Baltic Porter - Uncommon Brewers

DoubleJ

California

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Avenue Bar & Cigars for $3 a pint, on to the beer:

Obsidian in color with a large head created on the pour, though retention and lacing are merely adequate. In the aroma, a little fudge and some licorice greet the nose.

The tastes of licorice, unsweetened chocolate, and pinches of leafy hop and brushes of alcohol put this beer on the 3.75 mark, but the pleasant aftertaste of fudge are enough to warrant rounding up. Body is leaning towards heavy, fairly smooth. A pint is plenty, or at least in the short time span I had to drink this.

A return to Santa Cruz and its Uncommon Brewers has come in reward with this Baltic Porter. Glad my spontaneous instinct got me into that bar in the first place.

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2011 06:21:36 | More by DoubleJ

nataku00

California

4.38/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Bay Area Craft Beer Festival. Poured a dark brown into my tasting glass with maybe half a finger of head that quickly dissipated. Little to no lacing when I tried to agitate the glass to promote more head, indicating a fairly viscous and possibly syrupy beer. I couldn't see any carbonation through the dark beer.

Nose was dark fruits (plums and raisins primarily) and anise licorice flavors. Some breadiness as well, but it did not smell overly sweet, which I was worried about when I saw how syrupy it looked.

Taste follows the nose, with the licorice being at just the right level, balanced by a little sweetness from the malt, and some fruitiness. I'm not normally a fan of licorice, but this had a really pleasant flavor. Little to no aftertaste left on the tongue, with a nice smooth and almost creamy mouthfeel from the medium to full body.

Very easy to drink, and I had around three samples at the beer fest before they ran out of it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2010 21:06:01 | More by nataku00

4000qtrap

Missouri

2.65/5  rDev -30.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Source/Serving: Draught

Smell: Burnt cinnamon and oak....like a fireplace burning cedar wood. Very strong smell of alcohol. Very powerful and interesting.

Taste: A lot like bourbon at first, but a quarter of the way through it started to develop some grape-like flavors which made it more like brandy, or like it was aged in a red wine barrel. Noticeable alcohol, wood, dry roasted/burnt malts. Thin body, creamy, low carbonation. Finish lingers forever with wood/bourbon qualities. This beer was really complex and excellent until about halfway through when the finish started becoming quite harsh and astringent with intense fusel alcohols making it a bit hard to drink. The intense flavor of the beer partially covered this up and made it palpable, but it was a big disappointment after the beer started out so strong.

Notes: To me this beer is really dominated by alcohol presence which is both good (great bourbon and brandy qualities) and bad (very prevalent in the smell and dominant fusel alcohols in the finish). Definitely not my favorite though.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2010 05:54:48 | More by 4000qtrap

Halcyondays

California

4.15/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours black with a full light tan head, good lacing in this one.

S: Seductive, rich notes of dark chocolate and mild espresso I really liked.

T: Big notes of chocolate, almost opulent, rich cacao. Mild burnt sugar, molasses and French roast coffee in there as well, but the chocolate dominates.

M: Smooth, rich, soft carbonation, ethanol is nowhere to be found, but the big flavours make it a sipper.

D: This is a real nice beer from Uncommon, probably my favourite from them so far. Just a beer to enjoy and think about.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2009 02:01:54 | More by Halcyondays

bulletrain76

California

4.13/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draught at The Red. Black with a small tan head. Sweet coffee and licorice aroma. Full bodied with a very silky texture and dark chocolate flavor. Lots of dark, rum soaked fruits, coffee, and a bitter finish. Very smooth, rich, and boozy in a good way. Great baltic porter.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2009 23:13:36 | More by bulletrain76

illidurit

California

4.22/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at The Red in Santa Cruz. Pitch black with a cocoa colored head and slight red hues with backing light. Nose of roasted coffee with some cream and sugar. Some licorice and bourbon character as well, similar overall to coffee liqueur. Flavor is very similar to the aroma but there's a huge roasted character with moderate bitterness and nice dryness. Very interesting and tasty. A very good beer and another step in the right direction for Uncommon Brewers.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2009 05:22:13 | More by illidurit

Monalenard

Illinois

3.29/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5

pours black with a giant cola head with big bubbles to match that quickly dissipate to leave a brown, actively fizzy right. No lacing. This carbonation is the number one reason that i usually hate porters (i don't really have a number two reason). However, that is the style, so i'm not sure what i expected. The nose is pretty nice, you can sense that there is going to be an alcohol burn not unlike that of a dark scotch ale-loch down comes to mind. Subtle to medium hops, toasted malts, vanilla, maybe a little coffee or its just a confusion of the toasty notes and the vanilla. either way, quite nice. Taste, goddamnit bubbles, fuck off, i'm trying to taste this beer. again, this is what i hate about porters, they're good but you have to TRY to taste them through a thick electric fence of abrasive carbonation. The taste follows the nose exactly and its very good. I suspect i might have scored this part higher if i could actually taste it more through the assault of the novelty children's drink this is bred with. Maybe thats just me, and this is just a porter for ya. So, i don't think i really even need to address mouthfeel at this point. I love all beer just for the sake of variety and when i want dark i typically stick to my stouts but every once in a while i just have to remind myself that porters aren't my thing... backtracking- definitely some coffee.

