Vanilla Porter - Breckenridge Brewery

bulldogguy

Florida

4.04/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Good vanilla flavor but not over-powering sweet vanilla and tends to drop off a little towards the end of the glass. A little smokey.
Satisfying thick creamy flavor with a bit of a chocolate mid/after taste.. Nice flavor on tap which is how I like my beer. It is my go to beer at my neighborhood beer bar.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2013 20:48:54 | More by bulldogguy

NiceTaps

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap in a tulip glass.

A- Dark brown sugar, cola color that lets just a bit of light pass. Minimal head, mega rings of lacing.

S- Mild smokey porter aroma, toasty and sweet. Understated vanilla.

T- Oak, vanilla, liquid fireplace if I may.

M- Smooth light feel with good carbonation. The vanilla and low abv make it light and easy to drink.

O- good, easy drinking porter.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2012 21:25:44 | More by NiceTaps

TimmyL

3.03/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap into a pint
A- dark brown with a small tan head that doesn't last or lace.
S- as a uge vanilla fan, less vanilla than I hoped. some cocca and roasted malt but not much going on here.
T- follows the nose, not as strong with the vanilla but a nice porter nonetheless.
M- decent carbonation. medium body. low ABV and smooth. sessionable.
O- good but not great... could have a few without a problem, but wouldn't seek out.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2012 04:41:46 | More by TimmyL

bulldog91

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thought I ordered a vanilla porter, but kept waiting for the vanilla.
A very good porter - poured dark with a modest head and gave some vanilla smell, but barely. It was easy and light in the mouth and the taste was good. But I kept wanting more vanilla - not dominating it, but just a touch more would have made it phenomenal

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2012 15:31:46 | More by bulldog91

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.33/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on tap at Cork City Pub in Hoboken, NJ

A: Pours a clear very dark amber to medium brown in color. The beer has a thin (less than quarter finger) light tan head that reduces to a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Minimal amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate amounts of light coffee roast and roasted malts along with a strong flavor of artificial vanilla - very sweet.

T: Similar to the smell with a strong malt body of dark roasted and caramel malts upfront with a strong presence of artificial vanilla in the finish that lingers for quite a while.

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied with light to moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly thin/watery.

O: A little too light for the style in my opinion and the artificial vanilla flavor is a little overpowering for my tastes. The beer is not the easiest to drink and is nothing special in my opinion. Just average and probably not one I would order again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2012 01:35:05 | More by dbrauneis

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.45/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – Served a very deep brown nearly black color with a thin off white head. The head faded fast to give a light amount of lacing.

Smell – The smell was largely of roasted malt with a lighter ccoffee, nutty, and cocoa aromas. Mixed with these is a nice strong vanilla smell.

Taste – The taste begins largely of roasted malt with a lighter coffee flavor. Towards the middle, flavors of a light sweet caramel and some vanilla work their way into the flavor profile. The vanilla intensifies as the taste advances from the middle giving a rather strong flavor at the end. At the very end a bitter nutty flavor mixes with the bready roast vanilla flavor leaving a somewhat off bitter roasted flavor on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The creaminess of the body is only slightly above average with a carbonation level that is just below average. The carbonation is very good for the more roasted malt and sweet vanilla flavors, but the body is a little thinner then would be desired.

Overall – It had some nice roasty and vanilla flavors, but left a somewhat more bitter flavor on the tongue at the end due to the nuttiness that came in. Good, but nothing I would really go to on a high occasion.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2012 00:15:57 | More by Darkmagus82

PeeWee8

Florida

3.8/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: dark brown color with a hint of amber. Not much head but the little on it had nice vanilla flavors. Minimal lacing but probably due to tap.

S: smells like vanilla. Duh. Also smells a bit like baked bread. Welcoming and inviting aroma.

T: vanilla and oat flavor. Not overwhelming but full flavor. Tasty and pleasant

M: smooth first taste, crisp after taste. First time I had it one week ago tap was in better shape and it was thicker and delicious

O: quite enjoyable. Low ABV so can enjoy a few, price decent. Would recommend as good way to start the night.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2012 02:43:12 | More by PeeWee8

jneiswender

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this beer on tap at Birch Street Cafe in Rosindale, Boston, MA. Served cool in a pint glass. Thick tan head that leaves rings and a ruby read body. Smell of chocolate and smoke. Tastes like a cherry chocolate milkshake. Has a nice and slick mouthfeel. I would drink this beer again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2011 00:57:22 | More by jneiswender

JWHColdOne

Kansas

4.75/5  rDev +32.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on-tap at Fox and Hound. They have $2.50 pints on Tuesday's and I am a huge fan of trying their different beers because of that. I love this beer, it is flat out delicious and it is a beer that I find myself ordering again and again at this time of year. It is a great source to wash down wings with.

