Boulder Shake Chocolate Porter
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with roasted malt and cocoa, with hints of dark chocolate and a mild coffee undercurrent. On the palate, it delivers a smooth, medium-bodied experience with bittersweet chocolate flavors layered over a base of roasted grain. The chocolate character here reads more like unsweetened baking cocoa than candy sweetness, keeping things grounded rather than dessert-like. The finish is moderately dry with a gentle roast bitterness that lingers without becoming harsh.
About the Brewery
Boulder Beer Company was founded in 1979 in Boulder, Colorado, making it one of the earliest craft breweries in the United States. The brewery built its reputation on approachable, well-crafted ales and lagers that appealed to the growing craft beer scene in Colorado. They have historically leaned toward sessionable, accessible beers rather than extreme or experimental styles, and have been a steady regional presence for decades, though the broader craft market has grown considerably more competitive around them.
Food Pairings
A burger with sharp cheddar works well here because the roasted malt mirrors the char on the beef and the cheese cuts through the cocoa bitterness. Barbecued pulled pork pairs naturally since smoky sweetness and dark malt have a long-standing affinity. A slice of flourless chocolate cake plays off the beer's bittersweet cocoa notes without tipping into sugar overload. Sharp blue cheese offers a strong contrast that actually highlights the chocolate character rather than competing with it. Roasted nuts, particularly almonds or pecans, echo the malt roast and make for an unfussy, low-effort match.
Style Guide
American Porter is a dark ale built around roasted malts that deliver flavors of chocolate, coffee, and toasted grain, typically with moderate bitterness and a medium body. It traces its roots to 18th-century English porter but was reshaped by American craft brewers who often push the roast and hop character further than their British counterparts. Porters sit between a robust brown ale and a stout on the darkness spectrum — they share stout's roasted qualities but generally stop short of the heavier body and more intense roast bitterness associated with that style. The ABV range typically runs from around 4.5% to 6.5%, keeping the beer substantial without tipping into heavy territory.