Smuttynose Baltic Porter (Big Beer Series) - Smuttynose Brewing Company

smakawhat

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass. Bottled conditioned 2012. Much thanks to ToasterChef.

A real big gorgeous milk chocolate to coffee brown head, fistful deep, settling nicely with a creamy light tan cap. Body color is really dark walnut black. Head really manages to keep and stick around nicely, very impressive, but nothing outrageous, an aggressive but still in control looking beer here.

Nose is an interesting mix. Toasty malts like a brown ale, faint banana like yeast esters, lots of dry grain, and mostly dry bready sense. Like this. It's sort of a mix between a toasty brown ale and porter.

Real solid brew. Classic light bodied porter, with a great big lingering carbon aftertaste on the swallow. Body is filled with good simple rolling malts and toasted grains. Faint sweetness of banana comes out slightly, still can't get over this great charring finish. The charred grain really lingers on this. Extremely dry and nutty tannic finish as well.

Overall. What a great tasting brew. Maybe not the most mind blowing, but an excellent beer I would have again anytime over many others.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 03:40:08 | More by smakawhat

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.55/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Dino hooked this up in our trade, thanks man! Bottle notched 2012 poured to Duvel tulip. The beer pours a deep rich dark brownish black with a nice 2 finger mocha tan colored head with nice retention and lacing throughout. When held to the light the edges are a deep mahogany. The nose is a rich blend of roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, with hints of vanilla. No alcohol detected. Smells great. Similarly the taste is dominated by the roasted barley and coffee flavors immediately. The chocolate, vanilla, and malty sweetness soon follows are present a full bodied and enjoyable beer. Mouthfeel is supreme, excellent creaminess. Again, no hint of alcohol whatsoever. Finishes with a mildly sweet, though not overly so, flavor with a mild bitterness of the tongue. Overall, to say this was a treat is an understatement. Best Baltic I've ever had. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 12:23:53 | More by hopfacebrew

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed 3/4/12

Appearance: Dark brown, pours with a nice tan head, fades to a nice ring, some spotty lacing

Smell: Chocolate, coffee, roasted malts, burnt malts - not extreme, smells balanced - nice malt profile, with some graininess - vanilla, with some creaminess

Taste: Chocolate malts, baker's chocolate, semisweet chocolate, roasty malts, roasted coffee - slightly burnt, but not to the extent that this is in stout territory - nice range of malts, nicely dry, minimal sweetness - biscuity malts, too

Mouthfeel: Medium to heavy, nicely roasty and dry, nice carbonation

Overall: Smuttynose wins at porters

Smuttynose Robust Porter is one of the best American porters I've ever had. I guess it makes sense that Smuttynose Baltic Porter is similarly great. I should age one of these.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 22:35:41 | More by angrybabboon

barnzy78

Illinois

4.55/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle, 2012 release. Pours black with just a tinge of dark brown, but still opaque. A pillow of light brown, creamy head holds good retention and leaves some nice chunky lacing on the glass. Aromas are bold with dark chocolate and coffee filling the nose. Tastes are also bold with rich dark chocolate and coffee dominating the palate. Mouth-feel is thick, creamy, and smooth. Finishes slightly peppery. Alcohol is non-existent and this is incredibly easy to drink. One of the better beers I've had in awhile!

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 03:10:37 | More by barnzy78

GallowsThief

Florida

4.48/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured out of a bomber into my tulip.

A – Deep brown to black on the pour with two big fingers of light mocha head that left cascading lacing down the glass.

S – Coffee, roasted malt, chocolate and dark fruit smell.

T – Big coffee and roasted malts right out of the gate. Nice light and sweet vanilla and chocolate tastes. Almost a creamy chocolate milk taste. Not overly sweet, almost perfect. Light dark fruit flavor near the end with a raisin taste. Warming alcohol at the end as well but not overpowering. Touch of bitterness.

M – Nice thick, creamy mouthfeel. Coats the palate. Still manages a nice tingly feel.