Serving type: can

05-07-2013 19:09:43 | More by Monalenard

blackie

Virginia

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

single from WF Fairfax

a: tall boy can into a wide belgian snifter, the beer is a deep brown in color - essentially black in low light, a nice layer of head falling back quickly to a thin ring

s: semisweet chocolate chips hit the forward end, the licorice and anise aren't as obvious as anticipated, which is probably a good thing - as is they add a nice depth with a gentle root beer-like aroma, smooth barley roasts, some toffee sweetness, touches of alcohol

m: carbonation just under moderate, body light-medium

t: a nudge of slight sweetness tempers dry roasted barley flavors that run from start to finish, not much licorice/anise flavor - I suppose it's melded into the roasty structure, later on I do pick up what may be the anise in the form of a root beer flavor as found on the nose, hop flavors not particularly distinct, contributing a mild-moderate bitterness to the dry finish

o: not a huge or terribly complex baltic, but nicely structured and well-designed, the additives give the aroma a little push but aren't noticeably integral to the success of this one

Serving type: can

04-08-2013 01:27:59 | More by blackie

OBeerMeGreatOne

California

4.25/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours out a deep dark chocolate, large, frothy tan head. Pretty sweet lace retention.

Chocolate, plum and earthy hops fill the nose. Nice hint of anise and spice.

Thick and smooth going down. Chocolate and anise combine with a bit of dark fruit (plum) to start this off. Earthy hops and a hint of citrus give it a nice hop balance.

Very nice Baltic Porter. I'll definitely grab up a 4-pack.

Serving type: can

03-09-2013 23:55:54 | More by OBeerMeGreatOne

LiquidAmber

Washington

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into an Elysian snifter. Pours a very dark ruddy brown amber with a nice finger of light brown head with great retention and lacing. Aroma of chocolate, toasted mallt and a hint of cherry and anise. Flavor of light fruit esters, toasted malt, licorice and hint of chocolate and cherry. Finishes with an interesting wave of toasted malt and more fruit, leaving a long, pleasant and spicey aftertaste. Medium bodied with light creaminess. Not quite a traditional Baltic porter, but I found the uncharacteristically estery fruit component was very nicely balanced with the malt and spices. Pleasant and well done.

Serving type: can

01-27-2013 04:26:49 | More by LiquidAmber

farrago

New Jersey

3.99/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The pour yields close to two fingers of active foam, plenty of larger bubbles and snap, crackle and pop across the whole surface, very dark brown color, given that fizziness not surprising head retention is average at best. The liquid is equally dark and opaque, stays more in the brown than black range, this supported by the orange aura around the outside, appears clean and unblemished, hard to discern any bubbles present. The nose loaded with roasted coffee, mocha and chocolate notes then moves from toast into sweeter caramel, licorice, banana bread and lower levels of peach, apricot fruit and orange zest, not that complex but highly pungent and lingering. Medium-bodied, creamy in texture with a fair degree of booziness to it, evokes something close to vanillin oak, coconut and butterscotch. Piles on the roasted chocolate, coffee and the licorice a major factor too, almost minty at times, pinch of nutmeg. The carbonation is on the low side and tends to accentuate that creaminess. After awhile, hard to really register much past the chocolate element, minimal cherry and peach fruit flavors as well as little hoppiness. If you like roast and can see past the booziness it’s easy enough to pound down.

Serving type: can

01-16-2013 04:09:24 | More by farrago

MRsojourner

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

16oz tall boy can poured into a nice High and Mighty mug. the pour looked so thick like an imperial stout nice and silky and black as night
The aroma had a bit of anise and some fumes of hot alcohol.
The taste was of a mild coffee and a musty chocolate combo followed by just a hint of earthy hops to balance it out. it is very clean and somewhat refreshing. medium mouthfeel with a head that sticks around for a while. enjoyable for sure. ill set a couple of these down for a year and see what happens.

Serving type: can

01-03-2013 22:08:04 | More by MRsojourner

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.58/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pint can purchased from Slowbeer in Melbourne. If I love beer in cans in general, you better believe I love a canned baltic porter.

