Mocha Porter – Lake of Bays Brewing Co.

So another beer from my new friends at Lake of Bays Brewing Co.  As I noted in my post on their Pale Ale, I would have been happy with them, even if they were making some very simple plain beers to support their production of exciting beers.  I would consider a Mocha Porter like this, exciting.  But their flag-ship Pale Ale was anything but plain and simple.  So what’s in store for the Mocha Porter?  Well, here’s what I know about it: It was a cooperative project between a few different companies in cottage-country; Savour Muskoka, a group dedicated to promoting food and drink in the Muskoka region; Diesel House coffee roasters, a coffee roaster in Bracebridge; and The Griffin Gastropub, the mighty pub of Curt Dunlop and Jed Corbeil.  Using inspiration from The Griffin and Savour Muskoka, and coffee from Diesel House, they brewed up a beer for those cold winter months in Muskoka.  Sounds good to me!

Mocha Porter – Lake of Bays Brewing Co.

From a mighty 750ml bottle with a nice obvious best before date on the back, the Mocha Porter pours a dark coffee black, hinting at brown around the edges.  A frothy tan head drops to a nice film after a few minutes, but lingers throughout the glass.  Aroma is just lovely, burnt sugar, rich chocolate, nice fresh coffee, hints of spicy hops, and a touch of rum.  Taste is immediately coffee, like, so punchy and fresh.  Nearly tastes like a cold coffee type drink that would cost you $16.72 at Starbucks.  Chocolate is there too, though the coffee cuts through most of it, and I think is being nicely complimented by the hops.  There is a nice bitterness, without being too dry or sticky.  As the beer warms a bit, that burnt sugar bitter-sweet shines through a bit more, with a nice sweet pop on the tip of your tongue and then a nice slightly smokiness that makes me think of the sugar on a creme brulee.  The mouthfeel is wonderful, a bit weighty, but without being heavy.  It’s smoothly creamy, with a nice gentle carbonation, making me wonder if there’s some oatmeal in the grain bill.  It’s got that soft creaminess without being cloying.  A really nice offering, perfect for the cooler months and a clear choice for an after-dinner brew.

Thanks, Lake of Bays!  Another great brew.

About the Brewery

Brewing…it’s in our blood! We may be new, but we like to think we’ve got some brewing history on our side. Following in his great-great-great grandfather’s steps, founder and President Darren Smith is dedicated to providing you with the best beer drinking experience Northern Ontario, and perhaps even the world (well, we like to think so), has to offer!