Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter - Otter Creek Brewing / Wolaver's

themind

New Jersey

3.31/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5

Vermont breweries can brew some quality beer! Inexpensive porter that has a rich taste and is worth drinking. The mouthfeel could be heavier but its tasty for a shelf beer non the less. If you like porters this is a good beer to stock the fridge with as its highly drinkable and a bargain.

Bottom Line: Decent shelf brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 00:17:30 | More by themind

Utica_Brew_Review

New York

2.91/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Black opaque beer. Period. Dry hoppy milky aroma. This is a porter?! Taste is like a porter meets a beer. Milky, chocolatey flavor that stays true to its aroma. Complex mouthfeel. Complex but much more bitter than we think it should be. Has the basic favors but doesn't take it to the next level.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 06:44:30 | More by Utica_Brew_Review

oldirtycaffrey

Virginia

3.89/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Inexpensive, high quality porter -- picked up a 6 pack for just $7.99 here in VA. Pours a pitch black with a mocha 1/2 inch head. Head dissipates quickly and leaves a slight amount of lacing on the glass. Taste is heavy on roasted barley, chocolate, and caramel. Slightly sweet, slightly bitter. Very easy to drink. Great session porter. Glad I picked this up.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 22:57:13 | More by oldirtycaffrey

Antikythera

New York

4.23/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

a: I can't remember the last time a beer made me say 'wow' just from looking at it. It looks like black coffee but smoother and probably more viscous. Beautiful. The head is a creamy tan and sits solidly until you drink from it.

s: metallic. Nothing terribly special, but pleasant -- I like my porters to smell like cast-iron.

t: warm, toasty, coffeeish.

m: slippery and chewable, with just enough fizz to make it interesting.

o: I didn't expect to find something this nice in a grocery store twelve-pack. Who knew.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 22:39:28 | More by Antikythera

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.85/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a tumbler pint, the beer is a very dark, ruby highlighted brown coloring with a ring of light tan film around the surface. Aromas of roast coffee, sweet hazelnut, and dark, bittersweet chocolate. Flavors of bitter coffee, darkly roasted and aromatic, with some charcoal characteristics blended in there as well. Dark, bitter chocolate highlights blend with oaky highlights to bring this brew an earthy, warm feel. The beer is light and crisp in mouth, leading to a clean, smooth finish. Aftertaste of roast coffee lingers for a while after each sip. At the low ABV, this beer is very drinkable, and the flavors make it something a person would actually want to drink. Tasty brew!

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 00:13:31 | More by GarthDanielson

CooperEllis

New York

3.3/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz "pint" pour into a "pint" glass.

This is one of my go-to beers when supermarket shopping for beer in New England. Easy drinking out of the bottle that left me a bit disappointed from the keg.

The flavor was bland, malt with no depth that perfectly mirrored the aroma. A little coffee note but more to the acrid side.

The mouthfeel was still better than average with good carbonation but lacking the creaminess or full-on malt presence that would make it noteworthy. Certainly a palatable porter but no an exceptional one.

(190th)

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 19:30:46 | More by CooperEllis

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Strange brew, comes to the table a solid dark brown/black color with a smallish creamy off white head that doesn't last very long. Smells of chocolate and caramel with hints of roast and earthy hop. The flavor is toffee caramel, brown sugar, and chocolate, with hints of roast and earthy pungent hops. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet slick mouthfeel. Nice simple porter, certainly nothing that's going to rock your world, but a nice drinker just the same.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2012 02:37:40 | More by johnnnniee

Bowersm

Connecticut

4.98/5  rDev +30.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Used to drink this beer over lunch in the winter while working downtown in Rochester, NY as a respite from the daily monotony of my editorial job. I didn't have it for many a moon until two nights ago and found it to be even better than I remember it. The taste is not overly complex, but strong and flavorful with a nice roasted aftertaste. It goes down really easy and despite being a dark porter is the sort of beer that I could drink many of without getting too filled up. I rate this beer as one of the highest quality that I have had in a long time and look forward to having many more! Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 22:26:47 | More by Bowersm

PatriotsRule

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +25.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is an excellently crafted brew.
A: Deep mocha with a quarter inch off white head and light beautiful lacing
S: Hints of caramel and chocolate, smoke
T: This is truly elite in its balance. An aptly named porter.
M: Crisp and smooth.
O: One of my favorite Otter Creek beers and beers from anywhere ever!

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 23:10:23 | More by PatriotsRule

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear very dark amber to very dark brown in color (almost black) with some reddish brown notes when held up to the light and light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a quarter finger tall light beige head that reduces to a medium sized patch of very thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of freshly roasted coffee, bittersweet chocolate, and dark roasted (almost burnt) malts.

T: Moderate flavors of dark roasted malts with lighter notes of bittersweet chocolate and fresh roasted coffee. Light amounts of bitterness in the finish.