O – Damn fine brew here with great taste and balance. Sweet but not cloying. My favorite baltic to date. Must get more. Go get em.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 00:09:37 | More by GallowsThief

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to angrybabboon for splitting the bottle.

Appearance: Dark brown. Nice carbonation. Head is dark tan and leaves a small cap that persists for the duration of the drinking process.

Smell: Cocoa and minerals. Nice notes of milk chocolate and roasted malts. Dark chocolate and malt sweetness in equal measure. Deft use of chocolate. Did I mention it smells like chocolate in all it's forms?

Taste: Baker's chocolate is up front. Nice bitterness mingles with a strong roasted malt profile. Sweeter chocolate notes with some deep seated minerality. Tiny hint of citrus. Malts are well-rounded and manage to carry a good level of sweetness. Dark cocoa.

Mouthfeel: Slightly dry with a good moderate carbonation. Body is medium leaning toward full at times. As it warms it thins a touch.

Overall: Solid all around. The water makes it unique. Big without being over the top in any way. Nicely balanced.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 05:41:29 | More by Goblinmunkey7

bamadog

Kentucky

4.7/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This one's been sitting in the closet since 12/2009, so I figured a couple of years and a reason a to crack it (job interview next week!) were worth considering... It's open. Review is from notes taken on 3/3/2012 and poured from the bottle to a snifter.

Appearance: Pour is rich, dark brown that comes out in gluts, so it seems to have a decent viscosity to it; body is dark, entirely opaque; it starts with a one full finger head of dark, chocolatey brown head that fades to a thick, foamy ring and cap that thins out towards the center; as the head dwindles, there is a thick layer of lacing that is full and complete.

Smell: Two years have been very good to this beer... Smell is amazingly strong and just pours out of the glass -- tons and tons of malts, mostly dark and roast, with a bittersweet chocolate/cocoa scent to it; there is a rich creaminess to it, and I'm reminded of a jamocha shake from Arby's... oh how I miss milkshakes.

Taste: Fantastic! Well worth the wait on this one. Tons of roast, burnt coffee malts with what seems to a full pound block of bittersweet baker's chocolate; a rich, lactose creaminess keeps it really lush in the mouth reminiscent of a milkshake (did I mention that I really miss milkshakes?); bit of an overripe, dark fruity characteristic lying in there as well; finish is heavy with a bit of a cola-like aspect, and for being 9%, the alcohol is entirely hidden.

Mouthfeel: I thought it looked a little thick on the pour, but it certainly comes through on the palate thicker than I expected -- very creamy and lush, and definitely on the heavy side (there are plenty of Russian Imperials out there that could take a lesson from this beer); a thick, and very sticky coating is left all over the palate; body still has some liveliness to it with moderately strong and prickly carbonation, which is a bit of a surprise.

Overall: I need to pick up some more of this beer on an annual basis for nights such as this. It's really an excellent beer and receives all of the accolades it has received on this site. Excellent all around, and the only thing that could foreseeably slow anyone down is the weight, but that's what I want in a beer that has a Father Time/Grim Reaper that looks like it's going to kidnap the child on the label.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 02:21:07 | More by bamadog

mpyle

Maryland

3.83/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bomber

App - opaque but hints that it is clear, pours a big tan colored head, tightly bubbled and long lasting.

Aroma - Slight smoky aroma, like a smokey dark fruit. Almost no alcohol in the aroma.

Taste - Rich malty flavor with smoke overtones, plum, malty but never sweet. Transition to finish is fairly smooth - no harsh bitterness. Alcohol flavor more evident in the finish.

MF - Medium to rich body, and moderately carbonated. Some definite alcohol warming, but smooth and in the style of the beer.

Overall - Definitely a big porter, but lacks some of the complex dark fruit flavors evident in the classic examples. A nicely made beer, but a bit off style wise.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 01:15:40 | More by mpyle

57md

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is a dark brown color that is reminiscent of the color of bittersweet chocolate. The significant tan head leaves practically nothing behind, which is surprising for such a creamy offering.