You don't smell the vanilla as strongly as you taste it. It is quite surprising how strong the vanilla is, but in a good way. I really enjoy this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2011 21:12:58 | More by JWHColdOne

rudolphjacksonm

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap on Friday, 12/16/11 at Capital Ale House in Richmond, VA.

A - Near-black with cream/tan head. Not much head retention or lacing. 3.5

S - Breaking down the smell of this porter was a doozy. Roasted malt, coffee, cacao, and a bit of firewood. Some hints of dried fruit as well. Simply put, the smell is heartwarming and sort of what you'd expect from a cabin burning a log fire. 4.0

T - Slight sweetness of vanilla with an interesting pine undertoe. Goes from sweet and vanilla-ey to bitter smoothly but quite fast. The most interesting part of this beer (arguably) is the aftertaste, which combines honey graham cracker, biscuit, more vanilla, and smoky roasted malt. 4.0

M - Good, smooth mouthfeel. Slight carbonation that really tingles the middle of the tongue. Smooth yet spicy. 4.0

O - Solid porter. I'd definitely recommend this to some friends.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 21:24:21 | More by rudolphjacksonm

gatornation

Minnesota

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

on tap 12 oz glass

A- pours a dark brown color with a khaki colored head a film of lacing on glass

S- vanilla bean, malt, milk chocolate

T- vanilla and coffee with milk chocolate malts and whipped cream with toasted malts a hint of hops

M- medium carbonation with a creamy latte coffee and malt finish

O- very easy to drink for a porter,low abv it has a coffee and cream taste that is good, dont want a sixer of this one but worth a try

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 04:32:01 | More by gatornation

Theitos

Louisiana

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

Poured in to the Vanilla Porter proprietary glass. The color is dark chestnut. The beer was too cold initially. As the beer warmed up, the vanilla aroma and taste started to really come out. The warmer the beer got the smoother and more complex the taste got. The vanilla is very pronounced but it doesn't feel like it gets in the way of the porter. Its got a nice flavor and it would be a nice beer to serve to a group that has various tastes.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2011 13:24:12 | More by Theitos

angelogarcia3

New York

4.43/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sapsuckers in Huntington poured this in a regular pilsner glass with a small head. The color is a dark caramel but it is clear and translucent. The vanilla bean is prominent on the nose along with hints of caramel. The first sip hits you with the vanilla flavor, slight effervensce, and is not very thick in the mouth. It finishes clean with a hint of chocolate. A great beer and at 4.7% can have a few while watching the Jets attempt to play football.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2011 19:56:15 | More by angelogarcia3

LeftonJackman

Ohio

3.1/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at The Happy Dog

A-Near opaque amber brown. Thin wispy head that was gone almost as quick as it appeared.

S-Vanilla bean (shock), anise. Somewhat muted although it might have just been me.

T-Vanilla, toasted earthy notes. A little clove?

M-Light carbonation, drinkable

O-I remember this beer being better. Had it months ago and really felt it had more to it. Could be a bad batch. Will review again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2011 22:07:12 | More by LeftonJackman

MsRif

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had on-tap at the Breckenridge Blake St. Brewpub.

Poured a lovely dark brown color with a light tan/beige head. Good retention and lacing. Aroma is of roasty malts, vanilla, dark chocolate and perhaps a touch of coffee. Tastes well-balanced with roasty malts, strong vanilla, chocolate and coffee undertones. Finishes dry.

Mouthfeel is medium-bodied and smooth. Low carbonation which is just fine for this brew. Vanilla was strong, but I liked that characteristic and it was balanced well with the other flavors in this brew. I would definitely have it again! Recommended!

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2011 00:13:16 | More by MsRif

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.88/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

poured a deep mahogany color with almost no head. smells like vanilla beans, fresh and sweet and potent, faint coffee roasted malt fumes as well. love the taste, super strong vanilla happening, which people have critiqued, but i find it perfect for this beer, a really nice bold falvor without beeing rot your teeth sugary. theres a nice long finish on this one as well, where the flavors continue to evolve. mouthfeel a bit thin for a porter in my book, but other than that a real interesting porter. i could see this in an icecream float! mmm

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2011 16:33:22 | More by StonedTrippin

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had a pint tonight while having dinner at Birch Street Bistro in Roslindale. Served on tap in a standard pint glass. Dark brown colored body. Not much head for a porter; a bit thin. Smell had slight notes of coffee and wood. I enjoyed the taste, but it might not be for everyone. The flavor of vanilla is very prominent. While I enjoyed it, there was a time or two while I was drinking where I thought I'd like it more if it was toned down a bit. Mouthfeel was also on the thin side for a porter, which was kind of a letdown. An interesting beer if you enjoy unique versions of porters. May be better suited to drink after dinner or with dessert, rather than with an entree.

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2011 03:19:24 | More by morebeergood

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

4.13/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From memory, had it at Scotty's Brewhouse in West Lafayette.

Poured and presented with a quarter inch foamy head. Was a deep chocolatey color and very appealing to the eye in the glass. Laced perfectly the whole way down.

