100 Barrel Series #56 - Kettle Cup Thunder Foam
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- American Porter
- ABV:
- 6.8%
- Score:
- 86
- Avg:
- 3.83 | pDev: 9.4%
- Reviews:
- 16
- Ratings:
- From:
- Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
- Massachusetts, United States
- Avail:
- Retired (no longer brewed)
- Wants
- 2
- Gots
- 16
SCORE
86
Very Good
86
Very Good
Notes:
Ancho & poblano chili peppers with cocoa nibs.
Reviews: 16
| Ratings: 51
3.35/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
pulled this from the cellar...
eyes...
thunder FOAM indeed.. geez, almost 4 fingers on an easy pour, dark ruby hue, good lacing, takes a while for this head to settle down (I guess I will take up scrimshaw in the meantime)
nose...
a touch of roasty coffee (mild), some of the cocoa, some sweetness... the chiles?, almost that scent of when you reconstitute dried chiles in warm water, interesting but nothing special
taste etc...
a nice, smooth and dry drinking porter, the chiles only seem to appear on the front of my tongue, I definitely sense them being an avid chile head, mostly this is a more cocoa forward porter in most aspects, the dominant note is chocolate (especially in the finish), it does make for a strange pairing, most porters do not have that little strange bite upfront... not sure if I love it, but it is different, medium bodied all the way through
verdict?
Tasty... kind of odd... not sure if I need the variation on the porter offered here. It's a really nice beer but for me the chiles did not add the right depth. cool attempt though, unique.
1,074 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
pulled this from the cellar...
eyes...
thunder FOAM indeed.. geez, almost 4 fingers on an easy pour, dark ruby hue, good lacing, takes a while for this head to settle down (I guess I will take up scrimshaw in the meantime)
nose...
a touch of roasty coffee (mild), some of the cocoa, some sweetness... the chiles?, almost that scent of when you reconstitute dried chiles in warm water, interesting but nothing special
taste etc...
a nice, smooth and dry drinking porter, the chiles only seem to appear on the front of my tongue, I definitely sense them being an avid chile head, mostly this is a more cocoa forward porter in most aspects, the dominant note is chocolate (especially in the finish), it does make for a strange pairing, most porters do not have that little strange bite upfront... not sure if I love it, but it is different, medium bodied all the way through
verdict?
Tasty... kind of odd... not sure if I need the variation on the porter offered here. It's a really nice beer but for me the chiles did not add the right depth. cool attempt though, unique.
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3.65/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This was poured into a becher pint glass. The appearance was a black color with a one finger white to off white foamy head that dissipated within about thirty seconds leaving some foamy lacing all around. The smell had the cocoa nibs up front, fairly dry. Chili’s come across super light. The taste was mainly dry sweet and then the light spice from the chilis slide in underneath in the aftertaste. Semi-smooth dry finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a fairly decent sessionability about it. Carbonation runs fairly light. Overall, I say this was a decent porter. It’s pretty dry all around. And the spices don’t kick in as much as I thought they would have. Maybe again.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This was poured into a becher pint glass. The appearance was a black color with a one finger white to off white foamy head that dissipated within about thirty seconds leaving some foamy lacing all around. The smell had the cocoa nibs up front, fairly dry. Chili’s come across super light. The taste was mainly dry sweet and then the light spice from the chilis slide in underneath in the aftertaste. Semi-smooth dry finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a fairly decent sessionability about it. Carbonation runs fairly light. Overall, I say this was a decent porter. It’s pretty dry all around. And the spices don’t kick in as much as I thought they would have. Maybe again.
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3.67/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Overall, just a moderately OK porter. I get a hint of chocolate flavor but no real chili flavor. The mouth feel also feels off for a porter. My bottle seemed quite carbonated and bubbly.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Overall, just a moderately OK porter. I get a hint of chocolate flavor but no real chili flavor. The mouth feel also feels off for a porter. My bottle seemed quite carbonated and bubbly.
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4/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22 oz bottle served in a goblet.
Pours clear, dark, reddish brown with a semi-durable beige head.
Aroma: The poblano and chili peppers are both evident and mix with notes of dark bread. Hints of cocoa.
Flavor: adequate dark roasted grain for style and given the judicious level of poblano and chili peppers. There’s also a moderate amount of coffee, subtle dark chocolate and earthy hops, and a hint of black pepper too.
Feel: smooth and medium-full body, with no burn but just some warmth from the chilies despite the obvious pepper flavor and aromas. Medium carbonation.
578 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22 oz bottle served in a goblet.
Pours clear, dark, reddish brown with a semi-durable beige head.
Aroma: The poblano and chili peppers are both evident and mix with notes of dark bread. Hints of cocoa.
