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Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
Cleveland, Ohio
BJCP Category: 12B Robust Porter
Great Lakes Brewing Co. <visit site>
40
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[expand]Total Score: 39/50
This is a complex Robust Porter that’s true to the style. The earthy, minerally, chalky aroma and flavor was, for me, distracting and unwelcome in an otherwise excellent beer. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Roasted, chocolate malts up front with light piney, floral hop aroma, faint esters reminiscent of cherries and noticeable alcohol in the background. No diacetyl. No DMS. Some minerally, chalky, earthy notes that are a bit out of place, not providing as clean an aroma as might be expected. (9/12)
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Appearance: Black, nearly opaque with deep ruby-red highlights. Good foam stand and head retention. Very inviting appearance is appropriate to style. (3/3)
Flavor: Moderately high roasted, chocolate malts with slight burnt and coffee notes. Light diacetyl; no DMS. High hop bitterness; low hop flavor. Lingering dry finish from roasted malts. Some alcohol and fruity esters—not out of place for the style—that contribute to complexity. Balance is fairly even with both high maltiness and hop bitterness but the hops linger in the aftertaste. There’s also a chalky, mineral taste that’s out of place for the style, otherwise a very nice Robust Porter. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied with medium carbonation. Sharp edges and some astringency to mouthfeel from hop bitterness and dry, roasted malt finish. Alcohol warmth is moderate. (4/5)
Overall Impression: This is a complex Robust Porter that’s true to the style. The earthy, minerally, chalky aroma and flavor was, for me, distracting and unwelcome in an otherwise excellent beer. Perhaps the brewing water was over-treated
to increase carbonate hardness. Reducing this would have added to the drinkability. Still, it’s quite drinkable, accompanying a pot roast, raw oysters or just sipping in a pub with good conversation. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 40/50
Roasty grain and rich sweet malt are well balanced, dominate the ripe rich stone fruit esters and any hop flavor. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Chocolate roasty malt aroma, with notes of ripe, fresh prunes with a hint of floral hop aroma. Sweet chocolate richness and fruity esters blend into molasses with a note of alcohol as the beer warms a bit. Slight acidic note. (7/12)
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Appearance: Very clear, deep brown-black with deep ruby, elegantly golden highlighted heart when held to the light. Creamy, persistent tan head leaves delicate silky lace on the sides of the glass. (3/3)
Flavor: Chocolate and roast malt dominate up front, with balancing sweetness mid-palate. Balance of sweetness, chocolate and roast is reminiscent of 88-percent cocoa chocolate, quite deep and rich with a clean roasty finish. Hop flavor is subdued, but some hop bitterness is distinguishable from the roast quality of the malt. Not sharp or harsh, but rich and complex with a hint of ripe prune fruitiness in the finish. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium full body with creamy, silky texture and medium-low carbonation. Some roast astringent notes balance the fullness, and provide a clean finish. (5/5)
Overall Impression: Roasty grain and rich sweet malt are well balanced, dominate the ripe rich stone fruit esters and any hop flavor. Rich sweetness and fuller body are bigger than some of the West Coast examples of the style with which I am more familiar. The roasted acidity would work well with sweet molasses cake with raisins, or with a creamy farmer’s cheese and pears with dark rye bread. This is a definite treat! (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 41/50
Well-crafted beer highlighted by lush mocha and bittersweet chocolate notes in the aroma. Dangerously drinkable and a worthy member of the Robust Porter family. more >
[close]Total Score: 41/50
Aroma: Initial burst of acrid sharpness followed by roasted malt phenols. Bittersweet chocolate notes emerge as it warms with an enticing hint of mocha. Light fruitiness with some ethanol. Perhaps a hint of citrus/American hops, but it is woven into the roasted grain character. (10/12)
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Appearance: Deep garnet/brown in color, with a long-lasting beige head. Conditioning is excellent, as is the clarity. Textbook example of a Robust Porter. (3/3)
Flavor: Crystal malt sweetness and bittersweet chocolate malt at the forefront, becoming increasingly roasty. Finish has an assertive bitterness with contributions from both malt and hops. Burnt notes are a little high for my taste, but better to be robust than wimpy. No discernible hop flavor, which is more typical than not in this style. Clean fermentation profile, with some dark malt acidity to help balance the finish. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Good carbonation level and creaminess. Some alcoholic warmth is evident, but subtle. Astringency is on the high side and cuts into the smoothness of the finish. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Well-crafted beer highlighted by lush mocha and bittersweet chocolate notes in the aroma. The flavor has these same traits, but the burnt malt character is a little too aggressive. Nonetheless, the overall package is dangerously drinkable and a worthy member of the Robust Porter family. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 43/50
Classic. Big grain/roast character with assertive hopping. Great dark chocolate flavors. more >
[close]Total Score: 43/50
Aroma: Pronounced chocolate and espresso notes, moderate spicy hops, a bit of alcohol. Deeper roast complexity and some esters become evident as it warms. Grainy malt underneath. Clean, complex and inviting. (10/12)
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Appearance: Deep chocolate-brown, clear when viewed with a flashlight, moderate-sized brown head. (3/3)
Flavor: Like very dark chocolate, a hint of malty-caramelly sweetness initially but with a bitter chocolate finish. Medium-dry. Medium-high bitterness. Moderate hop flavor—earthy. Robust yet clean flavors. Rich, smooth palate with a slightly rough finish. Hops and grain become more assertive in the aftertaste, as does the hop flavor. Clean yeast character. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-high carbonation. Medium to medium-full body. Somewhat warming. Some grainy/roasty astringency. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Classic. Big grain/roast character with assertive hopping. Great dark chocolate flavors. Alcohol and rough finish suggest that this might be a young sample that will improve with some cellaring. Exemplifies the descriptor “robust.” Like chocolate-covered espresso beans. (9/10)
