Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter

Tasting Notes

The aroma leads with roasted malt, dark chocolate, and a faint earthiness, with subtle coffee notes underneath. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with flavors of bittersweet cocoa, toasted grain, and a mild nuttiness. The hop presence is restrained, providing balance rather than bitterness. The finish is clean and moderately dry, fading with lingering roast.

About the Brewery

Central Waters Brewing is based in Amherst, Wisconsin, and has been operating since 1998, making it one of the longer-standing craft breweries in the state. They're particularly well regarded for their barrel-aging program, which produces sought-after stouts and barleywines that have developed a regional following. Their core lineup balances approachable everyday beers like this porter alongside the more ambitious seasonal and cellar releases.

Food Pairings

This porter works well with a cheeseburger because the roasted malt mirrors the char on the patty. Braised short ribs pair naturally since the beer's dark malt character complements rich, slow-cooked beef. A slice of chocolate brownie or dark chocolate dessert reinforces the cocoa notes already present in the glass. Sharp cheddar offers a savory contrast that keeps the roast from feeling heavy.

Style Guide

American porter is a dark ale defined by roasted malt character — typically chocolate, coffee, and toasted grain — with moderate body and enough hop bitterness to keep things balanced. It traces its roots to English porter but American versions tend to be cleaner in fermentation character and slightly more hop-forward. ABV generally runs between 4.5% and 6.5%, putting it lighter than most stouts while sharing similar dark malt flavors. What separates porter from stout is largely a matter of roast intensity and body — stouts push harder on both.