Smoked Porter - Vanilla Bean - Stone Brewing Co.

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BA SCORE
89
good
-
887 Ratings

rAvg: 3.95
pDev: 12.91%
Reviews: 361
Hads: 526

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Brewed by:
Stone Brewing Co.

California, United States

Style | ABV
American Porter | 5.90% ABV

Availability: Rotating. bottle (222), on-tap (92), cask (28), growler (18), nitro-tap (1).

Notes:
No notes at this time.

View: Beers (85) | Reviews (242) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by ZBerkeleyan:

ZBerkeleyan

California

4.58/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle, and it created a nice thick tan head. Lacing stuck to the sides of the glass, and light shone though the brew creating a crimson-brown glow.

The smell was the least impressive aspect, though it definitely improved and got more complex as the beer warmed. The vanilla bean was immediately apparent, while the other flavors were subtler and took time and a warmer temperature to become noticeable. There is also some spice in the nose, and malts.

The taste was just phenomenal. Creamy vanilla combined with a smokey, almost meaty second act. This unusual combination works amazingly well. It keeps the beer interesting til the very end.

The mouthfeel was, like any porter, pretty substantial. However, this one isn't too terribly filling or overwhelming. Still, even when taken in small sips, it has a bold and chewy character. Very satisfying, like a dessert (speaking of which, if you're in the mood for experimentation, pour a little of this over vanilla ice cream. Beer nerd sacrilege? Maybe. But it's a great way to make any old cheap pint of vanilla ice cream into a complex and worthwhile dessert).

Overall, do yourself a favor and try this one. Definitely worthwhile.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 06:26:58 | More by ZBerkeleyan

More User Reviews:

Boston_Steve

Massachusetts

4.25/5 rDev +7.6%

05-23-2013 18:52:37 | More by Boston_Steve

pisano

Massachusetts

3.5/5 rDev -11.4%

05-23-2013 13:43:55 | More by pisano

IPeteA91

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4.5/5 rDev +13.9%

05-22-2013 05:27:45 | More by IPeteA91

verge

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4/5 rDev +1.3%

05-21-2013 18:02:57 | More by verge

archero

Texas

4.5/5 rDev +13.9%

05-18-2013 05:33:29 | More by archero

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5 rDev -5.1%

05-17-2013 15:10:49 | More by twenty5

Zbeetleman

California

3.5/5 rDev -11.4%

05-15-2013 03:09:37 | More by Zbeetleman

Absolut

California

4/5 rDev +1.3%

05-14-2013 17:48:21 | More by Absolut

deadliest

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4.5/5 rDev +13.9%

05-14-2013 03:27:26 | More by deadliest

vrbulldog22

Ohio

4.25/5 rDev +7.6%

05-13-2013 18:40:29 | More by vrbulldog22

csfcmitchell

Texas

4/5 rDev +1.3%

05-13-2013 15:52:28 | More by csfcmitchell

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.25/5 rDev +7.6%

05-13-2013 14:51:32 | More by mikeincharleston

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

3.25/5 rDev -17.7%

05-11-2013 15:20:26 | More by mikeburd1128

schnarr84

Alberta (Canada)

4/5 rDev +1.3%

05-11-2013 07:08:38 | More by schnarr84

Zimm

New Jersey

4.25/5 rDev +7.6%

05-10-2013 11:35:36 | More by Zimm

larryi86

Delaware

3.88/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle poured into a tulip

A- Black with a three finger tan head.

S- Roasted malts, chocolate, vanilla, smoky.

T- Lot of smoke and char, definitely in the finish, chocolate up front with some vanilla in the middle.

M- Medium body, good carbonation.

O- I was really hoping to for more vanilla and less smoke. I would like to try this fresher to see if it has more vanilla. Happy that I at least got to try it!

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 21:37:52 | More by larryi86