Wolaver's Alta Gracia Coffee Porter - Otter Creek Brewing / Wolaver's

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.6/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

dark brown almost black in color, 1/2" tan head. smells of dark roasted coffee, dark chocolate. surprisingly sweet smells for such dark roasts. the taste is a coffee and beer lover's wet dream come to life. this absolutely fantastic coffee flavor with almost a hazelnut tone, mild chocolate.. dark roasted grains. wonderful. it is medium body leaning towards light.. slightly watery, nicely carbonated.

this is probably a better review than when i had it on tap. the beer is still SOLID and even though i haven't enjoyed most of this brewery's releases, this is one of my favorite beers to have during winter months.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 23:19:10 | More by facundoCNB

RWLawman

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A - Jet black with some consistent but thin off-white head, and scattered lacing.

S - Coffee grounds dominate the smell, followed by some dark chocolate and roasted malts, finished by some alcohol.

T - Big time black coffee up front, followed by roasted malts and a touch of semi-sweet chocolate on the back. The flavors are balanced out very well, which makes this a sessionable porter.

M - Medium bodied, moderate-to light carbonation. Definitely not watery, but not thick either.

O - Pretty impressed by the flavor and smell of this beer. Also love the fact that it's USDA Organic. Awesome!

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 01:58:44 | More by RWLawman

ncstateplaya

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%

05-10-2013 14:05:50 | More by ncstateplaya

JakerLou

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-10-2013 13:43:33 | More by JakerLou

ZEB89

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-06-2013 18:11:55 | More by ZEB89

Chris_Mac

New Hampshire

3.68/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: Very nearly black, minimal head

S: Strong Coffee

T: Surprised by the carbonation, malts mix and balance nicely

M: Bitterness comes in late, but doesn't stay. Light and easy to drink.

O: Unique, multi-faceted beer with beautiful smell and appearance.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 22:18:42 | More by Chris_Mac

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%

04-29-2013 05:55:55 | More by Kelp

MEW

New York

4.75/5  rDev +20.3%

04-21-2013 02:34:36 | More by MEW

DasPuma

Virginia

4/5  rDev +1.3%

04-17-2013 23:12:27 | More by DasPuma

Omnium

Pennsylvania

3.89/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Bottle > Pint Glass

A - Pours totally black, thick 2 finger caramel head, and decent lacing going on too.
S - Toasted grains, roasted coffee beans, caramel and fresh bread malt, a tinge of chocolate and vanilla.
T - Very balanced and smooth coffee flavor, you get a mild bitterness that sets well in the mix amidst the nice roasty malts and beans, a hint of vanilla in the finish, but it could be a little more bold overall.
M - Creamy texture and well carbonated, lingers on your palate just right.
O - While not the best coffee porter out there, this is very balanced and smooth, It does have one of the best mouthfeels Ive ever noticed in a beer, but it needs to boast those coffee flavors just a little more.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 01:42:55 | More by Omnium

elizard

North Carolina

2.75/5  rDev -30.4%

04-14-2013 01:36:47 | More by elizard

Dave_Treat

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%

04-12-2013 02:53:06 | More by Dave_Treat

Stranger5582

New York

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I usually don't expect much from bottled beers, but this one was excellent. On its label it stated that it was made using Vermont Coffee Company coffee and it doesn't disappoint. I stopped drinking coffee many years ago, but this beer is how I've always felt that coffee should taste.

Instead of having a miraculous nose, it was more subdued; average. The aftertaste is just as good as taking a swig from the bottle. It has a deep burned taste, but almost none of the sour taste of improperly brewed coffee. In fact, I find its finish sweet without being overly sweet. (Rohrbach's Vanilla Porter is overly sweet on it's finsh, comparatively).