The nose is not very strong at all. The flavor profile includes a mild chocolate flavor with some dark fruits and perhaps a touch of coffee bitterness at the finish. Not nearly as roasty as I would like, but a solid effort nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2012 05:27:44 | More by 57md

brewtechnik

New Hampshire

4.65/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Finally getting around to reviewing this awesome brew...definitely one of my favorite locals.

A: Pours black with just a slight dark brown hue around the edges. Thick tan head settles into a nice ring till finished.

S: Smells of chocolate, roast, raisin & caramel dominate. Hops very well placed in the mix. Alcohol coming through but not intrusive at all...makes me want to drink it NOW.

T: Perfect. Much like the smell. Not sure if they could have done it any better...the balance is great! It's malt forward, but the hop bitterness fits nicely and follows through. Just a tad of dark fruit ester from the yeast, but I really like it...plays well with the alcohol presents.

M: Medium to heavy...about the same as a KBS, but not as much as a BCBS. The carbonation is perfect.

This is definitely a winner...a must-try if you haven't yet. Think I'll buy 2-3 more and cellar for a few years...If I can wait that long :)

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 23:00:01 | More by brewtechnik

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle, has a bottled in 2012 notch, poured into a snifter.

A- Pours black with a very thin tan head that quickly fizzles off to a mirrored surface.

S- Roasted malt, dark fruit, some sweet caramel and licorice.

T- Slightly charred grain, big chocolatey center, some coffee, lots of fig and black cherry sweetness towards the finish, has a sweet finish with roasted coffee beans. Considerable but not overpowering boozy sweetness and warmth.

M- Full-bodied, smooth creamy feel with moderate to high carbonation.

O- A great Baltic Porter, the roasted and fruity flavors are done very well, this is a really delicious beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 09:05:51 | More by WillCarrera

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle poured into an oversized snifter.

A: Pours black with a one-inch tan head. The head settles fairly quickly, but never fully disappears. Lacing is sparse and wispy.

S: Layered malt scents of vanilla, cocoa powder, milk chocolate, and creamed coffee. Touch of earthy hops. Darkfruit comes out as it warms: raisin, prune, and black raspberry. A complex and well-rounded nose.

T: Quick flash of raspberry on the attack is quickly overtaken by creamed coffee and milk chocolate. More layered chocolate flavors begin to emerge, with cocoa and semi-sweet dark coming to the forefront. Suggestions of raisin and some earthy tastes in the background. Gets more roasty and a touch woody toward the end. The finish is seemingly endless and allows delicious flavors of layered chocolate to lounge on the tongue. Delicious.

M: On the thicker side of medium bodied. Lightly carbonated. Delightfully lush and creamy. Feels as though it's been whipped, it fills the whole mouth. Wonderful mouthfeel.

O: This is damn near perfection. Great all around and extremely drinkable. Drinks like it's 5% abv rather than 9%. My favorite Smuttynose offering to date, and one that I revisit quite often.

Notes: This beer is one of my top 25 personal favorites. I can't praise it enough. No hype, just a great beer at a great price ($6 bomber) with wide distribution. An absolute must-try.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 02:10:21 | More by ryan1788a5

infi

New York

4.1/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle-conditioned in 2012.

Poured into a Duvel tulip.

Dark pour with ruby red edges and a thin, tannish head that quickly dissipates.

Smells of red wine, dark fruit like raisins, dark chocolate and boozy heat. Small amount of malt. Mostly sweet fruit, bitter chocolate and alcohol.

Opens up with dates and raisins, which transitions into bittersweet, dark chocolate and really earthy and pith-like bitterness at the end. Booziness isn't too prevalent on palate, but the heat is there.

Thin side of medium in feel. Lots of carbonation.

One of my personal, favorite tasting porters. For what its worth, this is an incredible beer. Been wanting to try it for a while and was pleased to do so. Well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 03:27:21 | More by infi

Spider889

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle conditioned in 2012.

Last year I missed this, but heard really positive things, so I jumped on this bottle the minute I got wind that it had hit shelves. Purchased at From the Vine.