Pours an oily brown colour, with a surprising thinness to the body. Head forms a flush of brown cola-foam initially, but quickly flakes out and becomes an almost immaterial ring around the edge. Some weak, bubbly carbonation lends again that sense that it's really quite thin. I'm unimpressed.

Nose is dark and roasted, but not overwhelmingly so: underneath are notes of liquorice, and a related booziness like ouzo or raki. There's a slightly tannic overtone as well perhaps, a brusque burnt tea-leaf or red wine sediment character. Despite all of this, it maintains that reedy thinness. It's ok, but not really actually good.

Taste is certainly a little better, with a roundness giving a nutty flavour on the mid palate and towards the finish. This melds with and sometimes masks the aniseed character, and the harsh tannins which threatened to invade on the nose. Spicy finish leaves a nice bite, before that pleasant nut character smooths and lingers.

Feel is pleasant enough, but still lacking a little body.

Fortunately, the beer has redeemed itself by the end. That nut character which appeared out of nowhere provided coherence and structure, and blended the flavours of the beer into a sensible whole. Without it, it would be a very different story.

Serving type: can

12-22-2012 06:59:10 | More by lacqueredmouse

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.03/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a Pumking glass on 12/15/12

05/26/2011 stamped on the can

Very dark mahogany brown; nearly black in the glass, save for the stem. The head is nearly two fingers, but drops quickly to a thin layer. Hardly any lace.

The aroma is pretty well smoothed over at this point. Layers of dark grains, coffee beans, roasted chocolate and anise. Lots of dark berry overtones: black cherry, blueberry and blackberry. Hints of alcohol. Dark berries hit the palate quickly, before a ghost note of anise leads on to hints of dry roasted coffee atop creamy, bittersweet chocolate. The finish is quite dry, despite the beer being moderately sugary. Medium full body with creamy carbonation.

Overall, this is decent enough Baltic Porter. Then again, I'm a sucker for a Baltic Porter.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 02:46:15 | More by Ryan011235

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A serviceable Baltic Porter, picked up fresh recent trip to PA. Pours a bit thick with a bittersweet chocolate scent. Above average mouthfeel. Very drinkable, a little bitter it could use more, a nice roasting. Nice drinkability, 473 ml can provides a good amount to be be shared by two.

Serving type: can

12-13-2012 00:27:05 | More by northyorksammy

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours an extremely dark garnet red (almost black) in color with some very dark amber notes when held up to the light and light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a three finger tall dense tan head that slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Strong aromas of licorice/anise over moderate notes of dark roasted malts and just a hint of alcohol.

T: Strong flavors of licorice/anise over the top of moderate dark roasted malts, chocolate, and just a tiny hint of dark fruits.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation. Slightly thin/watery.

O: Seems a little off from the traditional Baltic Porter style, more of a combination of an American/English Porter and a Russian Imperial Stout. The alcohol is well hidden in the flavor though slightly present in the aroma. Not the easiest beer to drink but can be enjoyed by slowly sipping - also, the flavors are much more pronounced as the beer warms.

Serving type: can

11-08-2012 02:01:26 | More by dbrauneis

metter98

New York

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is very dark red (close to near black) in color. It poured with a two and a half finger high tan head that has good retention properties and consistently left a half finger high head covering the surface.
S: There are moderate to strong aromas of anise and licorice in the nose; these intensify as the beer warms up.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but also has some notes of roasted malts and hints of chocolate. No bitterness is detectable.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a high amount of carbonation. The beer seems a little thin for the style.
O: This beer tastes like a hybrid between a classic English porter (given its lighter body and lack of bitterness) and a Russian Imperial Stout (with the flavors of licorice and roasted malts). Any traces of alcohol are well hidden from the taste. You really need to let his beer warm up in order to enjoy its aromas and flavors.

Serving type: can

11-07-2012 02:51:14 | More by metter98

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: 1/2" brown head over black liquid.

S: Licorice, coffee, roasted malt, flowers, grass.

T: Licorice, coffee, walnuts, pears, apples, flowers, grass.

M: Thin viscosity and a low to medium level of carbonation.

O: Looks, smells and tastes great. If it weren't for the mouthfeel this would be an excellent instead of a very good beer.

Serving type: can

10-26-2012 21:31:39 | More by DaftCaskBC

57md

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep dark brown. almost black with some almond and ruby hues around the edges. There is slightly more than a finger of fluffy tan head, some of which retains well. The nose is a combination of roasty notes and port. The taste is deep, rich and creamy with a touch of roast on the finish, but also a touch of alcohol warmth. Thick body likely makes this a one-and-done type beer for most samplers.

