Rogue Brewery in Newport, OR

You know when I said yesterday that I’m kind of afraid that we’re nearing the end of dark beer season? That I’m worried the abundance of stouts and porters will soon be giving way to a lighter fare? That in just a few more months I won’t be able to slather my body in used oil sludge and bask in the glow of the moonlight as the hazelnut hues reflect back toward the cold Montana sky? OK, so I’ve never gotten that carried away with some of my favorite stouts or porters, but it’s still kind of a bummer when my favorite types of beers go out of season, or when the bottles I have slowly find themselves in my stomach and then are gone for another year. But regardless of all that, we’re still in dark beer season, dammit, and I’m going to embrace it. Plus, with beers like Rogue’s Mocha Porter, I see no reason why winter needs to leave anytime soon.

Though I’m typically a big fan of uniquely named beers, Rogue sometimes likes to keep things simple, a la their Mocha Porter (at least there’s no confusion about what you’re heading into). Pouring a dirty, dark auburn color, the Mocha Porter immediately smelled chocolaty, with just a touch of a light pistachio scent caressing the malt. The taste dropped the initial pistachio smell and quickly transformed into a rather woodsy and burnt mocha taste that was easily the most dominant flavor in the beer. The aftertaste hung in the mouth for decades, with a flavor of a roasted and chocolate-covered espresso bean sitting on the back of the tongue forever. Subsequent sips revealed much of the same, but with also a nice and sleek hit of hops up front. The burnt malt taste really dominated this beer, though, and for people looked for a milder and tamer beer, this probably wouldn’t be for you. Even so, the beer didn’t taste super thick, and the wateriness of this made it more like a porter, but a very pleasant and drinkable one at that.

Again, I must admit that if you’re not ready for this beer it might come as a surprise to you. Comparing the taste of this beer with a common experience is tough but if I had to pick one, I’d say it was like drinking an alcholic, thick, and dark coffee directly in front of a smoldering campfire while occasionally shoving your head and mug into the smokey eruptions. The beer really does taste that woodsy and toasted. For a winter’s night, this would be a good pick. For a summer’s night, this wouldn’t be bad either. Just be ready for a trip into the campfire with the taste. And I won’t rub this one all over my body in the woods. I promise.