Poured into a Cigar City snifter.

Nice clarity off the pour from what is discernible on a beer this dark. Black once collected in the glass. At first i feared Baltic Porter wouldn't produce any head. It's there waiting to come forth, but the head is very slow to rise. The carbonation is vigorous enough to provide a steady toffee colored capo of fine foam atop the beer until the last drop. Lacing is minor - appeared mostly only after each sip on the inside half on the glass.

Warm and creamy. Notions of green hops, oak, and black malt. The aroma isn't exactly charred or ashy... just dark.

The flavor showcases these dark malts even better. Char and light coffee flavors bound into play. Bitter green and spicy hops punch you in the face as well. The label proclaims dark fruit flavors which I do not get. The alcohol is very prominent, though never boozy or unwelcome.

Bitter, spicy, dark, with some alcohol warming. Smooth texture; medium bodied.

Overall a very solid beer indeed. Also a great value at $5.99 for the bomber. I'm not sure I like this as much as some, but I'll definitely drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 05:36:33 | More by Spider889

BigCheese

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled in 2012. Bomber.

A: Pours near ink black with reddish hue. Initially a big sandy/brown head, leaves some lacing at initially, but not all the way.

S: Dark chocolate, coffee, fudge, and maybe a hint of lemon hops. Some booziness/borboun in nose also.

T: Initially powdered sugar, lemon shortbread sweetness with some floral hops perhaps. Then the malt profile takes over with toffee, molasses, rasins, choclate, all in there. A little heat from the alcohol. Not as roasty as a RIS. Lingering honey/caramel/whiskey finish lingers on palate and is quite pleasant. Very sweet overall.

M: Creamy and thick. Very rich. Good ammount of carbonation it seems. ABV is apparent but not overly so. Actually pretty sessionable. Could do 3 pints probably.

O: Awesome brew from smuttynose. Quintessential Baltic porter. Different flavor profile from RIS (More hops, less roasted). Highly reccomended, would love to do a vertical with a few of these and see how it ages. Must buy.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 21:19:34 | More by BigCheese

stewart124

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2010 vintage

Pours with a small head of dark tan on a jet black body. The head fades quickly and leaves just a little lace.

Nose has a burnt caramel character with prunes, coffee and some bits of licorice.

More dark candied fruit in the overall taste with dark roasted malts coming through in the finish. There is a good amount of carbonation which sharpens this and makes this Baltic Porter come around. Plenty of dark cherry shines through with some bitter chocolate as it warms. Fairly clean finish with some cloying sweetness but otherwise dry.

Lingering sherry notes on the palate. Very easy to drink throughout. Complex beer but still very approachable and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 22:48:35 | More by stewart124

Tschnab

New York

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- pours a deep black with a mocha brown head three finger head that dissipates to a half finger after a while.

S- smell is a rich and roasty balance of coffee and dark chocolate, raisin, plums and figs, char.

T- just like the nose, it is an unbelievable balance of dark fruit and dark roast. The mouthfeel is oily and full.

O- can't believe this beer is so good and affordable at the same time. Love this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 17:51:24 | More by Tschnab

Thads324

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A : pours jet black with a tight tan head. It's super thick and never leaves. Lacing abound.

S : a bit of sweet roasted malt. A bit of alcohol, some chocolate, a hint of coffee. Very nice. A very subtle hint of dried fruits including raisins and dates. Undertones of earthy hops and grass on the back end.

T : begins heavy with sweet coffee and roasted malts. A bit of chocolate in the middle. Slightly bitter hops that include grapefruit, citrus juice and some grassy pine. A bitter chocolate and raisin flavor. Some figs too. Theres a bit of coffee in the middle. As you sip there are more subtle yet discernable flavors. It's like freaking beer candy!!! The alcohol is there, but nicely. It's almost like a black cherry brandy with real natural flavors.

M : full bodied, smooth, medium-low carbonation.

