Smoked Porter - Vanilla Bean - Stone Brewing Co.

DovaliHops

California

4.01/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very dark brown, almost black. Small-medium, off-white/tan head that disappears quickly. Scent is nice and roasty. Dark malt, dark chocolate...with A LOT of vanilla. Taste is initially vanilla forward. A TON of vanilla. Not nearly as smokey as the original smoke porter. Very faint smoke with a well balanced, sweet, dark chocolate edge. Somewhat bitter finish. Mouthfeel is medium bodied. Drinkability is high. Overall, this is a great beer that is very tasty. I prefer the Chipotle version more though.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2013 09:58:22 | More by DovaliHops

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draft at The Pour House in Westmont, NJ.

Pours a deep dark brown color that's almost black and completely opaque with faint mahogany edges and a two finger beige head that slowly settles into a lasting ring.  Streaks and chunks of soapy lacing left behind.

Slightly smokey, roasted malt aroma with sweet and roasted malt notes countered by silky vanilla sweetness.  Vanilla is prominent but doesn't overpower other notes allowing hints of dark chocolate, caramel, toast and oatmeal to come through.  

Medium bodied with a strong smokey, roasted malt presence up front that lingers over the sweetner notes and vanilla bean into a very dry finish.  Very robust with dark chocolate, oatmeal and burnt toast countered by toffee, lighter chocolate and hazelnut. The sweetness from the vanilla cuts the bitter roasted character with a decent amount of silky sweetness.  Good vailla flavor but is somewhat subtle letting the characteristics of the base beer shine. Was expecting more vailla but it's subtly integrated and shows most toward the finish.  Could use a little more vanilla but is still really good.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2012 02:02:31 | More by corby112

socon67

New York

3.63/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Chocolate brown pour with serious lacing. Brown foam settles fast.

S - Initial smell of of smoky malt, and chocolate. Only after settling a bit did I really smell vanilla bean.

T - Flavors seem a bit mismatched. The smoke takes away from the faint vanilla flavor. They don't add to any complexity. However, both flavors do show and are enjoyable.

M - I'd prefer the regular smoked porter a bit more. The finish doesn't have nearly the tobacco feel.

O - I'd still put the chipotle variety at the top. Still a nice porter, but Stone's vanilla variant is the least of the 3.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2012 23:00:24 | More by socon67

zeff80

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at 44 Stone, Columbia, MO on 7/26/12

A - Poured an opaque, jet black color with a small, tan head of bubbly foam. It left sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of vanilla with some mild smoky notes.

T - It tasted smoky with a nice vanilla touch to mellow the smoke. Nice roasted malt flavor.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is really tasty. I think I like this better than the original version.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2012 01:44:17 | More by zeff80

brureview

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap in Providence. Not bad, but I was very disappointed given the Stone reputation.

The color was a good dark coffee brown, and there was a little head.

The vanilla smell was not strong- I expected more.

Mouth feel was okay- moderately carbonated.

The taste was average, a bit of vanilla, with a standard porter finish. Nothing to write home about.

As the beer warmed up, I was waiting for more- it didn't happen.

I have tried many porters, and this is average. There could be improvements: the vanilla could enhance the finish and smell, but it doesn't work out with this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2012 23:46:38 | More by brureview

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Stone's usual brash demeanor takes a more delicate stride with the vanilla coat that adorns their ever popular Smoked Porter.

The beer pours like many other porters; with a dark brown color and delicate creme that gives the dark ale a very espresso-like appearance. Capped by the dainty off white foam that's fueled by carbonation, the beer trails with subdued islands of lace.

But a visit to the nose brings something different- the coffee and chocolate notes that are familiar to porters are complemented by the unmistakable and savory veil of vanilla and campfire. Where the mild smoky notes bring about a spice complexity, the vanilla soothes the senses and evokes a calming response to the nose.

The love affair that the smoky coffee flavor and vanilla companionship provide a masculine and feminine taste that plays out on the semisweet malt base of slightly scorched molasses, light taste of malted milk, and bittersweet chocolates. Toast, walnut oils, and coconut play out underneath the firm malt underpinnings and the decoration of smoke and cream.

