Palmetto Espresso Porter Beer Review

Palmetto Espresso Porter

Review Date 7/29/2018 Last Updated 2/20/2020 By John Staradumsky

Vacation! That’s always fun. We had been on vacation since Sunday when we rolled into Charleston, South Carolina around 5PM on a Wednesday night. I had already been to one brewery and enjoyed craft beers from several more along the way, but tonight, it being too late to hit the beach or do much else, we decided on a brewery crawl. These are best on a full stomach in my experience, so we enjoyed some delightful seafood at Hyman’s next door to our hotel, the Meeting Street Inn.

After eating, there was no question which brewery I wanted to visit first: Palmetto Brewing Company. Palmetto is South Carolina’s oldest craft brewery, opening their doors in 1993, and I’ve been enjoying their beers here in Georgia almost since I arrived in 2001. The gal at the bar was asking me about my craft beer experience, and when I told her what I just told you, she said it’s always so much fun to see where the beers you have been drinking are made. Could not have said it better myself.

We had a great time here, enjoying our beers and chatting with the locals. One patron had his dog with him, and we as dog lovers ourselves struck up a conversation. I noticed Catawba brewing signs abounding, and a number of their beers available here in cans. When I inquired about this, I was informed that Catawba had purchased Palmetto in November of 2017.

The last beer I enjoyed at Palmetto (and one of my favorites) was their Espresso Porter. This is a coffee variant of my beloved Palmetto Porter, and a tasty one at that. Palmetto says:

Our medium body porter is influenced by our southern style, making this dark beer very easy to drink. Robust flavors delivered by a combination of dark and chocolate malts are accentuated with a special espresso coffee blend from our neighbors, Charleston Coffee Roasters. Pair this beer with any chocolate inspired dessert, smoky meats or cheeses.

Palmetto Espresso Porter has an alcohol content of 6% by volume with 25 IBUs. I paid $8 for my 4-beer sampler at the brewery. This beer runs $9.99 a six-pack in cans.

My glass of Palmetto Espresso Porter arrived jet-black in color with a fluffy white head and coffee grinds and chicory in the nose. Taking a sip, the coffee grinds and chicory are present in the palate as well, eith more roasted malt and a grassy herbal bitter finish. Excellent beer indeed, I very much enjoyed this one, perhaps most of all.

Update 2/20/2020: Palmetto Espresso Porter at Taco Mac! Catawba beers are featured as beers of the month, and since Catawba and Palmetto are one company, we get a bonus! Dark roast coffee in the nose, smooth medium body, chicory, roasted barley, dark bitter chocolate, more dark roasted coffee , dry roasty finish. Outstanding, and just $6.44 got me a 23-ounce pour.