Brewer's Reserve Chocolate Porter
River Horse Brewing Co.
- From:
- River Horse Brewing Co.
- New Jersey, United States
- Style:
- American Porter
- ABV:
- 6.7%
- Score:
- 89
- Avg:
- 4.01 | pDev: 8.73%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 17
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Mar 17, 2020
- Added:
- May 06, 2012
- Wants:
- 2
- Gots:
- 20
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
We start with a brown porter brewed with dark roasted malts, and add one pound of chocolate per barrel. We then throw in some Madagascar Vanilla beans to accentuate the chocolate flavors, resulting in a decadent porter.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by NeilSilber1 from California
4.02/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 4
Pours deep dark chocolate with quick fading khaki head. Bold notes of chocolate and brown sugar. Taste of smooth silky chocolate porter. Nice easy drinking dark without the bitter punch that is often signature (and favored) in its more arrogant stout cousin. Packs a nice drink at 6.5% ABV but lacks carbonation and bite.
Mar 17, 2020
Reviewed by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania
4.26/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.26/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
On tap.
A - Dark brown pour with a layer of light tan creamy foam.
S - Chocolate fudge aroma dominates the nose with some cocoa and vanilla.
T - Roasty chocolate, fudge brownies, light chocolate char, vanilla, and ends with a lingering bittersweet chocolate fudge that errs more towards the sweet side.
M - Full body, velvety, sugary and sticky on the lips.
O - This is an exceptional Chocolate Porter with a lot of flavor. Recommended.
May 23, 2018A - Dark brown pour with a layer of light tan creamy foam.
S - Chocolate fudge aroma dominates the nose with some cocoa and vanilla.
T - Roasty chocolate, fudge brownies, light chocolate char, vanilla, and ends with a lingering bittersweet chocolate fudge that errs more towards the sweet side.
M - Full body, velvety, sugary and sticky on the lips.
O - This is an exceptional Chocolate Porter with a lot of flavor. Recommended.
Reviewed by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey
4.23/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.23/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Solid black , above average body,a little thick and creamy. Carbonation is just above average which takes away from the body a little. Aroma is all types of chocolate,milk,cocoa, dark, some cream,sugar and malt. Taste is very similar, milk chocolate, a small bit of espresso,cream and sweet malt. Overall a very decent porter
Mar 20, 2018
Reviewed by mkh012 from Colorado
4.08/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.08/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours near-black with a tan head and lasting lacing.
The nose is dark chocolate chips, bakers chocolate, and faint wood/char. Like brownie batter as it warms.
The taste is dark and milk chocolate, marshmallow, and licorice. Very minor roast and bitterness.
The mouthfeel is medium.
Overally, pretty good. Chocolatey without being over the top. Like Sam Smith Chocolate Stout, kind of.
Mar 17, 2018The nose is dark chocolate chips, bakers chocolate, and faint wood/char. Like brownie batter as it warms.
The taste is dark and milk chocolate, marshmallow, and licorice. Very minor roast and bitterness.
The mouthfeel is medium.
Overally, pretty good. Chocolatey without being over the top. Like Sam Smith Chocolate Stout, kind of.
Reviewed by KTCamm from New Jersey
3.8/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.8/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
5/2...pours dark black, very thin stretched layer of off-white/brown foam. Roasted coffee bitter nose. Subtle chocolate nose underneath. Chocolate filled flavor with a light grit and bitter back. Smooth, creamy, clean. Some milky taste mixed in. Mostly chocolate. Reminiscent of Sam Smith;s chocolate.
May 14, 2016
Reviewed by q33jeff from New Jersey
3.87/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.87/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
**
03/01/2015
On tap at blend. Chocolaty goodness in the aroma. Dark brown, black, color. Creamy, white head. Taste is chocolate, light light barley. Tasty beer. Borders on too sweet, but i think its ok.
**
Mar 19, 201603/01/2015
On tap at blend. Chocolaty goodness in the aroma. Dark brown, black, color. Creamy, white head. Taste is chocolate, light light barley. Tasty beer. Borders on too sweet, but i think its ok.
**
Reviewed by Eamonn-Cummings3 from New York
3.94/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12oz glass into a spieglau stout glass.
Look is pitch black with amber highlights at the edges . Thick frothy tan/coffee head.
Lots of astringent chocolate malt. Smells thick if that makes sense.
Taste doesn't exactly live up to aroma. Body is a little thin and roast doesn't really come through.
Good beer, but doesn't deliver on potential.
Mar 05, 2016Look is pitch black with amber highlights at the edges . Thick frothy tan/coffee head.
Lots of astringent chocolate malt. Smells thick if that makes sense.
Taste doesn't exactly live up to aroma. Body is a little thin and roast doesn't really come through.
Good beer, but doesn't deliver on potential.
Reviewed by justintcoons from Pennsylvania
3.27/5 rDev -18.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.27/5 rDev -18.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
12 oz bottle poured into a shaker pint.
Appearance
Mahongany with a 1/2 finger of tan head that dissipates quickly. Mucky looking yeast sediment is suspended throughout.
Nose
Semi-sweet chocolate, roasted barley, birch beer, licorice, and vanilla.
Taste
Roasted barley, cola, and birch beer. Lighter notes of black licorice and earthy hop flavors. Sprinkles of dusted cocoa.
Mouthfeel
Medium bodied, crisp, and silky with a light bitterness.
Overall
It's easy drinking with a fair amount of chocolate flavor, but overall the flavor profile is pretty restrained.
Dec 17, 2015Appearance
Mahongany with a 1/2 finger of tan head that dissipates quickly. Mucky looking yeast sediment is suspended throughout.
Nose
Semi-sweet chocolate, roasted barley, birch beer, licorice, and vanilla.
Taste
Roasted barley, cola, and birch beer. Lighter notes of black licorice and earthy hop flavors. Sprinkles of dusted cocoa.
Mouthfeel
Medium bodied, crisp, and silky with a light bitterness.
Overall
It's easy drinking with a fair amount of chocolate flavor, but overall the flavor profile is pretty restrained.
Reviewed by wattoclone from California
3.76/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
3.76/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
An easy drinking, smooth chocolate porter with all the makings of a great version of the style. For the price I was a little disappointed that it was not as rich as several of the other available offerings, especially since the the ABV is higher at 6.5% than the chocolate stouts like the Penn Chocolate Meltdown which is only 5.5% and costs less.
Dec 16, 2015
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