Mild to texture, somehow the palate expects more fullness, richness, and viscocity. But the low-lying carbonation allows the ale to rest weightedly on the palate for full appreciation of flavor for a semi cask-like effect. A patient transition across the middle palate lands at the finish with a light mouthfeel of silk and mint-like alcohol warmth.

Although the vanilla provides a soothing effect to the otherwise masculine porter, the mouthfeel keeps me yearning for an imperial version of this beer. But its effortless palate and high rate of drinkability more than make up for it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-18-2012 17:02:52 | More by BEERchitect

barczar

Kentucky

3.85/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque dark brown, almost black, with a solid half inch creamy, dense tan head that lingers.

Coffee grounds, roast, smoked malt, cocoa, a bit of nuttiness and a hint of vanilla comprise the aroma.

Vanilla is far more prevalent in the flavor, dominating throughout the profile, while heavy roast malt, cocoa, and slightly acrid, tangy coffee taste form the backbone. Bitter hop flavor rounds out the finish. I didn't get much smoke flavor until the aftertaste, when it became a little plasticy. Malted milk balls surface as it warms.

Body is moderate, with more carbonation than anticipated. There's a bit of biting astringency and alcohol warmth.
It's strangely light on the tongue.

Overall, flavor of the vanilla is much more dominant than the smoke character. Good base porter, but I would've liked more balance in the smoke and vanilla characters.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2012 21:33:47 | More by barczar

marlinsfan4

Maryland

4.38/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Max's, pours a nice cloudy brown color. Smell is of faint vanilla, tannish head to it. Great creamy mouthfeel, well balanced with tons of roasted maltiness and a present, but subtle vanilla undertone. Finishes clean and smooth. Very flavorful porter, Stone shines through once again, one of the best beers I had at the bar all night.

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2012 19:19:12 | More by marlinsfan4

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

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

On tap @ Cole's. Served in pint glass.

A - Dark black with one finger of bubbly light brown head with decent retention. Great lacing with big long legs on the walls of the glass.

S - Roasted malts, vanilla, smoke. A good balance of the three aromas.

T - Roasted malts and a big hit of vanilla. Smoke is a secondary flavour but is definitely present. A decent bitterness balances out a sweet malt bill. The vanilla is in percent proportion, not overpowering the other flavours but defintiely from and centre.

M - Medium body, smooth. Light to moderate carbonation.

O - A truly excellent beer. Stone found a way to actually improve my favourite beer of theirs. Well done.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2012 15:30:04 | More by TheSevenDuffs

FosterJM

California

3.85/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1223rd Review on BA
Draft to Pint

@Limericks Pub- Upland,CA

Hanging with Lcmir23

App- Almost a pitch black color. Some brown & amber edges. Bad pour got me zero head on it and had no cling either. Just a very there pour.

Smell- Picks up a little bit in the aromatics. Still had a bit of roasted smokiness to it with some creamy vanilla and a bit of malts as well.

Taste- There it is. Its a tasty beer. Had some good vanilla flavors that lingered for a long time. The smokiness was very tame on this one and I appreciate the blend on this. Not over the top with either flavor but nice balance.

Mouth- A bit of a medium body and a creamy low-medium carbonation level. Residual vanilla and malt flavors.

Drink- Been looking to try this one for a while and am glad I found it. Nice creamy flavors and a good balance. Would love this bottled.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2012 18:40:14 | More by FosterJM

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I've caught this on-tap a few times before but always passed it up for some reason.

Pours very dark brown, a small beige head retains decently as a cap and ring.

Nice mix of chocolate+vanilla in the scent, good strength. Not much smoke but good enough for the 4.

Same as the smell, big milk chocolate+vanilla bean, good interplay between them. Some roasted malt there but not much smoke, unlike the original. Decent hoppage.

Feels thin, kinda weird feeling carbonation, kinda limp overall.

The chocolate/vanilla combo is nice (reminds me of Aphrodisiaque) but the great smokiness from the regular version is obliterated, this variation is on the sweeter side.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2012 13:26:00 | More by Chico1985

Rhynes2

Ohio

4.68/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was on tap at the local shop and pours a beautiful dark color with a creamy head. Great head retention and lacing. I could smell the vanilla right off the bat and it has the best vanilla flavor i have ever seen in a beer. It mixes well with the dark malts with flavors found in the original Smoked Porter. Coffee and chocolate are the main flavors I take away from this one. Over all i think this is a great beer and I'll be getting this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2011 16:30:22 | More by Rhynes2

billshmeinke

California

3.38/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in the LBC.