M: Just heavier than light bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly thin/watery.

O: Easy to drink and quite sessionable with the low ABV and lighter flavors/body. Enjoyable and definitely a decent brew for a Friday afternoon in the autumn. Decent amounts of complexity to the flavors and smell.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 20:57:07 | More by dbrauneis

gcamparone

Rhode Island

3.73/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a Samuel Adams pint glass. Purchased at Wakefield Liquors in Wakefield, RI.

A- Pours a nearly opaque black body with a light mocha head with nice lacing and medium retention.

S- Super inviting. Heavy coffee bean, cappuccino with some deep roasted malt characteristics.

T- Roasted coffee, deep roasted malt. The flavors in here are subtle though, not bold by any means. I expect a little more flavor from a porter.

M- Low carbonation, slightly watery and thin.

Overall, a decent porter at most. Nice flavors, I just wish they could have come through a little stronger. If you want a not so in-your-face porter, this is the one for you.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 21:40:44 | More by gcamparone

jellis00

Virginia

4.6/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Quite dark. Almost in penetrable.

S: Coffee ish. Some burnt hints. You can smell the malt.

T: Very tasty. Intense. Bitter and smoky. Lots of burnt flavors.

M: Pleasant with an acidic punch. Not overpowering. Medium carbonation.

O: One of my new favorite porters. Very surprised by this beer and I recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 02:08:28 | More by jellis00

claspada

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, dark brown body with a thin, fizzy, off-white head.

Aromas begin with generic roasted maltiness including chocolate, coffee and scorched grains. Not much else to be honest.

The tastes follow the nose with roasty coffee maltiness coupled with a mild caramel sweetness and some lighter baker's chocolate. As it warms the burnt grain taste quietly becomes more and more forward. More of a roasty, medium bitterness than anything else.

The mouthfeel is medium-thin bodied with medium carbonation. Finish is quite dry and roasty overall.

Overall this is just a tad too roasted and burnt grain forward with not enough toasted bready or caramel maltiness to back up the flavors. There is not enough body for a traditional porter even for such a low ABV.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 15:30:05 | More by claspada

kangarooAdam59

Connecticut

3.23/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Into a pint glass:

A: dark brown colored body leaving a one finger off white head that lasts for about thirty seconds. Some nice standard light foamy lacing appears around the sides of the glass. No carbonation is seen rising.

S: centers around the coffee with some chocolate in the background, some light honey appears.

T: pretty much the same, but in a good way.

M: medium with nothing harsh on the tongue, just an overall standard feel. With the ABV where it is, this is still a very drinkable beer.

O: this is your typical American Porter, nothing special, but nothing bad. I probably won't seek it out again, but would be okay if that was all that was served.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 11:16:25 | More by kangarooAdam59

fountainofyouth

District of Columbia

3.53/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Biiig head, not the mocha brown it advertises, more of a tan. Body is dark brown with rich red flare when held directly up to light.

Smell: Nice, sweet malty smell. Caramel and brown sugary malt, with obvious cocoa as well. Maybe a teensie bit of honey, too? No real hops.

Taste: A little odd, not quite what I was expecting. It feels like a piece of the spectrum is missing -- it's got some hops, lighter caramel flavors, some roastiness, but that rich brown cocoa isn't there. It's alright, but it feels kinda incomplete. Maybe a little too watery.

Mouthfeel: Carb is a little invasive -- prickly. Body is thick and sugary.

Overall: Good, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 23:08:51 | More by fountainofyouth

MadScientist

New York

3.38/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: A very dark brown with ruby highlights and good clarity from what light does make it though. The rocky medium tan head lasts a long time.

S: More chocolate malt than roasted with notes of prunes and raisins. There is a bit coffee in there as well. No hops nor alcohol noted. There is a slightly unpleasant dark malt aroma in the back that just wrecks the aroma for me.

T: The flavor is dominated by a moderate roast and a moderate hop bitterness. There are dark fruit flavors of prunes and figs with a light carmel note. No hops. The balance is roasted and bitter with no malt sweetness. The finish is dry and roasty with touch of alcohol. This one might be a little past it's prime with some low oxidized, sherry notes which could be from the low turn over at the store it was purchased from.

M: Medium bodied and moderately carbonated with a light dryness on the palate.

O: Not bad, I'd expect it to show better if I get a better handled bottle but I'm going to be buy another any time soon.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 01:49:08 | More by MadScientist

57md

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is a deep, dark brown with a ruby hue. The half finger of head dissipates quickly. There is certainly a presence of roasted malt in the nose. The upfront flavor is a combination of rye bread and roasted malt. The finish is mildly dry with a touch of bitterness for good measure.

