Dundee Porter

Okay, So onto the last of the mixed 12 pack of Dundee's. Their porter. Now, before we begin, there's a lot of debate between what is a porter and stout. Are they the same and it's all up to what the brewer decides to call it? Well, here's an easy answer- Porters are lighter in body than stouts, the mouthfeel isn't as thick. There is a lot I could go in, but I don't want to lose the audience.

This pours a dark brown with a light khaki head that sticks around a bit. The aroma has tones of chocolate and caramel, but faint. After dipping my nose in the beer, accidentally, it's time to review the taste instead of tying to get more out of (or in) the nose. The taste has tones of coffee with some light hints of chocolate and almost a wheat-like flavor. No real trace of hops. A nice, light mouthfeel with no trace of alcohol (this is 6.5%). The finish is slightly sticky with notes of roasted coffee.  The foam left on the side of the pint glass is thick and does not subside.

This is probably the most impressive flavor out of this particular mixed selection Dundee has (Their summer mixed pack has a kolsch that's pretty good). It is satisfying and a good representation of the porter on a budget. Although I will say, this is training wheels for porters. If you want THE porter that all will be rated against, go out and find Gonzo from Flying Dog (upcoming review on 2 barrel aged versions and the normal Gonzo). But back to this brew. I have nothing else to really add, so I'll turn it over to my partner in crime for her review.

3.3/5

-Nathan-

I don't have a whole lot to add here. I don't get that it's necessarily dark brown in color... more like a deep amber, almost like a watered down (regular) Coke with melted ice. And the head (on mine, anyway) was ridiculous. Then there's the taste. Decent representation of the flavors that go into a porter, but it's like it was mixed with water. Lots of water. So much water that Fred Durst got it wrong: it's not "Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water", it's the other way around.

Sigh. I just can't help feeling a little disappointed and unsatisfied, much like when an average girl hooks up with the hottest guy in school with the biggest ego.

2.8/5 caps

-Jennie