Sea Dog Riverdriver Hazelnut Porter - Sea Dog Brewing Company

rundocrun

Iowa

3/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12-oz bottle into a pint glass.

A - Pours a dark brown with deep crystal-clear amber highlights when held to the light. Has a finger of khaki colored head that fades moderately fast. Decent lacing down the side of the glass.

S - Smells of a slightly sour, medicinal and nutty take on a doppelbock. I'm assuming it's the hazelnut flavoring that's contributing to the "off" smell I'm getting from this beer. Really quite unfortunate because I've enjoyed other hazelnut ales (Rogue). Very mild hints of alcohol and fruity red wine mixed with milk chocolate.

T - Sweet and nutty up front. Quickly followed by a surprisingly bitter burnt grain flavor. Has a definite diacetyl (buttery) presence that's a little off-putting--almost like drinking liquid chocolate buttercream frosting. Bitterness rides through the finish with some mild acidic coffee notes and chalky dark cocoa. I'm a little disappointed in the hazelnut character here. 1. Artificial-tasting. 2. Not enough of it.

M - Thin body. Prominent carbonation. Has quite a dry, but clean finish.

Overall - There are just a few too many things that are "off" with this beer for me to give it my full blessing. The aroma is not quite what I'd want for a hazelnut anything (let alone a porter). Taste is also all over the place.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 03:19:51 | More by rundocrun

Rdc67

Kentucky

3/5  rDev -13.3%

05-22-2013 19:32:08 | More by Rdc67

bcuz7

Florida

4/5  rDev +15.6%

05-19-2013 21:56:40 | More by bcuz7

DuffDaddy

Florida

4/5  rDev +15.6%

05-13-2013 20:09:38 | More by DuffDaddy

Artjsantos

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%

05-10-2013 16:22:16 | More by Artjsantos

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%

04-29-2013 00:19:41 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev +8.4%

04-27-2013 20:15:45 | More by Kelp

cnwillis31

Maine

3.75/5  rDev +8.4%

04-23-2013 21:53:57 | More by cnwillis31

olbubba

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -6.1%

04-06-2013 01:44:13 | More by olbubba

jheezee

Texas

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%

03-30-2013 18:18:22 | More by jheezee

mcaulifww

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%

03-25-2013 14:12:31 | More by mcaulifww

Jsterl

New Hampshire

2.75/5  rDev -20.5%

03-23-2013 02:58:18 | More by Jsterl

GFish

Virginia

3/5  rDev -13.3%

03-08-2013 00:13:05 | More by GFish

TwoForty

Florida

5/5  rDev +44.5%

03-04-2013 22:19:39 | More by TwoForty

kjkinsey

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +8.4%

03-02-2013 23:56:43 | More by kjkinsey

CMOrak

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -6.1%

02-22-2013 00:54:17 | More by CMOrak

rapayn01

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +22.8%

02-21-2013 05:07:24 | More by rapayn01

woodchipper

Connecticut

3/5  rDev -13.3%

02-17-2013 20:41:41 | More by woodchipper

dtivp

West Virginia

3.14/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Pours a clear amber brown with a a thin mocha colored head that fades quickly, light lacing.

Aroma of roasted malt and nuts, light coffee and chocolate.

Taste starts slightly sweet with hazelnut flavored coffee, chocolate with a slight mild hop bitterness.

Mouth Feel is medium leaning light body, moderate carbonation, crisp, smooth and nutty.

Overall an average porter.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 20:07:48 | More by dtivp

Gavage

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: pours a dark brown color with a 1/2" head that slowly falls. Some lace develops during the session.

Smell: a nutty aroma is mild but pleasant overall.

Taste: mild grainy malt profile with some caramel, toasted hazelnut, and a mild bitterness. There is some earthy and buttery qualities about the beer too, but it is focused on the nuttiness.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Lightly crisp throughout with a long toasted nut aftertaste.

Overall: an easy to consume porter that would go well with some nut-heavy desserts.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 17:48:41 | More by Gavage

mobrockman

Florida

3/5  rDev -13.3%

02-14-2013 01:56:53 | More by mobrockman

matjack85

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%

02-06-2013 23:27:24 | More by matjack85

wilfonzo

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +8.4%

01-25-2013 22:14:36 | More by wilfonzo

TimeLincoln

New Brunswick (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +22.8%

01-19-2013 18:57:18 | More by TimeLincoln

MikeHRayn

Maine

3.75/5  rDev +8.4%

01-15-2013 01:23:37 | More by MikeHRayn