The can states that generous amounts of licorice and anise were used in the brewing process, but, I did not get strong notes of either. This is a minor criticism, however, as I enjoyed my first offering from this brewer very much.

Serving type: can

10-12-2012 05:52:48 | More by 57md

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Can poured into a tulip; dated 9/23/2011

Pours a midnight black with a creamy brown cap. The head rose three+ fingers to fill the tulip. A pretty beer, before a semi-quick fade to a thin collar. Little to no lacing.

The nose is of milk chocolate, ethanol, dark cherry, licorice, and roast malt. The milk chocolate adds a nice sweet element to all of these brash, bitter notes. Pretty inviting aroma.

On the palate sweet milk chocolate coats the palate before a rush of bitter roast and licorice. Some dark cherries and booze on the finish with a lingering ethanol warming.

Smooth and creamy. The finish is borderline lush with a lingering boozy, fruity finish.

This is a pretty decent baltic porter. I know it has about a year on it, but the licorice is still fairly present and an added bonus. Solid baltic porter on all fronts. Tasty.

Serving type: can

10-06-2012 01:19:46 | More by ColForbinBC

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Lol. A baltic porter in can?? Gotta be a first. This is a rare style to see in production. And this one certainly does it justice. It certainly is carrying all of the trademark characteristics I expect for the style. Profile is smooth and consistent. I like this one a lot. No, it doesn't really hold up perfectly against the many other examples of the style I have had, but it is definitely a well made interpretation. Not many American brewers can really touch this style, from what I have seen. (This is an exception.)

Serving type: can

08-31-2012 04:33:07 | More by RblWthACoz

womencantsail

California

3.58/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark brown color with a khaki head. The nose is roasted malt, dark fruit, and some mild licorice. I get a bit of coffee, maybe a little bit of chocolate and grain sweetness. Light bitterness on the palate, presumably from the roasted malt. Licorice, burnt sugar, and dark fruits give some sweetness.

Serving type: can

08-07-2012 16:39:26 | More by womencantsail

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

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

16oz can. A purportedly traditional Baltic Porter, but with amped-up anise and licorice root additions. Sounds like a lark to me.

This beer pours a clear (I guess) very dark brown colour, with slight reddish cola highlights, and two fingers of puffy, foamy tan head, which leaves just a low berm of lace around the glass as it quickly sinks away.

It smells of sharply roasted caramel malt, earthy, kind of vegetal black licorice root, a whiff of BBQ smoke, and an underlying sweet alcohol twinge. The taste is nicely toasted caramel malt, some more lingering meaty smokiness, semi-sweet exotic star anise, on an even keel with more mundane earthy black licorice, hints of savoury spice, a wavering underlying meek sourness, and understated, but eagerly supportive leafy, earthy hops.

The carbonation is sturdy, but at the same tame forgiving, the body a decently innocuous medium weight, and a tad creamy in its only rarely punctured smoothness. It finishes on the sweet side, that aspect of the licorice/anise really holding sway, with the malt and undervalued hops quietly going about their business.

An agreeable old-world porter, jazzed up with the proclaimed, and indeed actual (yay, truth in advertising!) licorice boost, which plays out in an even-handed manner, so much so that I don't even really notice it after a while, which is another feather in this offering's collective cap. Worthy of a try, if not more.

Serving type: can

08-05-2012 04:01:09 | More by biboergosum

ADZA

Australia

3.58/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Another can offering and it pours a dark jet kola hue which leaves a creamy three finger head that stays and some clingy lacing,the smell is star anise,liquorice,aniseed,dark plums and roast coffee,the mouthfeel is medium bodied with nice medium carbonation and has tastes of liquorice,dark bittersweet chocolate,roasted malts,dark fruits and finished with a dark coffee bittersweetness and overall its definately a step up from my last offering from these guys and yeah i like it as its definately easy to drink to drink while still having some substance to it cheers.

Serving type: can

07-30-2012 10:18:35 | More by ADZA

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

473ml can poured into tulip 27/7/12

A dark cola nearing black, the cola look is extended but the gone in a flash foam that leaves no lace

S anise and licorice, some rootbeer and a little booze I don't get a whole lot else but its decent

T some char and smoke with some cold espresso to go with everything I smell, its an improvement over the nose

M a little thin but far from water, carbonation gives it some life and there's just a little heat

O decent beer with good flavors and decent in other areas, you must love licorice to enjoy this at all, my complaint is the licorice notes overpower the dark malts

reminds me of pop but the booze hitting my head reminds me that this is strong beer, a little over the top with the adjuncts but a respectable beer

Serving type: can

07-28-2012 05:19:45 | More by wordemupg