Flavor: adequate dark roasted grain for style and given the judicious level of poblano and chili peppers. There’s also a moderate amount of coffee, subtle dark chocolate and earthy hops, and a hint of black pepper too.
Feel: smooth and medium-full body, with no burn but just some warmth from the chilies despite the obvious pepper flavor and aromas. Medium carbonation.
578 characters
3.81/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From the bottle, it pours dark brown, almost black with a small head. I get more chocolate less pepper in the nose. The mouth follows the nose. Enjoyable.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From the bottle, it pours dark brown, almost black with a small head. I get more chocolate less pepper in the nose. The mouth follows the nose. Enjoyable.
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3.98/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A-color is a very dark brown, almost black, with a fingers worth of khaki colored head
S-pepper spice, chocolate, and a bit of roast
T-taste matches the smell with a chocolate malt backbone, light roast, and pepper that builds as the beer warms
M-just barely medium body and crisp carbonation
Overall really nice spice notes in the smell and aroma, but an imperial version of this would probably be really great
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A-color is a very dark brown, almost black, with a fingers worth of khaki colored head
S-pepper spice, chocolate, and a bit of roast
T-taste matches the smell with a chocolate malt backbone, light roast, and pepper that builds as the beer warms
M-just barely medium body and crisp carbonation
Overall really nice spice notes in the smell and aroma, but an imperial version of this would probably be really great
416 characters
4.09/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
An excellent body and head is accompanied by a smoky, peppery flavor. This is a very good beer. I swear pepper flavor tastes good in any beer, but in this particular example the balance is finely crafted.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
An excellent body and head is accompanied by a smoky, peppery flavor. This is a very good beer. I swear pepper flavor tastes good in any beer, but in this particular example the balance is finely crafted.
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4.13/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: Pours a near pitch black with 2 fingers of head that slowly fades down to a nice cap that leaves lots of sticky lacing
S: Nice roast and caramel maltiness up front with a good deal of heat and vegetal pepper notes. Cocoa and chocolate in there as well. Solid
T: Follows the nose. Starts off with the roast and some light sweetness from the caramel and chocolate maltiness. Cocoa and a light spicy pepper kick up next. Heat very slowly builds up, but never gets even more than moderately spicy/hot. Finishes with light pepper notes and roast
M: Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth
O: A solid pepper and cocoa porter that nicely highlights both ingredients while seamlessly integrating both together. Nice and easy to drink, but it would be a great sipper if it were kicked up a notch on both the heat and abv scale. Definitely worth trying, regardless
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: Pours a near pitch black with 2 fingers of head that slowly fades down to a nice cap that leaves lots of sticky lacing
S: Nice roast and caramel maltiness up front with a good deal of heat and vegetal pepper notes. Cocoa and chocolate in there as well. Solid
T: Follows the nose. Starts off with the roast and some light sweetness from the caramel and chocolate maltiness. Cocoa and a light spicy pepper kick up next. Heat very slowly builds up, but never gets even more than moderately spicy/hot. Finishes with light pepper notes and roast
M: Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth
O: A solid pepper and cocoa porter that nicely highlights both ingredients while seamlessly integrating both together. Nice and easy to drink, but it would be a great sipper if it were kicked up a notch on both the heat and abv scale. Definitely worth trying, regardless
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4.34/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I'm a big fan of this brew. Pours dark with a nice head, smell is rich and chocolaty. The taste is heavy chocolate with some smoke, milkiness like hot chocolate, and a slight heat from the peppers. Delicious beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I'm a big fan of this brew. Pours dark with a nice head, smell is rich and chocolaty. The taste is heavy chocolate with some smoke, milkiness like hot chocolate, and a slight heat from the peppers. Delicious beer.
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3.62/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A - Dark brown pour that's almost black in color, light toffee colored soapy lacing ring.
S - Chocolate and light pepper aroma, sweet chocolate cream.
T - Light chocolate and peppers.
M - Medium body with a smooth finish.
O - I like Harpoon but I found this beer to be pretty mundane, unfortunately. Bummed.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A - Dark brown pour that's almost black in color, light toffee colored soapy lacing ring.
S - Chocolate and light pepper aroma, sweet chocolate cream.
T - Light chocolate and peppers.
M - Medium body with a smooth finish.
O - I like Harpoon but I found this beer to be pretty mundane, unfortunately. Bummed.
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4/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a 13 oz Weyerbacher tulip glass, best by 6/16/26. Pours a very dark brown with a 3 finger light tan head that leaves plenty of lace behind.
Smell is chili peppers, chai, cinnamon, chocolate, coffee, and vanilla.
Taste follows nicely chai, cinammon, dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and vanilla.
