St Andrews Brewing Co are based in the home of golf in Fife, and they’ve built a solid reputation for well-crafted Scottish ales that sit firmly in the quality craft tier without being pretentious about it. The Mocha Porter is one of their most celebrated beers — a dark ale that takes the classic porter style and adds a coffee-chocolate dimension that earns the mocha name rather than just borrowing it. At 6% ABV, it has weight and warmth to match its flavour.
Tasting Notes
It pours a deep, near-black colour with a tan head and a nose that immediately signals something rich and rewarding — espresso, dark chocolate, a hint of vanilla, and the roasted malt base underneath. On the palate the coffee is the lead note, bold and well-integrated, with dark chocolate in support and a smooth, warming quality from the 6% ABV that makes itself known in the finish. The balance between sweet and bitter is well-judged — this isn’t cloying, it’s complex.
Verdict
Serve at cellar temperature or slightly warmer in a snifter or tulip glass — this is a beer worth savouring. The Mocha Porter is an excellent example of what Scottish craft brewing can produce when it’s working at its best: flavoursome, well-made, and genuinely satisfying. Pair it with chocolate desserts or drink it as an after-dinner beer. Very nice indeed — the 6% just adds to the occasion.
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