Simple amazing. This is the perfect beer, and the best one I've ever had. The hops complement the big bold and varying malt
Flavor perfectly. Every sip brings subtle nuances that weren't there before.
"I want to brush my teeth with it"!

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 04:32:56 | More by Thads324

RappAttack

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: black opaque with thin head and is retained throughout
S: smells of dark fruit some caramel along with some licorice
T: licorice and caramel come through in the taste along with some other dark fruits even a little bit of coffee
M: thick viscous, nice creamy mouth feel
O: a great example of the style i was really impressed with this. had it on draft a the Capital Alehouse in Fredricksburg after a night of inventory at Total Wine a great way to end the night.

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2012 16:58:58 | More by RappAttack

nickfl

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2009 vintage

A - poured with a small head of dark tan foam on an opaque, black body. The head fades quickly and leaves little lace.

S - caramel, raisin, mocha, and licorice.

T - dark fruit notes of plum and black cherry up front. Some dark chocolate and raisin in the middle. Sherry, vanilla, raisin and burnt caramel in the finish.

M - a thick, oily body, moderate carbonation, and a sweet finish.

D - really nice, this has obviously aged well and the raisin and sherry notes only add to the complexity of an already dense beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 04:36:29 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: single finger tan head with some lacing on a jet black body without light passing through.

S: one word, raisin. It is hard to notice anything else here. Vanilla notes perhaps.

T: Roasted, vanilla and sweet notes. Lighter on the dark fruit than the aroma predicts but still present.

M: full body and moderate carbonation. Fairly smooth. 

Overall: not too bad. Thick like most baltics and fairly drinkable. A little oily in the finish

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 04:34:50 | More by kylehay2004

RTEdmunds

New Hampshire

4.4/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

poured from the 22oz bottle into a glass stein.

Held up to the light, this brew is completely opaque. nice tan colored head.

aroma is earthy, and I can detect coffee undertones.

complex bitter flavor. roasted, nutty, and a strong espresso aftertaste.

mouthfeel is rich, and does not feel like the ABV is as strong as it actually is.

Overall an excellent product. I am new to the New England breweries, but this is the best regional brew I have had to date. Highly recommend it. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 05:09:42 | More by RTEdmunds

BeerLover99

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: black body, finger tan head, great lacing

S: dark chocolate, vanilla, roasted nuts, malt

T: dark chocolate/vanilla, malt, caramel, roasted finish

M: med/heavy body, smooth/chewy mouth

O: Another MIGHTY fine brew from
Smuttynose! Highly recommend
and would get again.

OUTSTANDING, MUST TRY!

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 22:17:13 | More by BeerLover99

ElDavicho

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Everything about this beer was a surprise to me.

looks like most other porters I've had, only the head is a bit more flighty...this is not densely packed, creamy head, got about 2 inches but it disperses quickly

On the pour, heavy berry aroma...I didn't get a whiff of chocolate or roasted malt until the beer settled a bit. Out the gate it was all fruit for me, and merged into a menagerie of italian roast, and dark chocolate

The lager yeast really pull through and makes this one unique, especially considering the strength. I would never guess this was 9% if I didn't read it before hand. Crisp and clean all the way through, with a nice roasted kick on the back end. Sweet and slightly tart on the tongue.

Great beer...good thing I picked up 3 bottles, I love the porter style and especially appreciate when they've taken steps to separate it from being a stout. I think in this case the lager yeast really pulls it away from just being a stout with a different name. I can absolutely image this beer brewed for no reason other than to make the trip across the Baltic sea.

Great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 04:12:02 | More by ElDavicho

sacrelicio

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Wow, this is one amazing beer from Smuttynose. Pours a deep dark black with brownish highlights. A nice chocolate milk colored head tops the brew with decent lacing. The smell is an enticing bouquet of roasted porter goodness, with a nice dose of dark fruits. The flavor is pretty bitter but still rich with dark chocolate and lots of fruits and nuts. The mouthfeel is a soft, yet full and rich. The perfect baltic porter.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 06:31:51 | More by sacrelicio