Mouthfeel is around medium, nice carbonation, a little dry, and very easy drinking.
Overall this is a very nice brew, a little heat from the peppees, but so much more to it than the spicyness. Pretty impressed with this one.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a 13 oz Weyerbacher tulip glass, best by 6/16/26. Pours a very dark brown with a 3 finger light tan head that leaves plenty of lace behind.
Smell is chili peppers, chai, cinnamon, chocolate, coffee, and vanilla.
Taste follows nicely chai, cinammon, dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and vanilla.
Mouthfeel is around medium, nice carbonation, a little dry, and very easy drinking.
Overall this is a very nice brew, a little heat from the peppees, but so much more to it than the spicyness. Pretty impressed with this one.
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4.15/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Swillburger/The Playhouse in Rochester, NY.
This one pours a very dark brown, almost black, with a one inch head, and a bit of lacing.
Smells like milk chocolate, roasty malt, and a bit of fleshy chili pepper.
This has a really nice balance to it, the chocolate and chili character are about equal. The chili heat lingers slightly on the palate. There's a good amount of roast here too- always appreciated.
This has a really creamy mouthfeel, super rich, with a normal level of carbonation.
Harpoon tends to make some pretty fun beers in this series and this is no exception.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Swillburger/The Playhouse in Rochester, NY.
This one pours a very dark brown, almost black, with a one inch head, and a bit of lacing.
Smells like milk chocolate, roasty malt, and a bit of fleshy chili pepper.
This has a really nice balance to it, the chocolate and chili character are about equal. The chili heat lingers slightly on the palate. There's a good amount of roast here too- always appreciated.
This has a really creamy mouthfeel, super rich, with a normal level of carbonation.
Harpoon tends to make some pretty fun beers in this series and this is no exception.
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3.89/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Deep brown where light shines through the center of the glass. Streaky beige lace from a moderate head.
Starts with the smell of freshly whipped cream. I get hints of berry and vanilla.
Mild start to the taste. I note blackberry and a creamsicle flavor. The finish is far stronger but mainly of the same flavors. Low carbonation with a thicker than average body. The aftertaste brings out some coffee bitterness.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Deep brown where light shines through the center of the glass. Streaky beige lace from a moderate head.
Starts with the smell of freshly whipped cream. I get hints of berry and vanilla.
Mild start to the taste. I note blackberry and a creamsicle flavor. The finish is far stronger but mainly of the same flavors. Low carbonation with a thicker than average body. The aftertaste brings out some coffee bitterness.
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3.76/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a deep mahogany with a full one finger khaki colored head atop.Sweetish in the nose with a bit of vanilla and caramel,there is a light chili element in there as well.The feel could be a bit fuller but it's not sharp and/or prickly.The cocoa nibs play a big role on the palate over top of caramel and brown sugar,there is an ever so slight roasted chili note in the back end along with some drying earthiness.Not bad but it packs a little punch in the feel and on the palate.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a deep mahogany with a full one finger khaki colored head atop.Sweetish in the nose with a bit of vanilla and caramel,there is a light chili element in there as well.The feel could be a bit fuller but it's not sharp and/or prickly.The cocoa nibs play a big role on the palate over top of caramel and brown sugar,there is an ever so slight roasted chili note in the back end along with some drying earthiness.Not bad but it packs a little punch in the feel and on the palate.
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3.82/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Sweetness on the nose. Dark chocolate, roasted malt, hints of vanilla and chicory bitterness. Getting absolutely zero pepper flavors. It's a solid porter but no pepper flavor is bringing this down. Eh.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Sweetness on the nose. Dark chocolate, roasted malt, hints of vanilla and chicory bitterness. Getting absolutely zero pepper flavors. It's a solid porter but no pepper flavor is bringing this down. Eh.
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3.96/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On-tap 2/7/2016 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a tulip glass.
A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a large beige head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains roasted malts, coffee, chocolate and some hops.
T: The taste starts out with a hearty roasted malt character along with flavors of coffee, chocolate and dark fruit. Then some mild smokiness comes in. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly smoky and slightly sweet.
M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is dry slightly sticky.
O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, this is a solid beer to drink for a while if you’re in the mood for the style.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On-tap 2/7/2016 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a tulip glass.
A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a large beige head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains roasted malts, coffee, chocolate and some hops.
T: The taste starts out with a hearty roasted malt character along with flavors of coffee, chocolate and dark fruit. Then some mild smokiness comes in. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly smoky and slightly sweet.
M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is dry slightly sticky.
O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, this is a solid beer to drink for a while if you’re in the mood for the style.
818 characters
100 Barrel Series #56 - Kettle Cup Thunder Foam from Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
Beer rating:
86 out of
100 with
51 ratings
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