Arctic Blast Vanilla Porter - Vertigo Brewing

KajII

North Carolina

3.33/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

[Suggested Glassware: Nonic Pint]

The pour was a very dark brown with an average (1-2 finger) light tan frothy head that reduced down to a thin film and medium collar with fair runny lacing.

The aroma was of a roasted dark bread malt and a doughy leathery yeast with notes of vanilla, milk chocolate and a mild roasted coffee scent.

The taste was very lightly sweet and a bit malty with a hint of milk chocolate from the start, with the finish being a tad bitter and having an ever so light hint of vanilla with a mild coffee presence towards the end. The flavor lasted an average duration following the swallow with a mild choco-roastiness that was left to linger.

Mouthfeel was just under medium in body with a slightly watery yet dry texture and a medium carbonation.

Overall this was a decent Porter with a good smooth drinkability. Although I did find it rather light on vanilla, it did however posses a nice creamy chocolate taste...

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Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 18:00:11 | More by KajII

thebouch01

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -10.7%

03-17-2013 01:48:18 | More by thebouch01

Spikester

Oregon

3.11/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Dark brown with a one finger tan head and moderate lacing.
Smell is dank chocolate coffee with a tang of vanilla bean.
Taste is dark malts with a kiss of coffee and a hint of vanilla bean.
Mouthfeel is a bit thin and fully carbonated.
Overall a good effort. The vanilla is there but mostly in the background. The finish is moderately dry and slightly bitter.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 07:08:40 | More by Spikester

mrkinnex

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +23.6%

01-16-2013 21:52:21 | More by mrkinnex

Reidrover

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle from "Lifesource" in Salem OR. $5.49. Says 4.8% alc Lovely beer to look at midnight black body with a really nice thick and frothy tan head. Good aromas of roasted oats and nice natural seeming vanilla. Good rich creamy roasted malt taste, with just the touch of vanilla again very natural,milk chocolate some saltiness. Great Palate is thick and very smooth good stuff. I really liked this one smooth and thick but with a relatively low alcohol % i also appreciated that the vanilla was understated, but clearly present. A great many "Vanilla Porters" over due the vanilla.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 04:06:33 | More by Reidrover

GeneralDow

Oregon

4/5  rDev +9.9%

12-25-2012 01:26:11 | More by GeneralDow

CoryR

Oregon

3/5  rDev -17.6%

01-02-2012 00:32:51 | More by CoryR

msubulldog25

Oregon

3.48/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

First tried this beer at 2009 Holiday Ale Fest, it made a good impression. Here it is, first week of March and spring is in the air - yet a keg was just tapped at EastBurn. $2 Tuesday bargain pint.

A: Deep brown, but far from black; can see some light filtering through the top 1/2". Scant ivory film (the 'plus' side is an almost-headless pint filled to nearly overflowing), a few shards of lace.

S: Dusty cocoa and a fairly robust vanilla scent. Just shy of being overbearing. Definitely sweet, fudgy malt and a dash of 'holiday' spice.

T: Vanilla bean strikes a chord right away, although it's probably a little less 'natural' (re: more 'extract') than I'd like. Otherwise it's got plenty of chocolate roast, a nutty/caramel quality and indistinct spices towards the finish. Enough bitterness to avoid being TOO sweet.

M: Smooth and extra creamy, though maybe some evidence of being under-carbonated (have found that to be an issue before at this pub). Light-medium body, cool and slick.

D: Enjoyable flavor (I admit that vanilla is among my favorites). A little too far over the top with vanilla in my opinion; the result is a 'one and done' dessert beer that doesn't real plead much to be sipped again. Might have on occasion, at best - lost it's appeal halfway through the pint.

[aside] I recall this being better (though not substantially so) when sampled 3 months back. This is noteworthy, though the presence of it on draught tonight (late Winter) should tell me it's still fresh enough for a valid review.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2010 04:06:27 | More by msubulldog25

Docer

Washington

4.05/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this at the Holiday Ale Festival, and quite liked it.

- Dark dark brown... light mocha head... down quickly to a bubbly coffee look.

- Smelled of roasted chocolate malts, little whiffs of vanilla and sweetness... light brown sugars.... light grassy bitter hop....

- Smooth and light porter, the way it ought to be.. and with a subtle and not overdone vanilla presence that even adds to its greatness. A very smooth porter, and one that makes you want to keep drinking it.

- Great carbonation... thin to medium bodied... slightly dry... not so chewy...

- Drinks very well, and certainly not too sweet and thick. A very light and flavorful porter that is extremely well balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2009 01:28:51 | More by Docer