Mississippi Mud 4Pk Cans

Mississippi Mud 4Pk Cans is a slow-brewed American Black & Tan beer blending English porter and Continental pilsner at 5% ABV. Scoring 88 points from Tastings.com, this hybrid brew from one of America's oldest family-owned breweries delivers a distinctive malt-forward profile that has earned a loyal following among dark beer drinkers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Utica, New York, USA  |  Style: Black & Tan  |  Brewery: F.X. Matt Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Mississippi Mud is brewed by the F.X. Matt Brewing Company, founded in 1888 in Utica, New York, making it one of the longest continuously operating breweries in the United States. The beer follows a slow-brewing process that combines a robust English-style porter with a fine Continental pilsner, preserving the distinct character of each style while merging them into a single, balanced Black & Tan. The result captures the layered experience of a pub-poured black and tan in a convenient, ready-to-drink format — no careful pour over a spoon required.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light roasted malt and caramel lead the nose, followed by subtle bready grain and a faint whiff of dark chocolate. The porter component dominates the aromatic profile without becoming heavy.

Taste: The entry is predominantly sweet with a chocolatey maltiness that coats the palate immediately. Mid-palate, roasted malt and coffee notes develop, becoming more prominent with each sip. Light noble-style hops provide gentle balance without any aggressive bitterness, while the pilsner backbone keeps the body from turning syrupy.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering vanilla and dark roast character. The sweetness recedes cleanly, leaving behind a pleasant bready dryness and a trace of roasted grain.

How to Drink Mississippi Mud

Mississippi Mud is best served chilled at around 45–50°F, allowing the roasted malt and chocolate notes to fully express without muting the pilsner crispness. Pour into a pint glass or nonic to open up the aroma. For cocktail-curious drinkers, try a Black Velvet by topping a half-pour with dry sparkling wine for a celebratory twist. A Snakebite variation — equal parts Mississippi Mud and dry cider — plays well off the malty sweetness. It also works in a Beer Flip, shaken with a whole egg and a touch of simple syrup, where the porter notes add depth and body.

Best For

• Dark beer drinkers exploring approachable, lower-intensity options
• Backyard grilling sessions where a malt-forward beer complements smoky food
• Introducing lighter-beer drinkers to porter-style flavors without overwhelming bitterness
• Game-day gatherings where a conversation-starting hybrid style stands out from standard lagers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mississippi Mud taste like? Mississippi Mud has a predominantly sweet, chocolatey malt flavor with roasted coffee undertones and light hop bitterness. The pilsner component adds a clean, bready finish that prevents the porter side from becoming too heavy.

How does Mississippi Mud compare to Yuengling Black & Tan? Both are widely available American Black & Tan blends at similar ABVs, but Mississippi Mud leans sweeter and more chocolate-forward, while Yuengling Black & Tan tends to emphasize a drier, more caramel-driven porter character. Mississippi Mud's pilsner component also contributes a slightly crisper finish.

Is Mississippi Mud good for beginners? Yes — at 5% ABV with a sweet, malty profile and very low hop bitterness, Mississippi Mud serves as an accessible entry point for anyone curious about darker beer styles without committing to a full-bodied stout or imperial porter.

Where is Mississippi Mud made? Mississippi Mud is brewed at the F.X. Matt Brewing Company in Utica, New York. Founded in 1888, the brewery — also known as Matt Brewing Company — is one of the oldest family-owned breweries in the United States.

What foods pair well with Mississippi Mud? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the chocolatey malt mirrors the caramelized bark; sharp cheddar cheese, which contrasts the beer's sweetness; grilled burgers with caramelized onions for a savory-sweet match; chocolate brownies or dark chocolate desserts that echo the roasted malt profile; and hearty beef chili, where the porter backbone stands up to bold spice.

What sizes does Mississippi Mud come in? This listing is a 4-pack of cans; Mississippi Mud has historically also been available in its iconic 1-quart ceramic-style jug bottle.

Is Mississippi Mud worth the price? Mississippi Mud positions as an everyday, value-tier craft beer that delivers more complexity than a standard domestic lager. Its unique Black & Tan blend and the heritage of the F.X. Matt brewery give it strong value for drinkers seeking flavor without a premium price tag.

Why Mississippi Mud?

What makes Mississippi Mud genuinely unusual is its brewing approach — rather than layering two beers at the tap, the porter and pilsner elements are integrated during brewing, creating a seamless hybrid that most Black & Tan pours cannot achieve. Backed by the 135-plus-year brewing legacy of F.X. Matt, this is not a novelty beer but a thoughtfully constructed recipe that has maintained a consistent following, reflected in over 40,000 ratings on Untappd. The 5% ABV keeps it sessionable, while the roasted malt depth gives it enough substance to hold interest beyond the first sip. For anyone who finds porters too heavy and pilsners too light, Mississippi Mud occupies a rare middle ground with real character.