Brewery: Horny Goat Brewing Company (formerly Milwaukee, WI)
Style: Porter – Other
ABV: 6.5%
Horny Goat’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter sets expectations high with its bold name and even bolder flavor promise. On paper, it’s a dessert in a glass style brew. It’s a rich, dark porter infused with chocolate and peanut butter. This combination is a delicious when done right, but it’s also easy to overdo. So, does this beer strike a balance, or is it more gimmick than craft? Here’s my opinion on it.
Appearance
The beer pours a deep, opaque brown with a tan head that fizzles out a bit quicker than expected. Minimal lacing. Visually, it looks the part of a traditional porter (dark and inviting) but lacks the creamy, lasting head that often rounds out the presentation.
Aroma
The nose delivers exactly what the label promises…rich cocoa and creamy peanut butter dominate, with a subtle roasted malt backbone. The peanut butter note leans more toward sweet, dessert-like peanut butter cups rather than earthy or nutty, which may appeal to those with a sweet tooth.
Taste
Flavor-wise, this porter walks a fine line. The initial sip is all peanut butter cup. It’s chocolatey, nutty, and slightly sweet. But after a few sips, the novelty starts to wear off. The base porter gets a bit lost in the mix. While the adjuncts are the stars, the body feels thin for the style, and there’s not enough bitterness or roast to cut through the sweetness. That said, fans of sweet stouts or novelty beers may find it enjoyable throughout.
Mouthfeel
Surprisingly light bodied for a porter. It leans closer to a flavored brown ale in terms of feel. Slight carbonation helps keep it drinkable, but it lacks the richness and weight you’d expect from a dessert style beer. It has a thin finish that could benefit from more heft to match the bold flavors. At 6.5% ABV, it’s balanced with no noticeable alcohol warmth.
Final Thoughts
This is a fun, indulgent beer that nails its core flavors but lacks some depth in the malt and bitterness department. It’s a great choice for those craving a liquid Reese’s Cup experience, though hopheads or fans of drier porters might find it cloying. Pair it with vanilla ice cream or enjoy it as a stand alone treat.
Ratings
- Appearance – 3.1/5
- Aroma – 3.8/5
- Taste – 3/5
- Mouthfeel – 2.9/5
- Overall – 3.2/5
Horny Goat Brewing had a reputation for playful, flavorful beers, and this one was no exception. While the brewery itself has closed, the Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter lives on in limited releases and has developed something of a cult following. It’s a nostalgic beer for some, and a novelty for others.
I think it’s worth trying once…especially if you like your beers with a side of dessert, but it’s not a top tier porter. Think of it as craft beer’s version of candy…fun, sweet, but not something you reach for every day.
If you’ve tried Horny Goat’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter, please share your thoughts about it in the comments section below.
Leave a Reply