Very dark brown, almost black. Some amber hues at the esges. One finger of off white head. Great lacing and retention.

Smells of smoke dark malt and some vanilla extract.

Taste is just a big blast of vanilla up front, then some dark roasted malt, flavors are almost cola like.

Mouthfeel seems a bit thin despite good carbonation, kinda plays up the impression of cola like flavors.

Interesting, but the vanilla is a little too much. I'd recommend it to anyone with a serious sweet tooth and love of vanilla though.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2011 22:58:26 | More by billshmeinke

HopHead84

California

4.15/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

10/30/2011

A: Dark brown with a reddish tinge near the edges.

S: Aromatic vanilla blends with dark chocolate and roasted malt. Smoke is light and redolent of beech wood.

T: Roasted malt with a pervasive beech wood smokiness and a pronounced vanilla bean flavor. The vanilla is pretty awesome with this beer. Chocolate is evident.

M: Medium body with upper moderate carbonation.

Overall: An improvement upon an already good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2011 02:43:23 | More by HopHead84

Spider889

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Black, thin, with a finger of sandy head. Nice spidery lace.

Smells like vanilla soft serve with very light smoke, and some blackened malt.

Tastes goddamn delicious. Smoke comes through much more than in the aroma, though I would really like to see this beer get even smokier. Ash also presents itself, but the vanilla bean in king. This tastes like Breyer's French Vanilla ice cream with some mild toasty chocolate flavor on the back end.

Medium body to this porter, thin texture, with a bit of dull bitterness. The alcohol seems a bit boozy for the mere 6% abv. The vanilla also adds an oily character to the beer.

Overall I felt that this was an awesome example of what vanilla can do for a beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2011 07:55:40 | More by Spider889

adamette

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Live review. Poured on tap at Winking Lizard in Peninsula, Oh for $4.60 into a clean, clear pint glass.

A Very dark brown body that I cannot see through under a creamy, light brown head. Look is pleasing. Great lacing on the inside of the glass after repeated sips. 4.0

S Not much smell at all. Really, repeated sniffs reveal very little information. The faintest dark roast malt and no vanilla beans like I had been hoping to smell. 2.0

T Very good porter taste of dark roast malt balanced with a nice pleasing vanilla sweetness. I really enjoy the taste of this beer. 4.5

M Moderate thickness. I think that I would have appreciated a little bit more smoothness or creaminess to the feel. It is a bit thin. 3.5

D Because of the ultimately pleasing taste this is an easy drinker. Also the manageable ABV of 5.9% makes it easy to handle repeated pints. 4.5

Notes: Glad that I got to try this one, my first “Vanilla Bean” beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2011 02:20:14 | More by adamette

metter98

New York

4.08/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Blind Tiger Ale House, New York, NY

A: The beer is very dark amber (near black) in color and poured with a half finger high beige head that died down and left some lacing on the surface and a ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of vanilla bean in the nose.
T: The initial taste has notes of smoke, but this quickly transitions to lots of flavors of vanilla, which persist through the finish, which also has a hint of sweetness.
M: It feels medium-bodied and somewhat smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The beer is rather easy to drink because the alcohol is well hidden and the sweetness and vanilla flavors are balanced enough from being overpowering.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2011 00:52:13 | More by metter98

beerpirates

Belgium

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap @ moeder lambic " zwanze day "

a - Pours a dark black folor with one inch of off white head and light carbonation evident.

s - Smells of vanilla beans, roasted malts, and chocolate. Vanilla dominates the nose, but I really enjoy it.

t - Tastes of vanilla, roasted malts, and chocolate, with vanilla dominating again. A little bit of smoke, but not too much.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

d - A pretty easy drinking vanilla smoked porter. This was one of the surprises of the night for me. I thought it smelt and tasted great, though I didn't get a whole lot of smoke thanks to the vanilla. Would definitely try again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2011 16:34:03 | More by beerpirates

nrbw23

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours pretty much a black color with a touch of red around the edges. A solid little head of tan foam. Head has pretty solid retention and leaves some spotty lacing at best.

S- Roasted malts, chocolate, and a bit of hops. The smoke is toned down quite a bit in this one from the regular version. Vanilla is here but not as much as I expected.

