A trademark beer of the Santa Fe Brewing Company’s master brewer, Ty Levis, the State Pen Porter has every reason to be one of his favorites. It is flavorful, swimming with notes of nuts and chocolate; it is drinkable, so drinkable that it is almost as if pint after pint were drinking itself; and it packs a punch, so much so that its drinkability rapidly gives way to a euphoric intoxication that only a true Porter drinker can understand.
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by Sap from Tucson, AZ, USA who has tried this beer once. (3/4/2008 10:00:47 PM)
"Pours with a frothy, almost three-finger thick, light brown colored head that clings quite thickly to the sides of my glass as it slowly recedes. The beer is a nice, burnt, dark chocolate color, but if held up to the light it shows a dark, brilliantly clear, ruby colored luminescence in the depths of its dark body. The aroma has a nice roast fruitiness to it that is noticeable upon pouring it. Other aromas of chocolate, well toasted grain, burnt cherry & berry notes and lightly roasted coffee beans are noticed upon deeper inspection. The roast / dark malt notes can get a little sharp / harsh at times, but overall this is quite a nicely aromatic nose.
Lightly sweet, with quite a bit more body fullness than I was expecting. The sweet malt notes feel velvety even and this beer coats & clings to the mouth like one would expect of a much bigger beer. There seems to be a bit of an off flavor here, which is really a shame as the richness of this brew was really quite something. This off flavor is very subtle, but seems to contribute a mix of flavors reminiscent of burnt, cooked cabbage / broccoli and perhaps something a bit like spoiled watermelon. Up front this beer has a rich, chocolate flavor to it, but it gets more roasted and slightly burnt towards the finish where it picks up some roast bitterness, a light burnt grain acidity, flavors reminiscent of black and darkly roasted coffee. As the beer warms up a bit it loses a bit more of the previously subtle off-flavors and becomes even more like a chocolate elixir.
This would be an incredibly good Porter if not for that bit of off character. The texture is very nice (not too heavy, but still rich and satiating) and this beer reminds me quite a bit of Fullers London Porter, but more roasted.
Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ"
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.8)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $1.45 Unit Cost: $1.93 per Pint
[2] Review by Chef Chad from Grand Junction, CO, USA who has tried this beer once. (1/13/2008 3:00:33 PM)
"Pours almost black ithe a bit of a nice brown head.. very roasty and nutty aroma. Flavor is a traditional porter taste. Very Good beer nice a coffee like..."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
10/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $1.49 Unit Cost: $1.99 per Pint
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(3.8)
