Sea Dog Riverdriver Hazelnut Porter - Sea Dog Brewing Company

semihobo

Michigan

2.7/5  rDev -22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

12 oz best by Jan 07. Okay, "natural flavor" added, but I'm open to these sorts of things.

Okay tan head. Dark chocolate mahogany, adequate retention, looks a little thin and clear but otherwise solid.

Smell is mostly hazelnut, with some chocolate, and a touch of some sort of cigarette, I think a menthol (I swear it's the first description that came to mind and the most accurate), but in a pleasant way. Not too sweet, the nuttiness is true. Put my nose in the beer trying to get the subtleties and sniffled beer onto my new khakis. Damn. Oh sweet, they are the liquid resistant kind.... oh life is good.

Not as dominantly sweet or nutty as I expected. The roasted malts and respectable hop presence give it a little edge complicated by a slightly chemical twinge. Definitely tastes like hazelnuts, although they aren't really special; the flavor probably works better than brewing with real nuts. Very slightly sweet but avoided the sugarbomb trap to which many flavored beers fall prey, could maybe use a little more sweetness though. Watery. Really, a lot like black hazelnut coffee -- too bad for me I take my coffee with sugar and cream, but for the people out there who drink nutty coffee, you could drink this before work!

Thin, watery mouthfeel with some gas to it. Off-taste on the finish.

Eh I thought it was okay at first but it got old fast. I'm waiting for a beer with natural flavor added to really punch through, it's tricky but I think it can be done. This would make a go-to nutty porter ... if you're into that sort of niche. Worth trying though.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2006 06:56:15 | More by semihobo

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