This appears to be a staple product at taprooms around Boston, and I can’t say I blame them - it’s rather novel (for the inexperienced), and pretty approachable - dark brown with a small, off-white head - aroma of spent coffee grounds and cream - somewhat thin-bodied, and quite bitter - some sweet cream character arrives late - the coffee flavor seems stale and tobacco-like - the overall impression is like drinking a cup of sweetened coffee that has been sitting out all day - now, I love coffee, even if it’s been sitting out all day, but for most it might be a turn-off.

Draught pint at Redbones on 5/30/06. Deep brown, milk-chocolate appearance, though not completely opaque. Dark beige head fades fairly rapidly to ring, with little to no lacing. Hazelnut and husky coffee beans are prominent in the nose, with a strong roasted barley lying behind it. But its staying power is rather weak, as light milk notes and lean caramel move in to the mix. Some light papery, dry yeast notes, quite nutty on the finish, with soft vanilla tints. The flavor is watery at first, with light chocolate malts hints up front and soft caramel quickly transitioning in to the coffee bean flavor, which is not subtle, by any means, but quite flavorful and not overdone either. Dry, bitter black malt notes ride on the tail-end, and then a heavy wateriness begins to build, as soft milky/chocolate sweetness (though quite lean) sits on the end, with plenty of fresh yeasty nuttiness and more of the light vanilla notes. Carbonation was rather loose, and it did seem just a bit too watery, even for a session porter, but the flavors, as usual for this brewer, are all well-done. Alcohol is not apparent in aroma or flavor.

Sampled at the Ohio Labor Day gathering, provided by me via trade with OldGrowth. Deep red-brown body, light/thin off-white head. Big coffee and roasted malt aroma, which carried over into the coffee-dominated body, in addition to notes of baker’s chocolate. Medium-bodied, not too complex. I think I liked the Drayman’s Porter a bit better, with its lighter emphasis on coffee beans, but this sample luckily lacked the DMS problem.

Acquired via trade. For a guy who can’t stand coffee I sure like it in beer. Very dark brown color with a medium thick and foamy dark beige head. Thick lacing that doesn’t move much. Strong roasted coffee aroma with a nice dark malt undertone. Medium-bodied with a tasty bitter coffee flavor. Strong roasty character with some sweet malt and smoke. The finish is pretty soft but retains some coffee bitterness. Overall a pretty enjoyable brew.

Cask at GBBF Very dark brown. Coffee and roasted malt on nose, more chocolate than coffee really, not a big fan of this.