Brewing

On tap at the Dive Bar in Worcester this past weekend. I really wanted to have this beer so I could try an offering from this brewer. Served in a standard pint glass. Dark brown color, with a thin white head. Smell had a bit of coffee and smoke to it. Liked the flavor a lot. Dark cocoa and chocolate malt dominated. Mouthfeel was smooth but not overly thick. A very simple yet enjoyable beer to drink. A nice porter, but not entirely sure I'd call this one "imperial" by most standards.

The growler poured into my dogfish head snifter produced a finger worth of tan head that transformed to a thick lace across the glass. The body of the brew was the obligatory color for a porter black with tiny bubbles floating threw the brew.

Aromas of coffee and roasted malts filled my head along with a hint of hops. The body of the brew felt a medium thickness to my mouth. The only thing that really needed some work was the carbonation was maybe too much for a porter I think with a little less it might feel thicker. The flavor of roasted malts dominates this brew which is what I like in a porter but there is enough hops to make it an Imperial.

Really a good porter I'd drink it again in a heartbeat thanks again Pete for this awesome treat.

Pours a very dark brown with a nice tan head that sticks around. Nose is nice roasted and coffee tones. Flavor is hearty and fairly rich. Chocolate is there as a majority. Minor roasted tones on the backside. Molasses shows up and sits right in the midst of my palate as well. Halfway through my pint, it shows up even more, coating my mouth with it's thick flavors. The liquid feel is thicker bodied. The carbonation is a bit too intense as it firmly attacks my mouth. Regardless, this is quite a nice porter. Hearty and thick, but doesn't go overboard in trying to be too "Imperial". I love being able to try random beers of quality like this.

Many thanks to ppoitras for this one. Quite good.

Pours a jet black with a thick creamy tan head that sticks around with some nice lacing. Smells of some roasted malts with a hint of fresh hops. There is some coffee and a hint of milk chocolate. The taste is mostly roasted malts with a bitter coffee and a finish of creamy milk chocolate. Mouthfeel is creamy but a little on the thin side. This one drinks well which is good and expected from a porter. Thanks Pete for the tasty growler!!

Thanks to ppoitras for this one!!

Pours a cola-brown with ruby/burgundy highlights when held to light, nice sturdy tan head fades slow and leaves webs of lacing on the glass. Nice roasty aromas, coffee notes, maybe some faint milk chocolate. Lots more coffee flavor, slightly sweet, and an almost-there greenish hop presence around the edges...nice! Medium-bodied, maybe a touch thin for a beer with "Imperial" in the name. Very drinkable Porter, and I'm thinking this is going to work out great with tonight's dinner: Brinner!*

*Breakfast for dinner!!

Growler obtained from the cooler at Stein Hall.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1" dark tan head over clear burgundy brown brew. Thick pillowy head falls ever-so slowly, with sporadic lasting lace. Aroma is roasty dark sweetness. Taste starts with dark sweetness, some coffee notes in the middle, and some hops to close. Mouthfeel is velvety smooth, and drinkability is excellent. Maybe not as imperial abv-wise as some, but a very pleasing brew.