This may well become the benchmark through which I measure other coffee porters. I just wish its nose belied the taste for which the drinker is in store.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 19:46:54 | More by Stranger5582

AL89BR

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

04-07-2013 03:47:53 | More by AL89BR

acurtis

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

03-25-2013 23:27:00 | More by acurtis

Marty91

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

03-24-2013 23:08:42 | More by Marty91

jefftuck47

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

03-24-2013 00:03:53 | More by jefftuck47

Beergelden

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Wolaver’s is a Vermont based company, that produces USDA Organic beers in different styles, all of them true, classic examples. This one is an American Porter style ale, with a local Alta Gracia Coffee added. Wolaver’s is also part of Otter Creek Brewing and you usually see their beers next to each other in your favorite beer store.



Appearance: In the glass, it’s a dark brown, almost black color, with a light brown head about 1/2″ tall. The head hangs on to the edge of the glass after it dissolves and leaves an awesome lace around the glass as its swirled and drank.

Appearance Rating: 3 out of 3

Aroma: Right off the bat, the coffee hits you leaving no doubt of what this beer is all about. You get very nice dark chocolate, caramel and vanilla aromas along with the a slight fruity, estery quality that hangs around. Little to no hop presence to compete with the roasted and coffee.

Aroma Rating: 9 out of 12

Flavor: As you would expect, the coffee dominates the first sip, in the best way possible. It gives you a nice, smooth coffee flavor, not the dark, bitter espresso so many other coffee beers bring to the table. Some of the dark chocolate, roasted malt flavors in the middle and a good nuttiness that rounds it out. There is a slight estery, yeast character that holds on the back-end, and it finishes with a little roasted dryness overall.

Flavor Rating: 15 out of 20

Mouthfeel: A silky medium body with some minor astringency coming from the coffee and roasted malts. Medium to low carbonation and coats the mouth slightly as you drink.

Mouthfeel Rating: 3 out of 5

Overall: Overall this beer is all about the coffee! It has a solid Porter backbone with the roasted grains supporting and enhancing the coffee, in the aromas and flavors, as it should to make it successful.

This is one of my favorite coffee brews out there and it goes REALLY well with any dark chocolate for dessert or a nice seared steak. The coffee seriously brings out the best qualities of each.

Overall Rating: 8 out of 10

Total Rating: 38 out of 50

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 15:26:14 | More by Beergelden

IronLover

Pennsylvania

4.26/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Dark brown to black in color. Poured with a short beige foam that quickly reduced to a wispy cap. Light roasted malt, chocolate and intense roasted coffee aromas. Smooth, light creamy, incredibly delicate feel. Sweet dark chocolate and bitter malt flavors up front. Flavors transition to dark coffee and bitter hop bitterness toward the finish. Finishes smooth and clean with a dark chocolate and light coffee aftertaste.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2013 04:27:25 | More by IronLover

idResponse

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A nice dessert beer. Very much a porter but has the bitttersweet bite of coffee in it. Smells of malted coffee and has a slightly sticky sweet tasting feel to the mouth. Would be great with some rich desserts. I'm drinking this beer straight from the bottle and you can't see through the liquid at all. Worth a shot if you want a sweet porter.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 02:57:46 | More by idResponse

chippo33

Vermont

2.75/5  rDev -30.4%

03-13-2013 23:05:48 | More by chippo33

Manannan

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%

03-08-2013 03:41:56 | More by Manannan

emceecue

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +1.3%

03-07-2013 05:13:28 | More by emceecue

quakeroatmealstout

New York

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

03-05-2013 17:50:22 | More by quakeroatmealstout

ktblue22

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Beer poured black with a small foamy head, not even a quarter inch thick. Very opaque though, which I love for my coffee porters. Smells of strong, almost burnt coffee, very dense and slightly acidic. Coffee is definitely the dominant aroma for this beer. Taste - like that of a very strong coffee, almost repelling except that the dark earthiness and slight dark cherry is enticing.

I paired this coffee with a homemade flourless torte and a side of Vanilla ice cream - the experience was amazing. I highly recommend having this beer with a light, sweet and creamy dessert. It brought out more of the rich and creamy coffee flavor of the beer and hid the acid burnt coffee flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2013 15:19:38 | More by ktblue22