Meantime Chocolate Porter

As mentioned in a previous post, I’ve had a couple of memory lapses lately, buying a beer I thought was on the list when it in fact wasn’t. I corrected this by posting the list to this blog, so that when I’m out and about, I can take a quick gander before I buy.

I approached the bar recently, and spotted a bottle of Meantime Chocolate Porter in one of the beer fridges. Without hesitation, I ordered one and took it back to my seat. One of my fellow drinkers, who is way ahead of me on his 300 list, pointed out that the Meantime Chocolate Porter was not on the list. We debated this point for a minute or so, but he was quite right – it’s not. The Meantime London Porter is on the list, and I think that’s where I was getting confused.

So was I disappointed to have bought the Chocolate Porter in error? Not at all!

About the beer

Meantime Chocolate Porter – not, in fact, on the 300 list but great all the same!

This beer is dark and delicious. It starts in the mouth with a hit of bitterness, and then you taste the chocolate. We debated, my friends and I, what it reminded us of – one thought of chocolate ice cream, and another cream soda. Either way, it’s a really wonderful flavour and a full bodied beer. Because of the chocolate, it won’t fit all situations I guess, and likely won’t be a good match for a fish dinner! As a dessert beer, it’s bang on.

Alcohol: 6.5%

My rating: 8/10

I really struggled to rate this one, as it really is genuinely delicious. It’s not a session beer, at a hefty 6.5%, but also the flavour, as good as it is, is perhaps not what you always want in a “beer”. I can’t emphasise enough how good it is though, just specialised perhaps.

 

The Meantime Brewing Company is based in South-East London and offers a range of beers including a Lager, the two Porters mentioned above and a Stout. You can source their beers directly from them, but obviously can get them in and around London (and beyond). Like many breweries, you can visit them and take tour.

I’m a particular fan of the Meantime bottles, as seen in the attached picture. I’m not sure why, but it’s nice to see a more unusual shaped bottle! A friend commented that not only do you get a great beer, but you can keep the bottle and put a candle in it later… True, this may be, but I’m not sure Mrs Brown would be too keen on having naked flames and a set of empties dotted about the premises!

Having sampled this Meantime beer, I can’t wait to get on to the beers that actually on the list! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for a chance to get my hands on them.