Bayhawk Chocolate Porter

Bayhawk is in an interesting brewery, operating out of rented space in a McCormick & Schmick's restaurant they have lots of hurdles, including not being able to store their raw materials on site. Despite all that they manage to brew some superior beer.

Bayhawk is actually the brewer behind beers served in many namebrand restaurants including: Lucille's, Claim Jumper, Outback Steakhouse, Lazy Dog Cafe, and Wood Ranch BBQ. They also brew under the Tommy Bahama name and under Capistrano in Arizona.

Now I've had some porters that have claimed to be all kinds of flavors. Cappuccino, mocha(Rogue), coconut(Maui), even chai. This is the second chocolate offering I've reviewed, though Young's double chocolate is a stout most people won't argue in that stouts and porters carry many of the same characteristics. Aside from the coconut porter I have been largely disappointed in the flavored offerings. Until now.

Most porters are too thin for my liking. I like a little body to my beer as is evidenced by most of my reviews. Bayhawk manages to give this a little bit of substance without making it a breakfast beer. The aroma lacks punch but the taste doesn't. Though there is not a whole lot of chocolate nor roasty toasty on the nose there is just the right amount on the tongue to allow you to appreciate both without being overwhelmed. There is a little bit of hops on the backend. Easy drinking and at 5.4% you can have the whole 22 guilt free