T- Ok there is the vanilla much more noticeable in the taste and I'm digging this. The smoke is taken back probably several notches. A touch of coffee and a bit of hop bitterness.

M- Fuller side of medium in body and carbonation was pretty nice.

O- I really enjoyed this one, so much that I ordered a second.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2011 10:35:52 | More by nrbw23

mattcrill

Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Aroma: Nice light cocoa aroma up front. Very light sweet vanilla notes. No fruity esters. Not detecting any smokey or any other porter-like characteristics.

Appearance: Dark brown with shoe leather highlights. Sticky off-white head that retains well.

Flavor: Pleasant soft-vanilla and cocoa notes persist as in the aroma. Bittersweet chocolate character is the theme throughout. Earthy hop bitterness provides the understated counterpoint. Finish is clean and dry. Smokiness lingers in the aftertaste but not a punch in the face as in other smoked styles.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with medium carbonation. Slightly creamy and no alcohol character.

Overall impression: Nicely done. The smoke and vanilla provide nice accents and don't over-power the beer. I appreciated how subdued they could be and still highlight the amazing quality and drinkability of this beer. Well done.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2011 18:24:50 | More by mattcrill

Hoptometrist

Oregon

3.05/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on tap into a nonic glass at the Winking Lizard

A- Poured black with a one finger frothy head that left some lace

S- Very potent aroma, big vanilla, lavender, and floral notes. No chocolate or coffee

T- A ton of vanilla, lavender, floral, and perfume like flavors with a little bit of smoke on the finish

M- Pretty thin for a porter and overcarbonated for my taste in the style

O- This beer tasted like if a vanilla bean and lavender air freshener made love in a field of flowers. Where are the roasty notes, coffee, and chocolate? This one just did not do it for me.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2011 03:07:34 | More by Hoptometrist

jmeyers78

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Winking Lizard served in nonic pint glass.

A- dark brown almost black with a thin white head. Served in a chilled glass so I tried to let it warm up a bit

S - Mostly vanilla. I picked up a slight aroma of malt but not much

T- as this beer warmed up it went from a mostly vanilla taste that masked the underlying smoked porter to a more blended taste. This beer is much better at 55 degrees than ice cold. As the beer warmed I could taste roasted malts and the smoke but when it's cold all I could taste was vanilla. It was almost like that strange vanilla coke from a few years back.

M - Nice creamy, thick mouthfeel. Stone usually gets this right on their beer.

O - I really wished this would've been served warmer. I spent a third of the glass really thinking Stone missed the mark. After it warmed up I really began to enjoy it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2011 18:39:57 | More by jmeyers78

notchucknorris

California

3.83/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Black with a very thin light brown head.

S: Lots of nice vanilla on the nose. It doesn't smell overly sweet or artificial, which is a really good thing.

T: I'm really not a fan of the smoked porter, but this is way way better. Nice chocolate and vanilla flavors, which mellow out the harsh smokiness of the original version. Pretty nice.

Review from bottle 7/3

A: Pours black with a thin tan head. Massive amounts of lacing down the glass.

S: I get a good amount of roasted malt, cola nut, vanilla and maybe a hint of chocolate.

T: Lots of vanilla upfront, but luckily it doesn't taste very artificial. Roasted malt and coffee with a good amount of smokiness towards the finish. Lots of dark roasted coffee on the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2011 15:20:30 | More by notchucknorris

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

3.63/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Stone porter with Vanilla bean, poured black with a decent size white head. The smell was similar to that of a urnal cake, and was rather offesnive. The taste was full of vinilla. Very little porter like taste, just alot of vanilla. Very strong flavor, good carbonation. Overall a very unquie beer, STRONG overpowering vanilla flavors, if you dont LOVE vanilla you will not like this beer, luckly for me I do.

Serving type: on-tap

07-18-2011 05:41:46 | More by vette2006c5r

dbmernin83

California

4.22/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It's a porter. It's dark. Great 1 inch khaki head that lasts.
Roasted espresso and vanilla.
Espresso with some dark chocolate and a vanilla finish.
Good carbonation and not too heavy for the big flavor.
This is a great porter. The vanilla smooths things out and makes this even more drinkable than the normal stone smoked porter

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2011 07:06:17 | More by dbmernin83