Beer of the Weekend #566: Mudpuppy Porter
The beer of the weekend is Mudpuppy Porter, brewed by the Central Waters Brewing Company of Amherst, Wisconsin.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. A smudged “04414” is written on the neck but I have no clue if that is supposed to be a freshness date or not.
Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is non-opaque black; light easily passes through. A finger of dense, light tan, buttery foam settles slowly and unevenly, leaving short trails of lacing along the glass.
Smell: Deep, dark, and roasty. The roast is not overpowering, but it is still prominent and enticing. There are also scents of caramel, molasses, Hershey’s bar chocolate, and dark fruit. Overall, the aroma is a pleasant blend.
Taste: The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, yet very soft and delicate. Much like the aromas, the flavors create a pleasing blend. The roast is light and the milk chocolate is most prominent. Flavors of caramel, toffee, a little molasses, and dark fruit are also present. Hop bitterness comes on strong at the end and lingers on the taste buds long after each sip.
Drinkability: Good stuff. It is not super, in-your-face robust, but it is a very tasty and smooth porter.
Fun facts about Mudpuppy Porter:
-Style: Porter.
-Price: $8.99/sixer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Alcohol content: 5.5 percent ABV.
-Description from the brewery website:
-According to the brewery’s website, Central Waters is committed to “being one of the most environmentally sustainable breweries in the nation.”
-Speaking about Central Waters, I was interviewing a brewer today and got him talking about brewery names. He told me there is an old mantra when naming a brewery: “pick your local critter, river, or natural feature.” That is something I never realized before: many breweries and their beers are named after local critters, rivers, and natural features.
-Central Waters, eh? It kind of reminds me of… Crystal Waters. I love that song.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. A smudged “04414” is written on the neck but I have no clue if that is supposed to be a freshness date or not.
Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is non-opaque black; light easily passes through. A finger of dense, light tan, buttery foam settles slowly and unevenly, leaving short trails of lacing along the glass.
Smell: Deep, dark, and roasty. The roast is not overpowering, but it is still prominent and enticing. There are also scents of caramel, molasses, Hershey’s bar chocolate, and dark fruit. Overall, the aroma is a pleasant blend.
Taste: The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, yet very soft and delicate. Much like the aromas, the flavors create a pleasing blend. The roast is light and the milk chocolate is most prominent. Flavors of caramel, toffee, a little molasses, and dark fruit are also present. Hop bitterness comes on strong at the end and lingers on the taste buds long after each sip.
Drinkability: Good stuff. It is not super, in-your-face robust, but it is a very tasty and smooth porter.
Fun facts about Mudpuppy Porter:
-Style: Porter.
-Price: $8.99/sixer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Alcohol content: 5.5 percent ABV.
-Description from the brewery website:
A favorite among dark beer lovers, Mudpuppy is a robust and refreshing porter characterized by its thick rocky head and luscious chocolate-like nose plus delicate char. Its malty profile is uniquely well balanced by liberal hopping for its style.
-According to the brewery’s website, Central Waters is committed to “being one of the most environmentally sustainable breweries in the nation.”
-Speaking about Central Waters, I was interviewing a brewer today and got him talking about brewery names. He told me there is an old mantra when naming a brewery: “pick your local critter, river, or natural feature.” That is something I never realized before: many breweries and their beers are named after local critters, rivers, and natural features.
-Central Waters, eh? It kind of reminds me of… Crystal Waters. I love that song.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