Nothing off the hook here, but if you are looking for a good, honest, straight-forward porter, this is the one.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2012 21:40:47 | More by 57md

tdm168

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - dark brown with a ruby glow; soft, brownish head that is short-lived

S - big roasty aromas with a slight coffee note

T - roasted malts, coffee, light bitterness, faint creaminess

M - medium bodied, well carbonated, a bit crisp at times

This is a decent, easy to drink beer with a great flavor. The roasted malts and coffee notes are forward and delicious. It's really a solid porter.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 15:49:24 | More by tdm168

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: This beer pours dark like a stout, has a 2 inch caramel colored head that actually stays put in a wide glass.

S: Smell is pretty complex, first I get some dark roasted malts. Has a coal type of smell, cannot distinguish a strong coffee or chocolate aroma, maybe a mix between the two.

T: The flavor consists a lot more of a black coffee, only I am very inexperienced in such. Slight hint of dark chocolate and roasted malts on the after taste.

M: Very creamy and thick for a porter, has a very stout-like texture which is nice for this beer.

O: Was always cautious of otter creek just because of the classic "judging a label by its cover", but after having a few of their beers, this is a solid one and this brewer is very credible to me now. One of the best porters around, if you reside in the New England area!

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 03:03:46 | More by SouljaSaia17

paulytasker

New York

3.9/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Very close to being black. This is a deep, rich, dark brown. A tan head is short lived and dispersses quickly.

S: Nice blend of roasted dark malts with a hint of coffee.

T: Coffee and Malts at the forefront gives way to an ever so slight hoppy finish.

M: Wished and hoped for more... not too weak although more body would have been a welcome addition.

D: The low ABV here coupled with the average body make for quite an enjoyable Porter. Will purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 23:11:38 | More by paulytasker

LeoPanna

New York

4.45/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Picked up at New Beer Distributors in Lower Manhattan. This place is an oasis...

Pours pitch black and creamy into my tulip, tan head rises and sizzles away quickly, leaving minimalist strokes behind

you expect roasted malts in the nose and get malts, coffee beans and raisins

perfectly balanced mouthfeel, creamy... perfect distribution of malt, espresso and woody flavors. Leaves a spicy, raw chocolate aftertaste. It tastes more than 4.4%ABV but I can believe it, Otter Creek has great resources and quality ingredients.

it's true to the style, and for the price, drinkability, flavor I have to put this on list of regular session porters.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 00:54:15 | More by LeoPanna

Homebrew35

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours one fingers worth of a foamy tan/mocha head. Black somewhat translucent body.

Chocolate, roast and sweet English yeast.

Big dry roast and coffee at first, some chocolate. Touch of bready malts and some earthy hops.

Medium thin body. Medium carbing. Fairly dry and a bit acrid with the roast flavor lingering.

An ok porter, a bit too roasty and a bit lacking in body. Not bad in any respect.
1.89 a single

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 18:13:16 | More by Homebrew35

thegodfather2701

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours very dark with a tan head. Not much lacing, if any.

S-Coffee and chocolate

T-Much like the nose; coffee and some chocolate with a nice bitterness and a hint of smokiness.

M-Somewhat thin, I would prefer a little more body.

D-Very drinkable as its easy drinking and not complex.

Overall, its a run of the mill American Porter that just doesn't stand out in my opinion. I would rather drink other versions of the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 05:37:19 | More by thegodfather2701

Ruds

United Kingdom (England)

3.93/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle at room temperature into a snifter to an off black, dark chestnut brown colour with a thin tan head which soon reduced and dispersed to little more than a puddle atop the glass.

Lacing present above the beer line throughout drinking.

The aroma was non too powerful. A little roasted malt with a modicum of coffee and biscuit in the background.

A solid tasting porter dominated by roast malts and chocolate, the latter which I didn't really pick up on the nose! A little tobacco and wood in the background and a sweetish malty finish.

The mouthfeel was just right for me, medium in body with a smooth finish and minimal carbonation. This beer invites you back for more with every sip and I only wished I had another bottle to crack open!

Overall a decent porter and certainly one I'd go for again. At room temperature from the off, this beer got better on each reviewing field, the appearance and smell were ok, but the all important (to me) taste and mouthfeel were excellent!

Definately one to visit again!

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2012 14:54:34 | More by Ruds

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint tumbler- pours pretty black- a TINY but of ruby around the edges. Two finger head after a vigorous pour- decent retention, some nice lacing.

Smells of roasted dark malt- straight and simple and pretty nice.

Taste is consistent with the smell- dark roasted malt, a little coffee-like bitterness, maybe a tint of hops towards the end but by no means easily recognizable.

Mouthfeel is a little thin- medium light body with light carbonation. I prefer porters with a little more hop kick and aroma to them and a little more robust. This one is fine for being very low ABV (good if that's what you want).

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 01:09:50 | More by Hopdaemon39