I have always had a soft spot for the Oregon Brewing Company (Rogue Ales). They were instrumental in launching my craft beer journey. I credit Rogue's Dead Guy Ale as one of my primary bridges into better beer. Since that most kismet of days, I have been gleefully exploring the vast array of glorious nectar that the craft brew movement has bestowed upon us. Every time I come across something new from Rogue, I can't help but pluck it off the shelf knowing that I'm going to enjoy the experience. After all, Rogue has beyond established itself as one of America's primary craft breweries. I owe a lot to them and I will always feel compelled to support their business. Up next is the Rogue Mocha Porter.

In the glass, this beer has a dark brown coloration that is nearly black. Holding it up to a light source will reveal some slight edging around the sides. It comes with a creamy tan head that dissipates at a reasonable pace. On the nose, a rich malty coffee roast fills the air around the glass. I also detected some nuttiness, a whiff of dark chocolate, and a few smokey notes swirling around. Mmm mmm mmm! I couldn't wait to dive in for that first sip.

I would say the most interesting part of this beer is definitely the mouthfeel. It's very gritty, as you would expect from a harsh coffee roast. But, the body is surprisingly thin with a very clean finish, almost like the grit disappears halfway through the flavor train. Very strange, but also very cool. All you are left with is a bitter roast aftertaste with a tidy crispness. The primary flavor is of course the strong coffee roast, which comes across as more of a straight black than mocha. The other flavors are significantly muted by the roast and end up being inconsequential. It ends up being a simple purified roast that is actually quite refreshing. It's a very solid porter that is easy to drink and would qualify as a great session beer.

Overall, the Rogue Mocha Porter is a delicious brew that can be enjoyed by any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will enjoy it as yet another delectable creation from the always reliable Rogue Ales. Novices will especially benefit from this beer because it offers up some rich flavorings without being astringent. It's a perfect bridge into the porter style as well as fantastic study of a roasted malt profile. I would actually recommend this brew to novices above all because of the effects it will have on their beer psyche. Rogue's Mocha Porter by itself has the power elevate the very definition of good beer.