A complex taste. My first experience with a porter. Taste hits with a blend of chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and a general sweet flavor. Right at the end, there is a little hops bitterness, but not much. Leaves you wanting more with each drink.

Surprisingly light on the palate. I could drink a few of these and not feel full or drunk, a good combo.

Overall, I may have a new favorite pint when I go to Scotty's. It's a shame this is a seasonal fall/winter brew, I'll miss this one when it goes away.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2011 02:01:54 | More by boilermakerbrew

Chickenhawk9932

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured dark brown - mahogany - with a tan head, little retention.

Smelled largely of vanilla, hard to detect much else, some coffee and chocolate notes.

Taste is vanilla - it dominates the scene- there is a nice porter here with subtle coffee & chocolate notes, but the aftertaste again is all vanilla. It has a very nice creamy mouthfeel, but is too much vanilla for me.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2011 23:39:53 | More by Chickenhawk9932

Bfarr

Washington

3.7/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown with a thin tan head, light orange highlights with no retention or lacing. Vanilla and light chocolate aroma. Strong vanilla with roasted and dark chocolate notes and an overall strong sweetness. Sharp yet robust feel.

I will start by saying I am rather preferential to vanilla. That being said I did rather enjoy this beer although I will say I wasn’t sure whether this was brewed with vanilla or infused with vanilla. The vanilla is so strong it seems fairly artificial. However, I still liked it overall although the feel left something to be desired for a porter.

Serving type: on-tap

07-08-2011 22:00:03 | More by Bfarr

mjgooner13

New York

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Nice dark brown color, 1 finger head which disappears quickly but leaves some lacing

S- Getting loads of vanilla and some smoky/roasted notes...quite enjoyable

T- Getting some coffee flavors which is a nice surprise since i didn't get any of that in the nose. Vanilla is next and followed by the roasted flovors from the nose. The beer's flavors become more pronounced as it sits and is def a nice flavorful drink.

M- Def a little on the heavy side as you might expect from a porter, but it a smooth drink and rolls through the mouth.

O- Nice vanilla, coffee and roasted flavors...not the best i've every had but still very good. I will certainly have this again at some point.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2011 14:33:51 | More by mjgooner13

SkunkWorks

New York

3.4/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at the Blind Tiger in New York City. Served in a pint glass. Review from notes.

Look: dark brown with red highlights, a thin beige head, not much retention or lacing. Looks good.

Smell: vanilla bean stands out with a bit of malt behind it but otherwise not much. As a fan of vanilla porters, the smell is inviting.

Taste: a bit of a let down from the smell. Tastes strongly of vanilla extract. The malt doesn't come through, unfortunately. The vanilla doesn't complement the base beer well and it seems to overpower it rather than add complexity.

Feel: a little too light for me, light carbonation. It would be very sessionable except by the time I'm halfway through this beer, I'm nursing it.

Overall: an okay vanilla porter, but its really lacking. More body, more roastiness, a creamier mouthfeel, and a few other things could help this beer improve. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2011 03:18:30 | More by SkunkWorks

jkrich

Indiana

3.43/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Came to my table a thick looking, nearly black and opaque color with a nice foamy off-white head.

I was slightly disappointed - a slightly muddled sweet aroma. As this was on tap and presumably fresh, I was expecting a little more aroma.

The begins with a solidly sweet flavor with a noticeable licorice flavor coming through. Surprisingly, there was not much roastiness evident and little bittersweet chocolate I have become to expect. The faint vanilla taste does complement the overall flavor.

The body is solidly medium with a slightly chewy mouthfeel. The licorice lingers on the palate a little too long for my taste. The carbonation was very restrained.

This was a rather unique porter, but not the style of porter I prefer. It is still well worth trying.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2011 20:44:44 | More by jkrich

PicoPapa

Connecticut

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

Pours a black color with brown hues and a half inch of light brown head. Some lacing. Aromas of roasted malts, vanilla, earthiness and brown sugar. Taste is a big amount of vanilla upfront with a lot of sweetness. Brown sugar as well. Somewhat malty but mostly this one tastes of the vanilla. A bit earthy at the end. This one is pretty sweet but still decent. Overall, i'd get this one every once in awhile. Not bad, not great.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2011 20:50:53 | More by PicoPapa

ermeis06

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a nice dark brown/black like a porter should, with a thin, creamy head and nice lacing.

S: You can smell the vanilla and the maltiness of the beer. It isn't overpowering though.

T: This is a very mellow porter. It has a good vanilla flavor, but not too much carmelized/burnt malt.

M: This is on the lighter side for a porter in my opinion. Not as full bodied as I hoped for. But that makes it very drinkable.

Overall, I liked it. There was a nice balance of vanilla in the beer. I had hoped for something a little heartier, but it was still good. Good blend of malty sweetness.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2011 16:39:55 | More by ermeis06