Church-Key Decadent Chocolate Porter

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

20oz draught
8.0% ABV
The 8.0% ABV was clearly written on the keg. I tried this beer on January 11, 2008 at "Smokeless Joe's" in Toronto. The beer poured a brownish black with a finger thick tannish creamy head. The aroma was a mixture of roasted malts and chocolate. The mouthfeel was medium bodied, creamy, and medium carbonation. The taste was definitely chocolatey. The alcohol, while not tasted, was certainly felt.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Tapped at the church-key brewery by brewmaster Dan. In a pint porter glass, this dark brew poured a dark chocolate opaque, ebony color that almost defies light through the glass. Holding the glass to a bright light reveals a hint of dark red mahogany as the light barely seeps through this thick looking brew. Low carbonation gave a medium toffee colored frothy cap that disipated halfway through the drink to a brown lace that clings to the glass. Has a definate aroma of cocoa, with undertones of spices fruit and coffee. Starts crisp where some of the effervescence is imparted then builds to the strong cocoa-coffee, almost cola, maltiness blended and balenced off well with just the proper golding hops... then the finish is rather thin with the hops creatinf a mellow lingering bittering. A nice balanced flavored porter...not sweet not dry ...just right with a chocolate accent...very pleasant to quaff on a cool night with some oysters or cold roast beef. The only fault I find is it is a bit too thin for my taste in a porter. and the ABV should be around 7%...then we would have something here! One of the better local porters on tap in Canada but still a wee bit lacking. UPDATE: Since I posted this review, I've had the opportunity to use this porter in some "sessions" at a regional pub that carries it on tap. It passes my test of repeatable drinkability and you never tire of the unique delicious falvor. This truely is a good local porter.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Bottle: Poured a pitch black porter with a timid head with almost no retention. Aroma is quite sweet with some notes of roasted malt. Taste is very representative of the name, i.e. tons of sweet chocolate with some roasted malts. Would make a great combo with some chocolate cake. Lack a bit of bitterness and body to make truly world class but still very much enjoyable.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Sampled at Vineyards in Ottawa. Poured a dark colour with red highlights and a brown head with spots of lacing. Aromas were of coffee and had quite a bitter scent. The taste was slightly bitter with a mild chocolat finish. Also, there was a small fruity taste to the mouth. Mouthfeel was smooth and slightly creamy.